WPL 2024/25: Match Report of 20th Game Between MI-W and RCB-W on March 11, 2025

Royal Challengers Bengaluru scored 199 for 3 (Mandhana 53, Perry 49*, Ghosh 36, Matthews 2-37) defeating Mumbai Indians, who made 188 for 9 (Sciver-Brunt 69, Rana 3-26), by 11 runs

For MI, Sciver-Brunt carried the team following the dismissals of Hayley Matthews and Harmanpreet Kaur, but once she was out for a remarkable 69 off 35 in the 15th over, MI found themselves needing too many runs (71) in too little time (31 balls) with no strong players left to support her.

Meghana ignites the innings, Mandhana accelerates

With nothing to lose in this season, RCB launched a bold attack in their final game, audaciously targeting MI’s top bowlers. Meghana struck Sciver-Brunt for two fours in the second over, while Mandhana finished the third over with a four followed by a spectacular straight six against Shabnim Ismail. Meghana continued her assault on Matthews with 4, 6, and 4, but Matthews responded with a quick 26 off 13 before getting dismissed by a bouncer clocked at 102.8 km/h that she top-edged to short fine leg.

RCB wrapped up the powerplay at 53 for 1, while Perry capitalized on MI’s blunders by living to tell the tale after being given three chances. Amelia Kerr found herself being hit all over the park, starting with Perry’s boundary off her first delivery, followed by Mandhana’s six, a flick for four, and a swing down the ground that resulted in a costly 22-run over. Just as MI managed to reduce the run rate from 9.62 to under 8.50 per over, Mandhana struck two consecutive aerial fours, reaching her fifty from 35 deliveries.

MI’s sloppy fielding lets RCB accelerate

Kerr’s subsequent over was even more eventful. She let Perry off the hook on 16 when she failed to catch a ball hit straight back to her. Moments later, Mandhana (on 52) skied a sweep shot, only for Sanskriti Gupta to drop an easy catch at midwicket. While this misfortune didn’t cost MI dearly, Mandhana soon found long-off on her next delivery.

However, Perry’s let-off was significant. She launched Ismail for a six in the following over and hit Parunika Sisodia for a four after Ghosh had managed to hit two fours in the 14th over. Ghosh was also playing with fire. She mis-hit a couple of swings, then tore into Ismail, scoring 15 runs from one over, including a reverse-scoop for four, a powerful straight six, and a scoop over the keeper’s head. Ghosh ultimately contributed 36 off 22, while Perry and Wareham continued to pile on the runs.

The pair targeted Amanjot Kaur, who had bowled tightly, conceding just nine off her first three overs, striking four boundaries, including a simple catch dropped by Sciver-Brunt at deep midwicket, distracted by the spidercam. Perry was dropped on the first ball of the last over bowled by Kerr, which went for four runs. Wareham showcased her skills by sweeping and reverse-sweeping Kerr for 4, 2, 4, and 6, bringing RCB’s total to 199 with her dazzling 31 not out off just 10 balls, contributing to 65 runs scored off the last four overs.

Kerr falters again, Rana delivers the blows

MI required a significant boost, trailing at 45 for 2 during the powerplay. Harmanpreet narrowly avoided an lbw appeal from WPL newcomer Heather Graham and found gaps with two confident boundaries. However, Mandhana reintroduced the crafty Kim Garth, who deceived the MI captain with a clever back-of-the-hand leg cutter, resulting in an edge that was well caught by Ghosh.

Sciver-Brunt keeps the scoreboard ticking

Despite the fall of their captain, MI maintained their momentum, courtesy of Sciver-Brunt. She often adjusted to target the slightly shorter boundary nearby and consistently hit boundaries. She dispatched Wareham for a straight boundary, took consecutive fours off Graham, and similarly treated Rana, scoring 12 in an over. But shortly after hitting Perry for a four and a six in the 15th over, she mishit an offcutter, leading to her dismissal.

The Sajana scare for RCB