Vadodara, Jan 26 (IANS) Mumbai Indians held off a shocking late assault from Richa Ghosh to beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 15 runs in an exhilarating 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) conflict on the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on Monday.
Chasing 200, RCB collapsed to 35/5 within the powerplay as Hayley Matthews and Shabnim Ismail tore by the highest order, leaving the facet in big hazard of struggling a giant hit to their internet run price. But Richa had different concepts, as she launched a panoramic counter-attack, smashing 90 off 50 balls with 10 fours and 6 sixes to almost pull off an unbelievable victory.
After crawling to 55 off 40 balls in 18 overs, Ghosh exploded within the closing two, plundering 35 runs to offer MI a real scare earlier than falling agonisingly in need of a win by being dismissed on the final ball, as RCB ended up making 184/9.
Apart from these final two overs, it was a commanding efficiency from MI, who’ve stored their playoff hopes alive. Hayley returned with figures of 3-10, because the win lifted MI again to second place on the factors desk.
Nat Sciver-Brunt had earlier struck the primary century in WPL’s historical past to propel MI to a formidable 199/4. After Hayley and Shabnim did the early harm, Richa discovered assist from Nadine de Klerk and Arundhati Reddy within the center order, however the early harm proved to be too extreme despite her late heroics.
The defeat marks RCB’s second consecutive loss after profitable their opening 5 matches. For MI, the victory supplied a vital confidence enhance in a must-win encounter, with their senior gamers delivering when it mattered most despite the late wobble.
The sport will discover a particular point out within the historical past books, as batting all-rounder Nat etched her identify into the document books by turning into the primary batter to attain a century within the WPL. After 1059 days and 82 matches, the WPL lastly witnessed its first centurion, and fittingly, it was achieved by Nat, who additionally registered her maiden T20 hundred.
Walking in early, she absorbed the strain earlier than shifting gears with chic strokeplay and scorching timing to dismantle the RCB assault in an unbeaten 57-ball century laced with 16 fours and a six. Partnering with Hayley, who made a 39-ball 56, Nat ensured MI surged past the earlier highest whole on the venue this season.
The duo stitched a 131-run stand, with boundaries flowing freely as soon as they settled in. Though Hayley departed after getting her fifty, Nat carried on to achieve the magical three-figure mark within the closing over.
RCB’s bowling unit endured a tricky outing, with solely Lauren Bell managing some management and choosing 2-21 in her 4 overs. The remainder of them struggled with their lengths, both too full or too quick, and have been punished accordingly by MI’s batters.
Sent in to bat first, Sajeevan Sajana struck an early boundary however was trapped lbw by Lauren Bell within the third over. Nat then joined Hayley, and the pair stitched collectively a commanding stand. The duo took time to settle earlier than opening up within the center overs.
Sciver-Brunt’s fluent strokeplay, particularly by the leg-side, and Hayley’s acceleration noticed MI surge past the 100-run mark within the twelfth over. Hayley accomplished her half-century however was bowled by Lauren for 56, ending a high-quality partnership that had put MI firmly in management.
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur stored the tempo excessive with a brisk 20 off 12 balls, hanging two fours and a six, earlier than falling to Nadine de Klerk. Amanjot Kaur chipped in briefly, however the highlight remained on Sciver-Brunt, who continued to dominate the RCB assault.
Boundaries flowed freely as Sciver-Brunt raced into the 90s. She introduced up her maiden T20 hundred and the first-ever century in WPL historical past within the penultimate over with a single by long-off and completed unbeaten on 100 off 57 balls. Though Amanjot was castled by Shreyanka Patil, MI closed on 199/4, the very best whole on the venue this season.
MI struck early with the ball when Shabnim had Grace Harris, who earlier hit Sciver-Brunt for a hat-trick of fours, within the third over, by having caught behind by Rahila Firdous. Hayley compounded RCB’s woes by dismissing skipper Smriti Mandhana and Georgia Voll in fast succession. More cheer was in retailer for MI when Gautami Naik was bowled by Shabnim, whereas Radha Yadav fell for a two-ball duck to Hayley, as RCB have been 5 down in power-play.
Nadine de Klerk tried a fightback with 28 off 20 balls, hanging a six and three boundaries, however was undone by Amelia Kerr’s googly within the eleventh over. When Arundhati Reddy and Sayali Satghare departed in successive deliveries from Amanjot Kaur, it left RCB at 129/8.
At the opposite finish, Richa fought a lone battle. She started cautiously however accelerated after the midway mark, slicing and lofting for her boundaries. She reached her half-century with a six over sweeper cowl off Nat after which launched a shocking counterattack within the loss of life overs.
Ghosh smashed three consecutive sixes off Amanjot Kaur within the 18th over, adopted by two extra maximums and a 4 off Kerr within the penultimate over, elevating hopes of an unbelievable win. But she was finally caught by Sanskriti Gupta off Amelia for a powerful 90, as RCB’s problem resulted in one other defeat for them.
Brief scores:
Mumbai Indians 199/4 in 20 overs (Nat Sciver-Brunt 100 not out, Hayley Matthews 56; Lauren Bell 2-21, Shreyanka Patil 1-34) beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru 184/9 in 20 overs (Richa Ghosh 90, Nadine de Klerk 28; Hayley Matthews 3-10, Shabnim Ismail 2-25) by 15 runs
–IANS
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