Twin half-centuries from skipper Smriti Mandhana and Ellyse Perry, followed by collective performance from the bowling unit, ensure RCB sign-off the home leg on a winning note.
Royal Challengers Bangalore led by skipper Smriti Mandhana suffered two straight losses against the Delhi Capitals and the Mumbai Indians after starting their season with back-to-back victories against UP Warriorz and Gujarat Giants. The UP Warriorz on the other hand, had a contrasting start to their season with a couple of defeats against RCB and DC before clinching back-to-back victories against MI and GG.
The UP Warriorz skipper Alyssa Healy won the toss and opted to field first. Left-arm spinner Ekta Bisht replaced Shreyanka Patil in the playing 11 for RCB. The Warriorz played with the same side as their last encounter. After being inserted to bat first, the openers got off to a flying start, scoring at almost 10 runs an over before Anjali Sarvani broke the 51-run opening stand to provide the first breakthrough for UP Warriorz.
Ellyse Perry joined skipper Smriti Mandhana at the crease and the duo stitched a massive 95-run partnership for the 2nd wicket, setting a solid platform for a power-packed finish. Deepti Sharma picked up the big wicket of the opposition skipper Smriti Mandhana to provide the much-needed breakthrough for the UP Warriroz. Wicket-keeper batter Richa Ghosh joined Ellyse Perry at the crease, and the duo stitched a crucial 42-run partnership for the 3rd wicket before Sophie Ecclestone picked up the wicket of Ellyse Perry to provide the breakthrough.
RCB eventually ended up with a total of 198/3 in their quota of overs. Skipper Smriti Mandhana (80 off 50 balls), Ellyse Perry (58 off 37 balls), wicket-keeper batter Richa Ghosh (21 off 10 balls), and Sabbhineni Meghana (28 off 21 balls) were the top performers with the bat for RCB. Sophie Ecclestone (4-0-22-1), and Deepti Sharma (4-0-30-1) were the top performers with the ball for the UP Warriroz.
Chasing a massive target of 199, UP Warriorz got off to a flying start, scoring over 11 runs an over before Sophie Devine broke the 47-run opening stand as she picked up the wicket of Kiran Navgire to provide the first breakthrough for RCB. Chamari Athapaththu joined skipper Alyssa Healy at the crease and the duo stitched a 16-run partnership for the 2nd wicket before Georgia Wareham picked up the big wicket of Chamari Athapaththu to provide the 2nd breakthrough for her side.
Grace Harris soon followed her back to the pavilion. Sophie Devine provided a big breakthrough for RCB. Shweta Sehrawat joined skipper Alyssa Healy at the crease and the duo failed to stitch a substantial partnership as they lost the wicket of Shweta Sehrawat. Sobhana Asha provided the 4th breakthrough for her side. Deepti Sharma joined skipper Alyssa Healy at the crease and the duo stitched a 24-run partnership for the 5th wicket before Sophie Molineux provided the massive breakthrough by dismissing the opposition skipper Alyssa Healy.
Poonam Khemanar joined Deepti Sharma at the crease and the duo stitched a crucial 41-run partnership for the 6th wicket before Sobhana Asha picked up the much-needed breakthrough for RCB. The UP Warriorz were eventually restricted to 175/8 in their quota of overs. Skipper Alyssa Healy (55 off 38 balls), Deepti Sharma (33 off 22 balls), and Poonam Khemnar (31 off 24 balls) were the top performers with the bat for UP Warriorz.
Sophie Molineux (4-0-29-2), Sobhana Asha (4-0-29-2), Sophie Devine (4-0-37-2), and Georgia Wareham (4-0-38-2) were the top performers with the ball for RCB. Skipper Smriti Mandhana was awarded the Player of the Match for her career-best, match-winning performance (80 off 50 balls) with the bat playing a crucial role in helping RCB sign off their home leg on a high note.
