In the Women’s Premier League (WPL), we have had many high intensity matches with the games going right down to the wire. This format of the game is widely considered as the batter’s game due to the very little margin for error for the bowlers. The batters like Smriti Mandhana, Sophie Devine have crossed the 90-run mark a couple of times, but have failed to get to the century landmark, a curse that was broken by Nat Sciver-Brunt against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. While batters who score big runs in the winning cause for their sides, it is also important we consider the batters who put up valiant efforts to fight right till the end even in a losing cause.
Meg Lanning 92 vs Gujarat Giants
In the 17th match of the 2025 edition of the WPL, Gujarat Giants had taken on Delhi Capitals. The Giants skipper, Ashleigh Gardner, had won the toss and chose to bowl first. The Capitals got off to a flying start with an 83-run opening partnership to start the proceedings. Later down the order, the runs had dried up and the skipper Meg Lanning took things to her own hand and scored a marvellous 92 off just 57 balls with 15 boundaries and a six. She helped the Capitals set a total of 178, but it wasn’t enough for the Giants as they chased it down in the final over with 3 balls to spare.
Tahlia McGrath’s 90* vs Delhi Capitals
In the 5th match of the 2023 edition of the WPL, Delhi Capitals and UP Warriorz locked horns. The Warriorz skipper Alyssa Healy had won the toss and decided to bowl first. The Capitals had an absolutely dominant day with the bat with Meg Lanning’s (70) half century supported by impactful cameos from Jemimah Rodrigues (34*) and Jess Jonassen (42*). With a total of 211 on board, it was a bit too much for the top order to handle. The Warriorz lost 3 wickets inside the powerplay and were struggling to find some momentum. Tahlia McGrath walked in to bat at number 5 and scored a scintillating 90 off just 50 balls, including 11 fours and 4 sixes. If she was supported by at least a batter at the other end, the result may have changed. Even though they lost by 42 runs, Tahlia’s heroics were appreciated by the cricketing fraternity.
Richa Ghosh 90 vs Mumbai Indians
In the 16th match of the 2026 edition of the WPL, Royal Challengers Bengaluru took on Mumbai Indians. The Bengaluru skipper, Smriti Mandhana, had won the toss and chose to bowl first. Mumbai Indians were off to one of their best batting performances of the season with a record-breaking hundred from Sciver-Brunt and a supporting fifty from Hayley Mathews. With a target of 200 set by the Indians, RCB crumbled under severe pressure. They lost half their side inside the powerplay and from there on, it was a mountain to climb. However, Richa put up a massive knock of 90 off just 50 balls, including 10 boundaries and 6 sixes in her innings. From 35/5, RCB finished just 15 shy, on 184/9. Her innings helped RCB to at least protect their NRR from reducing drastically.
Deepti Sharma’s 88* vs Gujarat Giants
In the 18th match of the 2024 edition of the WPL, the encounter between UP Warriorz and Gujarat Giants, the Giants skipper, Beth Mooney, had won the toss and decided to bat first. They put up a target of 153 for the Warriorz to chase from the 20 overs. UP Warriorz were off to their worst start possible, as they lost 4 wickets inside 4 overs, including the wickets of Healy, Athapaththu and Grace Harris. Then walked in Deepti Sharma to bat at number 4 for her side. She put up a solid fight, remaining unbeaten at 88 off just 60 balls, including 9 boundaries and 4 sixes. The Warriorz fell short of the target by 8 runs but the effort of Deepti Sharma was widely applauded.
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