Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru ended their Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 season on a positive note, defeating Mumbai Indians by 11 runs in the last league match of the tournament. Despite failing to qualify for the playoffs, RCB’s win denied Mumbai Indians a chance to directly qualify for the final.
Mumbai won the toss and chose to bowl first, however, RCB’s batting lineup fired on all cylinders, setting up a strong total of 199. The opening duo of Sabbhineni Meghana and Smriti Mandhana set the tone with a quick-fire start, putting Mumbai’s bowlers on the back foot from the outset. Ellyse Perry remained unbeaten on 49 and Richa Ghosh chipped in with a 22-ball 36. Georgia Wareham’s explosive 10-ball 31* provided the perfect finish to RCB’s innings.
In response, Mumbai Indians struggled to chase down the target. Nat-Sciver Brunt was the lone warrior, scoring a 35-ball 69, however, the rest of the team failed to provide adequate support. RCB’s bowling unit was led by Sneh Rana’s three wicket haul, while Ellyse Perry and Kim Garth contributed with two each, helping RCB secure a hard-fought victory.
Highlights from the match:
Smriti Mandhana – 53(37)
RCB skipper, Smriti Mandhana played a classic knock, scoring a fluent 53 off 37 balls, studded with six fours and three sixes. She provided a solid start for RCB with a 41-run opening stand alongside Sabbhineni Meghana. Mandhana’s innings was punctuated by authoritative stroke play, notably against Amelia Kerr. In the 8th over, she piled pressure on Kerr with a magnificent lofted six, followed by a powerful flick for four. She continued her assault, smashing another six over deep mid-wicket. However, her aggressive approach led to her dismissal in the 12th over, as she mistimed a lofted shot off Kerr, finding Shabnim Ismail at long-off.
Ellyse Perry – 49*(38) & 2/53(4)
Ellyse Perry delivered a stellar performance for RCB, remaining unbeaten on 49 off 38 balls, striking five fours and a six, also surpassing 9000 runs in the format. She showcased her class with a flurry of well-timed shots, including a powerful extra-cover drive and a fortunate boundary off a dropped catch at deep square leg. Perry anchored the innings brilliantly, building a crucial 50-run partnership with both Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh. With the ball, Perry struck twice, removing in form Nat Sciver-Brunt with a clever off-cutter and later dismissing Sajana Sajeevan, effectively sealing the game.
Georgia Wareham – 31*(10) & 1/29(4)
Georgia Wareham played a blistering cameo, smashing an unbeaten 31 off just 10 balls, including five fours and a six, to propel RCB to 199. She tore through Mumbai Indians’ bowling at the death, finishing the innings in style with a massive six over long-on. Her innovative stroke play, including a reverse slap and well-placed lofted shots, turned a strong total into an imposing one. Wareham also contributed with the ball, giving 29 runs in her four overs and dismissing Kamalini Gunalan with a well-judged catch at long-on.
Nat-Sciver Brunt – 69(35)
Nat Sciver-Brunt played a breathtaking knock for Mumbai Indians, smashing 69 off just 35 balls at a strike rate of 197.14, laced with nine fours and two sixes. She dominated the RCB bowlers with exquisite stroke play, toying with the field by mixing power and finesse. Her aggressive intent was evident as she dispatched Ellyse Perry for a massive six over long-on and followed it up with a powerful boundary past deep mid-wicket. She reached her WPL fifty in style but fell soon after, miscuing an off-cutter back to Perry in a crucial moment that dented MI’s chase. She also became the first player to surpass 400 runs in a single season, showcasing her exceptional form with 416 runs from 8 matches. Averaging an impressive 69.33 and striking at a blistering 151.82, she has set a new benchmark for excellence.
Sneh Rana – 3/26(4)
Sneh Rana delivered a match-winning performance, earning the Player of the Match award with figures of 3/26 in her four overs. She provided an early breakthrough by dismissing Hayley Matthews in the 4th over, forcing a mistimed shot to square leg. Rana struck again in the 6th over, removing Amelia Kerr, who miscued a lofted shot to extra cover. Her third wicket came in the 16th over when Yastika Bhatia misjudged a length ball, leading to a simple return catch. Her disciplined bowling disrupted Mumbai Indians’ chase, playing a key role in RCB’s victory.
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