Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) held their nerves to knock out the defending champions, Mumbai Indians
(MI), in a thrilling Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 eliminator to secure their spot in the final against the Delhi Capitals. Sobhana defended 12 runs in the final over to help RCB secure a thrilling 5-run win and reach their first-ever WPL final.
Captain Smriti Mandhana could not control her emotions after the thrilling win and was seen in tears. Perry, who played a crucial role in the encounter with both bat and ball, came straight to her with joy before giving her a tight hug to celebrate the moment.
Chasing 136 for a spot in their second consecutive final, MI collapsed from needing 43 off 30 to 20 off 18 to mysteriously lose the plot and the match by five runs, with the last three overs generating only 14 runs for three wickets. At one stage, MI appeared to be on track for an easy win, thanks to a 52-run stand between skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Nat Sciver-Brunt. However, RCB spinners maintained there A game under pressure to script a memorable turnaround that started in the 18th over, bowled by Shreyanka Patil.
Patil castled Kaur in her final over to sound the pressure bells in MI camp as RCB tightened the clamps. Sophie Molineux then produced a four-run 19th over that claimed the wicket of Sajeevan Sajana, leaving Asha Sobhana with 12 to defend in the last over. The 32-year-old gave only six runs while accounting for Pooja Vastrakar, causing pandemonium in both the 27,000-strong crowd and the RCB dugout.
Opting to bat first, RCB made a bold decision, especially considering their recent successful chase against MI at the same venue. The inclusion of Devine at the top of the order paid off as RCB started aggressively, hitting four boundaries in the opening overs.
Despite a strong comeback from MI, who managed to take three quick wickets, RCB’s batting lineup showed grit. Richa Ghosh and Sophie Molineux attempted to accelerate the innings but fell short. However, Ellyse Perry, batting at No. 3, stood tall amidst the pressure. Following her remarkable six-wicket haul in a previous match against MI, Perry continued her exceptional form by scoring a vital half-century, keeping the scoreboard ticking and capitalising on any loose deliveries. Georgia Wareham provided valuable support towards the end, helping RCB post a competitive total of 135 runs.
Mumbai Indians’ response was cautious, with the team managing 37 runs for the loss of one wicket during the powerplay. Perry’s brilliance with the ball saw her dismiss Yastika Bhatia for 19, bringing Nat Sciver-Brunt and Harmanpreet Kaur to the crease. While Kaur narrowly escaped a run-out early in her innings, Sciver-Brunt looked comfortable before being dismissed by Wareham. Amelia Kerr then joined forces with Kaur, and together they built a promising partnership that seemed to steer MI towards victory.
However, RCB’s never-say-die attitude shone through in the crucial moments. With disciplined bowling and sharp fielding, they managed to apply continuous pressure, leading to a nail-biting finish. Despite needing a manageable run rate towards the end, MI faltered under pressure, allowing RCB to clinch a memorable win by 6 runs and advance to the WPL 2024 final against Delhi Capitals. This match was a testament to the unpredictable nature of cricket, where determination and teamwork can turn the tide in crucial moments.