Smriti Mandhana’s RCB Ends Season on a High, DC Clinches Top Spot in WPL
Mumbai, March 12: Delhi Capitals (DC) have stormed into the Women’s Premier League (WPL) final for the third consecutive time after Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pulled off a thrilling 11-run victory over Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Brabourne Stadium on Tuesday.
The high-scoring contest saw RCB successfully defend their formidable total of 199, leaving MI struggling to chase down the target. While the win helped RCB finish their campaign on a high, it turned into an unexpected boon for DC, who retained their position at the top of the table and advanced directly to the grand finale.
MI, finishing second, will now face Gujarat Giants in the playoff eliminator on Thursday at the same venue, fighting for their spot in the final.
RCB’s Spin Trap Derails Mumbai’s Chase
Chasing a stiff 200-run target, MI openers Hayley Matthews and Amelia Kerr looked to provide a fiery start, stitching together 27 runs in 3.2 overs. However, RCB captain Smriti Mandhana played her cards right, introducing off-spinner Sneh Rana early to halt the scoring momentum. The move worked instantly as Rana dismissed the dangerous Matthews for 19 off 16 balls.
Nat Sciver-Brunt looked set to turn the game around with a counterattack, hitting consecutive boundaries. But Kerr (9) soon became Rana’s second victim, exposing MI’s middle order to pressure.
Despite the wickets tumbling at the other end, Sciver-Brunt kept MI’s hopes alive, bringing up her fourth fifty of the season with a stunning backfoot punch in the 14th over. Her fighting knock of 69 off just 35 balls, laced with boundaries, came to an abrupt end when she misread a slower delivery from Ellyse Perry, handing a simple return catch to the bowler.
RCB kept piling on the pressure as Rana continued to dismantle MI’s batting, dismissing Yastika Bhatia (4) cheaply. With the required run rate soaring, MI lost its grip on the chase, eventually falling short and handing RCB a morale-boosting win.
Mandhana, Perry, and Ghosh Power RCB to 199
Earlier, MI won the toss and opted to field first. RCB’s opening duo of Sabbhineni Meghana and Smriti Mandhana got off to a flying start, adding 41 runs in just 3.3 overs. Meghana fell for 26, but Mandhana continued her explosive innings, forming a solid partnership with Perry.
The RCB skipper brought up her half-century before getting dismissed soon after. However, Perry ensured the scoring didn’t slow down, smashing boundaries with the support of Richa Ghosh (36) and Georgia Wareham (31*). Their aggressive knocks propelled RCB to a daunting total of 199/3.
With this result, Delhi Capitals now await their challenger in the WPL final, while Mumbai Indians must regroup and battle Gujarat Giants for the remaining spot.
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