March 12, 2025: Former Indian captain Mithali Raj lauded Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for their impressive win against Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025. RCB’s victory not only boosted their morale but also helped Delhi Capitals (DC) secure a direct spot in the final. Raj highlighted RCB’s strong performance, particularly in the batting department, where Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, and Georgia Wareham played key roles in setting a formidable total of 199. She also commended the team’s disciplined bowling attack, which restricted MI to 188/9, ensuring a comfortable win for RCB.
Raj shared her analysis of RCB’s performance in their last match against MI, emphasizing how the team came into the match with confidence despite a recent loss. “RCB came into this game knowing they had nothing to lose. They were coming off a loss, but in their previous match, they nearly chased down 225, which showed how well their batting had come together. Today, they posted a strong total of 199. It was great to see Smriti Mandhana back among the runs, alongside impressive performances from Richa Ghosh and Georgia Wareham. The last five overs were crucial, where they scored over 70 runs, finishing their innings on a high. That final flourish made a huge difference. On this wicket, 199 is a competitive total. While it is chaseable, disciplined bowling with tight lines can make it difficult for the opposition. RCB executed their plans well today, and that reflected in the outcome,” Mithali Raj said while speaking on JioHotstar.
Looking ahead to the upcoming eliminator match between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Giants, Raj anticipated an exciting contest. The match will take place at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday, March 13. Raj noted that both teams have displayed strength in both chasing and defending totals, which makes the match a fascinating strategic battle.
“It’s going to be a very interesting match. From Mumbai Indians’ perspective, both times they won the toss—once they successfully defended a total, and the other time, they failed to chase. So, it will be interesting to see what they decide if they win the toss this time. On the other hand, Ashleigh Gardner has always opted to chase whenever she has won the toss. However, the Gujarat Giants have also secured a win while defending. It will be fascinating to see how both captains approach their strategy on this pitch, especially with a high-pressure eliminator at stake,” the 42-year-old added.
The eliminator match promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams aiming to secure their place in the final and fight for the WPL 2025 title.