Royal Challengers Bangalore qualified for the playoff stage as they registered a commanding win over Mumbai Indians played at Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi on 12th March 2024. It was RCB’s first victory over MI in WPL history. They lost their previous this year by 7 wickets.
RCB captain Smriti Mandhana won the toss and decided to field first. Hayley Mathews and Sajana opened the innings for Mumbai Indians. Sophie Devine got the initial breakthrough dismissing Mathews with a good catch by Ellyse Perry. Mathews and Sajana added 43 runs for the opening wicket.
Ellyse Perry started the slide for Mumbai Indians getting rid of Sajana and Harmanpreet Kaur off successive deliveries. She then produced a peach to get rid of Amelia Kerr via review for LBW. The umpire gave it not out but on review it was overturned to out. She then stunned Amanjot Kaur with another stunning delivery to leave Mumbai Indians in big trouble.
Perry shattered the stumps of Pooja Vastkar which left Mumbai Indians in tatters. She then dismissed Nat Sciver Brunt to finish with figures of 6 for 15 in 4 overs. It was a brilliant bowling effort as Royal Challengers Bangalore bowled Mumbai Indians for just 113 in 19 overs.
Chasing 114 runs to win, it was not an ideal start as Sophie Molineux, Smriti Mandhana and Sophie Devine fell cheaply. Ellyse Perry looked in control putting the pressure on Mumbai Indians bowlers. Nat Sciver Brunt dropped a sitter to get rid of Richa Ghosh. Perry and Ghosh kept the scoreboard ticking, not allowing the MI bowlers. Both batters ensured that Royal Challengers Bangalore won the match by 7 wickets with 5 balls to spare. Perry and Ghosh added unbeaten 76 runs for 4th wicket.
Ellyse Perry was named the player of the match for her 6 for 15 and unbeaten 40 runs that helped RCB qualify for the eliminator. They will now play Mumbai Indians in the eliminator.
Ellyse Perry registered the best figures in WPL history:
Ellyse Perry registered the best figures in Women’s Premier League history with 6 for 15 against Mumbai Indians. She looked threatening with the ball not allowing the batters to score runs on a pitch that was helpful for the spinners.
She surpassed Sobhana Asha’s figures of 5 for 22 in this year’s WPL against UP Warriorz at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. Before this match, Marizanne Kapp held the record for best figures. She grabbed 5 for 15 in 4 overs against Gujarat Giants at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai on 11th March 2023.
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