Smriti Mandhana-led Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women defeated Harmanpreet Kaur's Mumbai Indians Women by 11 runs in the final group game of the ongoing edition of the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 which was being played at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai, on March 11 (Tuesday). MI with this loss will now have to face Gujarat Giants in the Eliminator. On the other hand, Delhi Capitals have once again qualified for the Final of the tournament.
RCB post 199 runs on board
Smriti Mandhana led his team from front as sher scored a crucial 53 off 37 and then cameo knocks from Sabbhineni Meghana (26 off 13), Ellyse Perry (49 off 38) followed bu blazing boost from Richa Ghosh (36 off 22 balls) and Georgia Wareham's 31 off just 10 balls helped the defending champions who were already eliminated from the tournament to post 199/3 in 20 overs.
MI fail to chase
Nat Sciver-Brunt with her 69 off 35 balls was the sole performer for MI. There were some late hammering from Sajeevan Sajana who scored 23 off 12 but it was not enough to take her team over the line. As a result MI lost the match by 11 runs. They missed the chance to directly qualify for the Finals of the tournament.
"This ground is only about saving the boundaries. The last two overs we gave 40 and that cost us, apart from that we did well in the game. We saw in the last game 180 was chaseable. The way Sajana was batting we had hope she will win the game for us but good to see that other batters also contributed. Outfield is fast and we have to stop boundaries, but some really good plans while we were bowling," said Harmanpreet Kaur following the loss.
"(on her wrist) I'm fine. I will be fine. (on Kerr opening) We still have one more day for the next game and we all will sit and think about that. (on the Eliminator) We need to stay calm and stay in the moment. Cricket is a game about winning small moments. We have a great record against them but they are playing well. (on Amanjot) She is someone who is working in three departments. Really happy with the way she is performing and she is a key player for us," she added.
Brief scores: RCB W 199/3 in 20 overs (Smriti Mandhana 53, Ellyse Perry 49*; Hayley Matthews 2/37) beat MI W 188/9 in 20 overs (Nat Sciver-Brunt 69; Sneh Rana 3/26, Kim Garth 2/33) by 11 runs