Smriti Mandhana-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) got off to a flyer in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2024 as they clinched a narrow victory over UP Warriorz by two runs at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on February 24. Sobhana Asha's broke UP Warriorz back with a match-winning fifer while Richa Ghosh and Sabbhineni Meghana dazzled with brilliant fifties for RCB's winning cause.
RCB set a target of 158 for Warriorz, concluding their innings with a flourish by scoring 12 runs in the final over. However, the match went down the wire where with Deepti Sharma on strike, UP Warriorz needed five runs just like MI vs DC's match in WPL 2024 opener. But just like Sajeevan Sajana, Deepti couldn't seal the win for her side as he could only score two runs off the last ball to see Warriorz going down against RCB, who had a forgetful season in the last edition.
Sobhana Asha scripts history
32-year-old Sobhana created history as she became the the first RCB bowler to claim a five-wicket haul in the WPL, delivering a spin bowling spectacle in the season's opening match against UP Warriorz. Asha's remarkable performance, with figures of 5/22, not only excited former RCB leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal but also played a pivotal role in securing a win for the home team in the new season, much to the home crowd's joy. Wearing a headband and with skillful wrist work, Sobhana Asha significantly shifted the match's momentum in RCB's favor, taking three wickets in a crucial over.
The match was a nail-biter, marking the second last-over thriller in consecutive days. Unlike the season opener where Mumbai Indians' Sajeevan Sajana clinched victory with a last-ball six against Delhi Capitals, UP Warriorz's Deepti Sharma couldn't replicate the feat against RCB, needing five runs off the last ball. UP Warriorz seemed in control thanks to a 77-run partnership between Grace Harris and Shweta Sehrawat for the fourth wicket. However, Asha's leg-spinning brilliance broke this stand in the 17th over, taking out both batters and the formidable Kiran Navgire, tilting the game towards RCB amid roaring support from the fans. Asha proved her knack for taking wickets in clusters, removing Tahila McGrath and Vrinda Dinesh in the ninth over, thereby rattling the UP Warriorz's top order. She joined the elite list as only the fourth bowler to achieve a five-wicket haul in the WPL's brief history.
Sophie Molineux, RCB's new addition, also made a significant impact by dismissing Alyssa Healy early in the second over and bowling a crucial 19th over, which kept Deepti Sharma and Poonam Khermnar in check.
Richa Ghosh, Sabbhineni Meghana masterful knocks for RCB
Earlier, Timely half-centuries from Richa Ghosh and Sabbhineni Meghana elevated RCB to a competitive score of 157 for six on a challenging pitch against UP Warriorz in their WPL clash. Contributing significantly, Meghana (53 off 44 balls, 7 fours, 1 six) and Richa (62 off 37 balls, 12 fours) combined for a pivotal 71-run partnership for the fourth wicket in just 50 deliveries, enabling a turnaround for RCB from a precarious position of 54 for three in 7.5 overs, after being put in to bat.
Both players adapted to the match conditions, gradually building their innings. Despite early chances at 20 and 22, Meghana capitalized on these opportunities, showcasing remarkable shots across the field.
A notable moment was her powerful loft over extra cover for six off the bowling of left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad, a highlight worth replaying.
Meghana reached her half-century in 40 balls, while Richa quickly followed, hitting pacer Saima Thakor for 16 runs in the 14th over and reaching her fifty in 31 balls with a boundary against Tahlia McGrath. Their impressive partnership ended when Gayakwad successfully stumped Meghana through Alyssa Healy.
Before this crucial partnership, the top-order batters of RCB, including captain Smriti Mandhana, Sophie Devine, and Ellyse Perry, faced difficulties adjusting to the slow pace of the pitch, ultimately losing their wickets as they tried to increase the run rate.
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