UP Warriorz players celebrate after winning a Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 cricket match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Credit: PTI Photo
Bengaluru: It was a Monday but that didn’t stop the Royal Challengers Bengaluru faithful from packing the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, yet again showing their unflinching love for the franchise. And their passion was rewarded with a blockbuster offering but not the result they would have wanted as the UP Warriorz snuck home in a Super Over.
Bonafide superstar Ellyse Perry stole the show for the hosts in their fourth Women’s Premier League game of this season, the Australian’s measured 90 off 56 balls (9x4, 3x6) powering the hosts to a competitive 180/6 in 20 overs.
Warriorz then threatened to spoil Perry’s party as they pursued the target with solid intent, batter after batter showing no fear in playing the big shots. Although they kept losing wickets at regular intervals and looked cooked at one stage, they never lifted their foot off the pedal to keep RCB on their toes.
Defending champions RCB thought they had the game sealed when Warriorz were left with 18 runs to get but just one wicket in hand. However, lead pacer Renuka Singh was taken to the cleaners by Sophie Ecclestone, the right-hander smashing two successive sixes and a boundary to silence the home crowd.
It looked like RCB, like they did against Mumbai Indians, would snatch defeat from the hands of victory through listless bowling but somehow Renuka managed to regain her composure to concede just one run from her last two balls to push the contest into a Super Over. A word of praise for keeper Richa Ghosh for effecting a brilliant charging-in run-out.
RCB celebrated the moment like they won the contest while Warriorz looked a tad heart-broken at not having completed a sensational come-from-behind win. Garth then gave hope to RCB by giving away just 8 runs in the Super Over but that was quashed by Ecclestone.
The England left-arm spinner, following up on her batting fireworks, gave away just four runs, stifling RCB’s Ghosh and Mandhana. Showing no nerves whatsoever, she kept firing in those deliveries at pace and accuracy, giving no room for Ghosh or Mandhana to open their shoulders. Every big shot they attempted went straight to fielders and with every passing ball, silence began to envelop the Chinnaswamy.
In the end, RCB too were left crestfallen after having bungled up a great chance to post their third win. It’s the second straight time their bowling has fumbled and they have a lot of pondering to do.