In the final league match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) registered a thrilling 11-run victory over Mumbai Indians (MI) at Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai. The high-voltage clash saw exceptional performances from both teams, keeping the fans on the edge of their seats until the very last ball.
Winning the toss, RCB opted to bat first and put up a formidable total of 199/3 in 20 overs. Captain Smriti Mandhana led from the front with a brilliant 50 off 35 balls, including six fours and three towering sixes. She was well-supported by Ellyse Perry, who contributed a crucial 45 runs, helping RCB build a strong foundation. Later, Richa Ghosh provided the final flourish, smashing 36 runs off just 18 balls, propelling the team to a competitive total. MI’s bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught, allowing RCB to capitalize and post an imposing target of 200 runs.
Chasing 200, MI started on a positive note, with their openers scoring at a brisk pace. However, wickets fell at regular intervals, disrupting their momentum. The standout performer for MI was Natalie Sciver-Brunt, who played a sensational knock of 60 off 38 balls, showcasing a fine mix of aggressive strokeplay and intelligent batting. Despite her valiant efforts, MI couldn’t sustain the required run rate, eventually falling short at 188/9, handing RCB a well-deserved 11-run victory.
The turning point of the match came in the death overs, where RCB’s bowlers executed their strategies perfectly. Heather Graham and Ellyse Perry bowled with precision, restricting MI from accelerating in the crucial final overs. Graham’s dismissal of Amanjot Kaur and Perry’s crucial wicket of Sciver-Brunt completely swung the momentum in RCB’s favor, sealing the match.
After the match, MI captain Harmanpreet Kaur expressed disappointment over the loss, acknowledging that fielding lapses and leaked runs in the final overs cost them dearly. She appreciated her team’s batting efforts but admitted that the game slipped away in the final moments. On the other hand, RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana hailed her team’s victory as a brilliant collective effort, emphasizing that while they were already out of the playoff race, this win was significant for team morale.
Although RCB’s campaign in WPL 2025 ended with this match, they bowed out with pride and resilience. For MI, this loss denied them the top spot in the points table, finishing just behind Delhi Capitals. With the playoffs ahead, MI will need to regroup and refine their strategies to keep their championship hopes alive.
This match was a perfect example of the rising competitiveness and excitement in women’s cricket, delivering a spectacle that captivated fans and reinforced WPL’s status as a premier T20 league.
