Vadodara: Mumbai Indians kept their Women’s Premier League (WPL) playoff hopes alive with a crucial 15-run victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a high-pressure, do-or-die clash on Monday night at the Vadodara International Cricket Stadium.
The win was powered by a historic unbeaten century from Nat Sciver-Brunt, the first ever in WPL history.
Batting first after RCB won the toss and opted to bowl, Mumbai Indians posted a formidable 200-run total, riding on Sciver-Brunt’s sublime 100 not out off 57 balls. The England all-rounder showcased her class and composure, anchoring the innings while accelerating effortlessly when required.
Sciver-Brunt was well supported by Hayley Matthews, who scored a fluent 56, as the pair stitched together a commanding 131-run partnership that completely took the game away from the Bengaluru side. Lauren Bell was the standout bowler for RCB, finishing with two wickets, but MI’s relentless batting proved too strong.
In response, Royal Challengers Bengaluru suffered a nightmare start. Chasing a steep target, their top order collapsed inside the Powerplay, leaving them reeling at 40/5 after six overs. The early damage was inflicted by Shabnim Ismail and Hayley Matthews, whose fiery spells dismantled the RCB batting lineup.
Despite the collapse, Richa Ghosh produced a sensational counter-attacking knock, smashing 90 off 50 balls in a valiant attempt to pull off an unlikely chase.
Nadine de Klerk added a steady 28, but the required run rate remained just out of reach. Mumbai held their nerve at the death, with Amelia Kerr dismissing Ghosh on the final ball to seal the victory.
Sciver-Brunt was named Player of the Match for her historic hundred. Speaking after the game, she called the milestone special but emphasized that putting runs on the board for the team mattered most. Mumbai captain Harmanpreet Kaur praised the team’s unity and experience, highlighting the contributions of Matthews and Ismail in a complete team effort.
Despite the loss, RCB captain Smriti Mandhana hailed Richa Ghosh’s innings as one of her finest and acknowledged Sciver-Brunt’s brilliance, calling her a world-class batter with unmatched shot-making ability.
With this win, Mumbai Indians stay alive in the playoff race, while RCB will look to regroup quickly as the tournament heads into its decisive phase.
Action continues on Tuesday, January 27, as Delhi Capitals take on Gujarat Giants, with the match set to begin at 7:30 pm IST.
Source: WPL
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