Vadodara: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) sealed direct qualification to the WPL final with a commanding eight-wicket victory over UP Warriorz, chasing down a modest target with a staggering 41 balls to spare at the Vadodara International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
RCB overhauled UP Warriorz’s total with ease, reaching 147/2 in just 13.1 overs, underlining their supremacy in a one-sided contest. The chase was headlined by a blistering knock from Grace Harris, who smashed 75 off 37 balls, complementing her earlier spell of 2/22 with the ball to earn the Player of the Match award. Captain Smriti Mandhana played the perfect foil, anchoring the innings with composure and class as the duo dismantled the Warriorz bowling attack.
Earlier, UP Warriorz squandered a promising start after racing to 50 without loss in the Powerplay. Openers Meg Lanning and Deepti Sharma added 74 for the first wicket, but a dramatic middle-order collapse saw them fail to capitalise. Nadine de Klerk led RCB’s bowling charge with four wickets, while Harris provided crucial breakthroughs in her first bowling appearance of the season.
With this emphatic win, RCB not only completed a league double over UP Warriorz but also confirmed their place straight in the final, allowing them valuable rest ahead of the title clash. UP Warriorz, meanwhile, remain mathematically in contention, though their qualification hopes now hinge on other results.
RCB’s clinical all-round display reinforced their credentials as strong title favourites as they eye a second championship crown.
Source: WPL
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