Mumbai Indians Women produced a commanding performance to defeat Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women in the 16th match of the Women’s Premier League at Vadodara on 26 January. In a high-scoring and entertaining contest, MI-W defended a strong total to register a 15-run victory, strengthening their position in the league standings.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women won the toss and opted to field first, backing their bowling attack to contain Mumbai on a surface that looked good for batting. However, MI-W’s top order quickly showed intent. After an early wicket, the innings was completely transformed by a superb partnership that laid the foundation for a massive total.
Nat Sciver-Brunt was the standout performer of the match, playing one of the finest innings in WPL history. She paced her knock perfectly, starting with controlled strokeplay before accelerating through the middle and death overs. Her unbeaten century was a masterclass in T20 batting, combining power, placement, and calm decision-making under pressure. At the other end, Hayley Matthews complemented her brilliantly with an aggressive half-century, ensuring Mumbai maintained a strong run rate throughout the innings.
The partnership between Sciver-Brunt and Matthews took the game away from RCB-W. They rotated strike efficiently, punished loose deliveries, and neutralised the bowling plans with smart shot selection. Even when RCB attempted to slow the momentum with changes in pace and field placements, MI-W stayed in control. Mumbai finished their 20 overs on an imposing total just short of 200, one of the highest scores of the season.
Chasing a daunting target, Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women came out with positive intent. The top order tried to keep pace with the required run rate, but regular wickets prevented them from building sustained partnerships. Despite this, RCB-W found hope through a sensational innings from Richa Ghosh, who kept the chase alive with fearless batting.
Ghosh played with remarkable maturity and aggression, taking on both pace and spin with confidence. Her innings was filled with clean boundaries and timely big hits, and she single-handedly dragged RCB back into the contest. As long as she remained at the crease, Mumbai could not relax, with the required run rate staying within reach deep into the innings.
Mumbai Indians Women, however, showed composure when it mattered most. Their bowlers struck at key moments, breaking partnerships and ensuring RCB never gained full momentum. Hayley Matthews delivered a crucial spell with the ball, using variations in pace and flight to pick up important wickets in the middle overs. Support from the rest of the bowling unit ensured pressure was maintained even when Ghosh was attacking.
In the final overs, the required rate climbed sharply, and despite Ghosh’s valiant effort, RCB-W fell short. They finished on 184 for 9, losing by 15 runs in a match that showcased both high-quality batting and disciplined bowling.
The win was a significant one for MI-W, highlighting their balance and depth as a team. Nat Sciver-Brunt was deservedly named Player of the Match for her historic century, an innings that defined the contest. For RCB-W, the loss was disappointing but encouraging in parts, particularly due to Ghosh’s outstanding knock. Overall, the match in Vadodara stood out as one of the most entertaining encounters of the WPL season so far.
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