Royal Challengers Bengaluru W End WPL 2025 Campaign on a High with 11-Run Victory Over Mumbai Indians W

In a thrilling encounter at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on March 11, 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (RCB-W) clinched a memorable 11-run victory over Mumbai Indians Women (MI-W) in the final league-stage match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025. While RCB-W had already been eliminated from playoff contention, they delivered a spirited performance to end their campaign on a positive note, denying MI-W a direct berth in the final and ensuring Delhi Capitals topped the table.

Opting to bat first after losing the toss, RCB-W posted an imposing 199 for 3 in their 20 overs, powered by a series of impactful contributions from their batting lineup. Captain Smriti Mandhana led from the front with a fluent 53 off 37 balls, setting the tone early with her aggressive stroke play. Her knock included crisp boundaries that showcased her intent to finish the season strongly.

Ellyse Perry anchored the innings with an unbeaten 49 off 38 balls, providing stability after Mandhana’s departure. Perry’s composed knock ensured RCB kept the momentum going into the death overs. However, it was the late fireworks from Richa Ghosh and Georgia Wareham that propelled RCB to a formidable total. Ghosh smashed 36 off 22 balls, while Wareham’s unbeaten 31 off just 10 deliveries—at a staggering strike rate of 310—proved to be a game-changer. Wareham’s assault included a flurry of boundaries and a massive six, marking the highest strike rate for a 30-plus run knock in WPL history.

MI-W’s bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught, with Hayley Matthews picking up 2 for 37 as the lone bright spot. Amelia Kerr (1 for 47) and the rest of the attack couldn’t stem the flow of runs, as fielding lapses further compounded their woes.

Chasing 200 for victory and a direct spot in the final, MI-W needed a strong start but found themselves on the back foot early. Openers Hayley Matthews and Yastika Bhatia failed to fire, leaving the middle order with a steep task. Nat Sciver-Brunt emerged as the linchpin of the chase, scoring a brilliant 69 off 35 balls. Her aggressive knock, laced with powerful strokes, kept MI-W in the hunt, but she lacked consistent support from the other end.

Harmanpreet Kaur, the MI-W skipper, managed only 8 runs, while no other batter crossed 23, exposing the team’s reliance on Sciver-Brunt. Sajeevan Sajana’s late cameo of 23 off 12 balls, including a few lusty blows, briefly reignited MI-W’s hopes, but her departure in the 19th over swung the pendulum decisively back toward RCB-W.

RCB-W’s bowling attack rose to the occasion, with Sneh Rana delivering a match-defining spell of 3 for 26. Her variations and control stifled MI-W’s momentum, accounting for key wickets at crucial junctures. Ellyse Perry, entrusted with the final over, conceded 16 runs but held her nerve to seal the deal, finishing with figures of 2 for 53. Kim Garth supported with 2 for 33, ensuring MI-W ended at 188 for 9—11 runs shy of the target.

The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with several pivotal moments shaping the outcome. Mandhana’s half-century gave RCB-W a solid foundation, but Wareham’s explosive finish turned a competitive total into a daunting one. For MI-W, Sciver-Brunt’s dismissal by Perry in the 18th over proved decisive, as it derailed their chase when they needed 34 off the last 15 balls. Rana’s spell, meanwhile, ensured MI-W couldn’t build partnerships, highlighting RCB-W’s disciplined bowling effort.

MI-W’s fielding errors, including dropped catches and misfields, also played a significant role. Harmanpreet Kaur later acknowledged that conceding 40 runs in the last two overs of RCB-W’s innings had been costly, a sentiment echoed by fans and analysts alike.

Sneh Rana, named Player of the Match, credited her success to adapting her lengths on a batsman-friendly surface and praised Mandhana’s tactical acumen in utilizing the bowlers effectively. Mandhana herself reflected on the season, noting that despite losing momentum mid-campaign due to injuries to key players, the team had started and finished on a high. “It’s nice to contribute and end with a win,” she said, emphasizing the collective effort.

Harmanpreet Kaur admitted that the bowling in the death overs and fielding lapses had let MI-W down, though she praised Sciver-Brunt and Sajana for their efforts with the bat. With this loss, MI-W now face Gujarat Giants in the Eliminator on March 13, while Delhi Capitals advance directly to the final.

For RCB-W, the victory was a bittersweet farewell to WPL 2025. After a promising start with two wins, five consecutive losses had dashed their playoff hopes, but this triumph over a strong MI-W side showcased their potential. For MI-W, the defeat was a setback, but their campaign remains alive as they gear up for the knockout stage.

The match, which saw RCB-W break MI-W’s unbeaten streak at Brabourne Stadium, will be remembered as a testament to their resilience and a reminder of the fine margins that define T20 cricket. As the WPL 2025 playoffs loom, both teams will take lessons from this clash—RCB-W with renewed hope for next season, and MI-W with a resolve to bounce back.