WPL
New Delhi/UNI: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) chased down a target of 114 runs set by defending champions Mumbai Indians to secure their spot in the WPL playoffs after securing a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium here on Tuesday.
Ellyse Perry delivered an exceptional performance with bat and ball as she claimed the best-ever figures in the WPL history with her seam bowling and contributed significantly to the team's victory with an unbeaten 40 runs off 38 balls during the chase.
Chasing a target of 114 runs to qualify for the playoffs, RCB openers provided a solid start, displaying positive intent from the beginning. Sophie Molineux (9) was dropped inside the circle during the third over but was subsequently stumped off Hayley Matthews.
Nat Sciver-Brunt managed to dismiss RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana for 11, contributing to the efforts of Mumbai Indians, but RCB's strong batting lineup ensured the team crossed the line.
RCB were in a spot of bother at 39/2 and Shabnam Ismail took a wicket immediately after the powerplay, removing Sophie Devine, leaving RCB 39/3 in 6.1 overs.
However, Richa Ghosh partnered with Ellyse Perry and made a significant contribution.
Despite being dropped early, Richa batted well and helped ease the pressure in the chase. The duo accelerated the scoring rate, reaching the hundred mark for RCB in the 14th over.
With positive intent, they continued to bat aggressively. Richa clobbered a six and Perry lofted for a boundary to secure victory for RCB with more than five overs to spare.
Earlier, RCB won the toss and elected to field first. In the absence of Yastika Bhatia, S Sanjana opened the innings with Matthews for MI.
During the powerplay, the openers managed to build a solid foundation, reaching 40 runs without losing any wickets in the first 5 overs.
Both Sajana and Matthews were scoring boundaries consistently, but in the final ball of the powerplay, Devine dismissed the dangerous Matthews. She was out to a well-executed catch by Perry in the deep, adding to RCB's momentum and putting a halt to MI's strong start.
Perry continued to dazzle with her class and experience by taking three wickets including a leg before in the span of two overs. The dismissals included the well-set Sajana and in-form Mumbai Indians skipper Harmanpreet Kaur.
The RCB pacer went on to register the best bowling figures in WPL history as the timber strikes continued to add pressure for the MI batswomen.
The Mumbai Indians struggled, reaching 86/7 after 14 overs, with Priyanka Bala and Humaira Kazi at the crease.
Priyanka managed to score an unbeaten 19 runs, but despite her efforts, MI was bowled out for a total of 113 runs in the 19th over.
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