RCB vs MI, WPL 2025 Highlights: Mumbai Indians beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru by four wickets.Mumbai Indians Clinch Victory Over RCB in a Thrilling Encounter
The Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Mumbai Indians (MI) turned out to be an exhilarating clash, as Mumbai Indians emerged victorious by four wickets. The game, held at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, saw an outstanding performance from Elysse Perry, who fought hard to keep RCB in the contest, but Mumbai Indians' composed chase ensured their triumph.
Elysse Perry’s Heroics Lift RCB to 167/7
RCB, after winning the toss, elected to bat first. The start was aggressive, with captain Smriti Mandhana leading from the front. She came into this game in superb form, having scored 81 runs in the previous match against Delhi Capitals. Mandhana looked determined to give RCB a solid foundation and wasted no time, hitting Shabnim Ismail for two boundaries in the very first over.
However, Mandhana’s attacking approach led to her downfall. In the third over, Ismail got her revenge with a back-of-the-length delivery. Attempting a pull shot, Mandhana mistimed the ball, sending it high into the air for an easy catch taken by Yastika Bhatia. RCB was reduced to 34/3 within the first six overs, with Dani Wyatt-Hodge and Raghvi Bisht also falling cheaply.
Elysse Perry then took charge, showcasing her all-round brilliance. She played a masterclass innings of 81 runs off 52 balls, striking 11 boundaries and two sixes. Perry single-handedly carried RCB’s innings, ensuring they reached a competitive total of 167/7. Richa Ghosh provided some support, adding 28 runs in a crucial partnership. Amanjot Kaur was the standout bowler for Mumbai, picking up 3/22 in her four overs, while Sanskriti Gupta impressed with figures of 1/3 in her only over.
Mumbai’s Chase: A Steady Yet Challenging Journey
Chasing 168 for victory, Mumbai Indians needed a solid start, but they faced an early setback. RCB’s pacer Renuka Singh struck in the second over, dismissing Hayley Matthews for just 5 runs. Nat Sciver-Brunt and Yastika Bhatia, however, stabilised the innings with a well-constructed 56-run partnership.
The momentum swung back in RCB’s favour when Sophie Molineux dismissed Sciver-Brunt for 34, followed by the crucial wicket of Harmanpreet Kaur. The Mumbai skipper, known for her calm presence, was caught at deep midwicket after scoring a quick 22 runs.
With Mumbai at 115/4 after 15 overs, the match was evenly poised. It was Amanjot Kaur who played a game-changing innings under pressure. Walking in at No.6, she hammered two sixes and a boundary in the 17th over, shifting the momentum towards Mumbai. Her 35-run knock off 18 balls was instrumental in guiding MI closer to the target.
Nail-Biting Finish as Mumbai Clinch Victory in the Final Over
RCB fought hard to drag the game into the final over. With Mumbai needing 10 runs off the last six balls, Amanjot Kaur was dismissed, leaving the match in a tense situation. However, Pooja Vastrakar kept her composure and struck the winning boundary off the penultimate delivery, sealing a four-wicket victory for MI.
Post-Match Reactions
Amanjot Kaur – Player of the Match
Amanjot Kaur, who played a crucial role in Mumbai’s victory, was named the Player of the Match. Speaking after the game, she expressed her delight at delivering under pressure. “I knew I had to take responsibility in the middle order. When Kanika Ahuja was brought into the attack, I saw an opportunity to capitalise on her off-spin. I’m happy to have contributed to the team’s success.”
Harmanpreet Kaur – Mumbai Indians Captain
Mumbai skipper Harmanpreet Kaur praised her team’s performance, particularly Amanjot’s knock. “We knew the chase wouldn’t be easy, especially with RCB’s quality bowling attack. But our approach was simple—stay calm and take it deep. The clarity within the team made my job easier, and credit goes to Amanjot for playing a mature innings.”
Smriti Mandhana – RCB Captain
RCB captain Smriti Mandhana reflected on the match, stating that her team fought hard despite falling short. “There wasn’t a single turning point—it was a game of small moments. Perry’s innings gave us a good total to defend, but we lacked execution in the crucial final overs. We’ll take the positives and come back stronger.”
Charlotte Edwards – Mumbai Head Coach
Charlotte Edwards, the head coach of Mumbai, was thrilled with the team’s composure under pressure. “Winning in Bengaluru, in front of their home crowd, is special. Amanjot and Harmanpreet’s partnership was crucial, and I’m happy with the way we adapted to the conditions. Our young players, especially Kamalini, are showing great promise.”
Key Takeaways from the Match
Elysse Perry’s Brilliance – The Australian all-rounder played one of her finest WPL innings, ensuring RCB posted a competitive total.
Amanjot Kaur’s Game-Changing Knock – Her fearless approach in the closing overs made the difference for Mumbai.
Smriti Mandhana’s Aggression – While her start was strong, RCB needed a longer innings from their captain to put more pressure on MI.
RCB’s Middle-Order Woes – Despite Perry’s heroics, Bengaluru’s middle order struggled against Mumbai’s disciplined bowling.
Mumbai’s Calm Chase – The visitors displayed composure under pressure, with multiple batters contributing to their win.
What’s Next?
With this win, Mumbai Indians have gained valuable momentum in the WPL 2025 season. Meanwhile, RCB will need to regroup before their next encounter. The action continues on February 22nd, with an exciting clash between Delhi and UP Warriorz. Fans can expect another thrilling battle as teams fight for supremacy in the WPL 2025.
Match Summary
RCB 167/7 in 20 overs (Elysse Perry 81, Richa Ghosh 28, Smriti Mandhana 26; Amanjot Kaur 3-22, Sanskriti Gupta 1-3)
MI 168/6 in 19.5 overs (Amanjot Kaur 35, Nat Sciver-Brunt 34, Harmanpreet Kaur 22; Renuka Singh 2-28, Sophie Molineux 2-31)
Result: Mumbai Indians won by 4 wickets.
Player of the Match: Amanjot Kaur
Stay tuned for more updates and insights from the WPL 2025 season!
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