WPL Review: Mumbai prevail in a nail-biting clash against Bengaluru

Mumbai Indians Women emerged victorious in a thrilling Women’s Premier League 2025 clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women by four wickets and one delivery to spare at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to get the Bengaluru leg of the tournament off to a flying start.

The batting powerplay in the first innings was a mixed one. While the first half of the powerplay saw 33 runs being scored, the next three overs resulted in a couple of wickets, with RCB-W getting to 54/3. Richa Ghosh provided valuable support to Ellyse Perry until Amanjot Kaur cleaned her up. From that point, it was all about Perry’s magic. She let her bat do the talking to rack up 81 off 43 deliveries.

RCB ended with 167/7 at the end of 20 overs. It was an underwhelming performance from the rest of the side. No batter other than Perry was able to get past the 30-run mark. Amanjot ended up with a three-wicket haul to her name while Amelia Kerr was quite frugal, conceding only 28 runs in her four overs.

Coming to the run-chase, Yastika Bhatia was dismissed by Kim Garth in the second over while Nat Sciver-Brunt was off to a flyer. Despite Ekta Bisht dismissing Hayley Matthews on the final delivery of the powerplay, MI had already amassed 66 on the board after the first six. Garth rattling Sciver-Brunt’s stumps followed by a wicket-maiden by Georgia Wareham put the game in the balance.

By the end of 17 overs, Harmanpreet Kaur and Amanjot had gotten their side to touching distance of victory. However, a double-wicket over by Wareham once again turned the tide in the hosts’ favour. A couple of maximums by Amanjot in the penultimate over was enough to let 16-year-old G. Kamalini finish off the game in style with a crunching cover drive off the second-last delivery of the game.

Best Performers of the Match

Nat Sciver-Brunt (42 off 21)

Although Harmanpreet Kaur scored eight runs over Sciver-Brunt’s tally, the English all-rounder was easily the best batter in the game. Perry’s knock was remarkable, but none of the two aforementioned innings provided as much impact as Sciver-Brunt’s.

Amanjot Kaur (3/22 in four overs)

Coming in as the sixth change for MI-W during the first innings, Amanjot turned the game on its head. Her metronomic bowling was one of the main reasons RCB ended up with only 167 on the board. In the seven innings she has bowled in the WPL so far, the figures she registered in this game were her best in the WPL.

What’s next for both sides?

RCB-W will take on UP Warriorz Women on Monday, February 24. MI-W will take on the same opposition at the same venue on Wednesday, February 26. Both the games are scheduled to commence at 7:30 pm (IST).