In a pivotal match for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Women in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024, all eyes were on the showdown against the reigning champions, Mumbai Indians Women. Sitting in the third spot on the league standings with three wins and four losses, RCB was in need of a victory to climb up the ladder.
Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry delivered a historic performance, etching her name in Women’s Premier League history by claiming a remarkable six-wicket haul. Perry’s extraordinary figures of 6/15 in 4 overs, featuring an astounding 18 dot balls, dismantled the defending champions, Mumbai Indians.
The 32-year-old spearheaded RCB-W’s attack with the new ball, dismissing the dangerous Nat Sciver-Brunt early on. She then accounted for the other opener, Sajeevan Sajana, who scored 30 off 21 balls and seemed threatening during her stint in the middle for MI-W.
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Following Sajana’s dismissal, Perry achieved the remarkable feat of clean bowling Mumbai Indians’ captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, who departed for a golden duck, shifting the tide in favor of RCB-W. The Australian pacer continued her onslaught by trapping Amelia Kerr in front, claiming her fifth victim.
Sajana & Harman 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐑𝐘sh 🫨#MIvRCB #TATAWPL #TATAWPLonJioCinema #TATAWPLonSports18 #JioCinemaSports #CheerTheW pic.twitter.com/pOW0rSy9sz
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) March 12, 2024
Amanjot Kaur fell next, managing just 4 runs. Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, RCB-W’s decision proved wise as they tore through MI-W’s batting lineup.
At 73/5 after 11 overs, Mumbai found themselves in dire straits. Perry wasn’t finished, returning to dismiss Pooja Vastrakar in the 13th over before having Humaira Kazi caught at mid-off in the following over, completing her six-wicket haul.
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Asha Sobhana, Sophie Devine, and Shreyanka Patil provided crucial support for the 33-year-old cricketer. Mumbai Indians were eventually bundled out for 113 runs in 19 overs. The onus was now on the Smriti Mandhana-led RCB-W to chase down the target swiftly and improve their Net Run Rate. While Mumbai Indians Women and Delhi Capitals Women had already secured spots in the next round of the WPL 2024, the red-and-gold brigade needed 114 runs to overcome the Mumbai-based franchise.
