WPL 2023 MI vs RCB: Mumbai Indians Regain Top Position, RCB Knock Out From The Tournament. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) were up against Mumbai Indians (MI) at DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. This was the last game on the group stage for both sides in the inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL).
Mumbai Indians are already qualified for playoffs and ranked at the second position in the WPL points table. RCB is out of the playoffs qualification race. They are placed in fourth position in the points table of the WPL 2023.
Mumbai Indians Bowlers Restricted RCB To A Moderate Total
MI skipper Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and put the opponent team to bat. RCB opener Sophie Devine, who played a phenomenal knock in the last game, got run out in the first over of the game. Her partner Smriti made 24 runs off 25 balls with the help of three fours and one six. She was caught by wicket-keeper Yastika Bhatia off in an over bowled by Amelia Kerr.
One down batter Ellyse Perry tried to stabilize the innings, however, she was dismissed by Nat Sciver-Brunt. Perry scored 29 off 38 balls. RCB continued to lose wickets in heaps. They managed to put in a total of 125 runs in 20 overs while losing nine wickets. Kerr was the peak of the bowlers by taking three wickets in four overs.
Also Read: WPL 2023: Orange Cap, Purple Cap List, And Updated Points Table
Amelia Kerr Helped Mumbai Indians Get Past The Target
While chasing a small target, Mumbai openers Hayley Matthews and Yastika Bhatia gave a solid start to their team. They added 46 runs in the first five overs. Off-spinner Shreyanka Patil gave the first blow to Mumbai by dismissing Yastika. The wicket-keeper batsman amassed 30 runs off 26 balls. Mumbai lost Matthews and Nat Sciver-Brunt in the next few overs.
Seamer Perry bowled Mumbai skipper Harmanpreet Kaur. Harmanpreet could score only two runs off five balls. All-rounder Amelia Kerr and Pooja Vastrakar stitched a vital partnership of 47 runs to rescue the team from the collapse. Vastrakar got out while Mumbai was near the win, however, Mumbai Indians reached the target in the 17th over. Mumbai Indians climbed to the top of the points table by beating RCB by four wickets.
Brief Scorecard: Mumbai Indians Ahuja 2/5) beat Royal Challengers Bangalore 125/9 (20 overs) ( Ghosh 29, Perry 29, Kerr 3/22, Sciver-Brunt 2/24) by four wickets.
Also Read: Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2023: A Game-Changer for Women’s Cricket in India
Playing XIs Of Royal Challengers Bangalore And Mumbai Indians
Royal Challengers Bangalore Playing XI: Smriti Mandhana (c), Sophie Devine, Disha Kasat, Megan Schutt, Asha Shobana, Preeti Bose, Ellyse Perry, Heather Knight, Richa Ghosh (wk), Kanika Ahuja, Shreyanka Patil
Mumbai Indians Playing XI: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Hayley Matthews, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Humaira Kazi, Jintimani Kalita, Saika Ishaque, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amelia Kerr, Pooja Vastrakar, Issy Wong, Amanjot Kaur
