Defending champion Royal Challengers Bengaluru would have been well-prepared for Chinelle Henry’s explosive batting. However, it was Sophie Ecclestone who proved to be the unexpected game-changer, reinforcing her status as the world’s top-ranked T20I bowler.
In a historic Women’s Premier League (WPL) clash at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, UP Warriorz edged past RCB in the tournament’s first-ever Super Over, securing a dramatic three-run victory on Monday. Ecclestone’s brilliance with the ball restricted Richa Ghosh and Smriti Mandhana, sealing her side’s second win of the season.
Earlier, chasing 181 and needing 18 off the final over to force a tie, the English all-rounder (33 off 19) hammered Renuka Singh for two sixes and a four. Though she was run out on the last ball, she ensured her team remained in the contest.
UP Warriorz openers Kiran Navgire and Vrinda Dinesh provided the ideal start, scoring at almost 10 runs per over. However, Kiran’s brisk 24 off 12 balls was cut short when Renuka Singh struck early, before also dismissing Vrinda.
AS IT HAPPENED: RCB vs UPW Highlights
Sneh Rana, making her debut for RCB, made an immediate impact, claiming two wickets within the first 10 overs. Opposition captain Deepti Sharma (25 off 13) and Tahlia McGrath fell to the off-spinner.
At the end of eight overs, UPW stood at 7 for four. While the required run rate remained manageable, wickets continued to tumble. The middle order once again failed to fire, except for Shweta Sehrawat, who fought valiantly with a 25-ball 31.
Perry dismissed Shweta after Grace Harris and Uma Chetry had departed cheaply, falling to Kim Garth and Sneh Rana, respectively. The final blow came when Garth claimed the crucial wicket of Chinelle Henry in the 17th over, as the West Indian all-rounder dragged one onto her stumps while attempting a pull shot.
Earlier, RCB was put in to bat on a fresh pitch with an evenly spread grass cover. Openers Smriti Mandhana and Danni Wyatt-Hodge made a cautious start, struggling for fluency. Deepti, continuing her dominance over Smriti, dismissed her for the third time in WPL history. A good-length off-spin delivery, barely turning, breached the left-hander’s defence via a slight inside edge.
The Warriorz showed significant improvement in the field, apart from a dropped catch by Shweta in the second over, which handed Wyatt-Hodge a reprieve.
At the halfway stage, RCB was 67 for one. It was in the middle overs that Ellyse Perry and Wyatt-Hodge accelerated, adding 48 runs between the 11th and 14th overs. Both batters reached their half-centuries in 36 balls during a 94-run partnership.
However, McGrath broke the stand, dismissing Wyatt-Hodge (57 off 41), with Shweta atoning for her earlier error by holding onto the catch.
Perry – notching up her highest individual score with an unbeaten 90 – struggled for support as Richa, Kanika Ahuja, and Georgia Wareham fell cheaply. Nonetheless, the Australian all-rounder held firm, anchoring the innings and once again sparing RCB’s blushes.