Spirited RCB deny MI direct entry to final

Despite not being in contention for a place in the final three, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru bowed out of WPL 2025 in style with a spirited performance to deny Mumbai Indians a direct entry into the final.

RCB beat MI by 11 runs in the final league game of the season that sent Delhi Capitals to the final for the third straight year. As a result, MI will now face Gujarat Giants in the Eliminator.

RCB posted a strong 199 on the board, with Smriti Mandhana turning up in style alongside Sabbhineni Meghana. Mandhana hammered Amelia Kerr for a couple of sixes and a four in an over to hand her side a timely boost. Ellyse Perry also contributed with a fluent innings, scoring 49 off 20 deliveries.

MI's PowerPlay was underwhelming, with Hayley Matthews whipping one for a boundary first up and following it up with three fours off an over from Perry. However, Sneh Rana managed to dismiss both the openers to leave MI at 45 for 2 after the six over mark.

Nat Sciver-Brunt was the only MI batter to put up a fight, continuing to pick up boundaries at regular intervals to keep her side's fading hopes alive. However, she departed after top-edges a delivery, leaving her side needing 71 from 31.

RCB's bowling side continuously picked wickets at the death, with Kim Garth putting an end to any possibilities for MI. The chase appeared to fizzle out by this time, with MI needing 28 for the win in the final three deliveries.

Sajeevan Sajana gave the bowling side a mild scare in the last over, but the Australian all-rounder managed to recover and ensure MI didn't add to their tally at all from the final three deliveries.

Brief scores:

• RCB W 199/3 in 20 overs (Smriti Mandhana 53, Ellyse Perry 49*; Hayley Matthews 2/37)
• MI W 188/9 in 20 overs (Nat Sciver-Brunt 69; Sneh Rana 3/26, Kim Garth 2/33)