Vadodara: Nat Sciver-Brunt (100 not out) hit the first-ever century of Women’s Premier League history in its fourth edition as dominant Mumbai Indians beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 15 runs, despite Richa Ghosh’s whirlwind 90, here on Monday.
In a must-win game to remain in contention for play-offs, defending champions Mumbai hit their stride to produce a near-perfect performance with the bat, piling up 199 for four.
But, despite making early inroads to leave RCB reeling at 35 for 5 inside the powerplay, MI bowlers appeared clueless against Richa who hammered 10 fours and six sixes to make 90 off 50 balls in her team’s 184 for 9.
Australia’s Georgia Voll (99 not out) and New Zealand’s Sophie Devine (99) had come the closest to scoring in the past for UP Warriorz and RCB, respectively.
Besides Sciver-Brunt, who was among the players retained by the two-time champions ahead of the recent mega auction, West Indian all-rounder Hayley Matthews produced a sparkling 56 off 39 deliveries while captain Harmanpreet Kaur chipped in with a handy 20 off 12 deliveries towards the end.
Matthews would later star with the ball at the Kotambi Stadium, registering figures of 3/10 that, together with contributions from Shabnim Ismail (2/25) and Amelia Kerr (2/37), helped MI restrict RCB to 184/9 in reply.
Wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh nearly followed Sciver-Brunt’s footsteps and became the second player in WPL history to score a ton, smashing 90 off 50 deliveries, including 10 fours and six sixes and almost single-handedly steering the Royal Challengers to victory from a precarious 35/5.
Ghosh, who had starred in India’s historic Women’s World Cup triumph at home recently, forged a 41-run sixth-wicket partnership with South Africa’s Nadine de Klerk (28 off 20) to briefly rekindle RCB’s hopes. Mandhana and Co later appeared down and out after getting reduced to 129/8 in 17 overs, with the result appearing a simple formality at this point.
Ghosh, however, gave MI one last scare towards the end of the game in the form of an explosive 55-run stand with Shreyanka Patil (12 not out off 5) in just 18 deliveries, getting dismissed by Kerr in the final delivery of the chase.
The win brings MI back into the playoffs race as they find themselves tied with Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Giants on six points, although DC and GG also have a game in hand. Harmanpreet and Co face the Giants in their final league game of the fourth WPL season on Friday, and will have to win that contest if they are to maintain their 100 per cent record of featuring in the playoffs.
