Win the toss, choose to field, and win the match – that’s been the trend in all seven games of the WPL 2025 so far. Mumbai Indians (MI) were the latest to benefit from this pattern, defeating Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by four wickets in the first match of the Bengaluru leg.
Opting to bowl first, MI restricted RCB to 167 for 7 despite a sublime 81 off 43 balls from Ellyse Perry. In response, MI matched the season’s best powerplay, reaching 66 for 2. Harmanpreet Kaur’s half-century kept them on track until Georgia Wareham struck twice in the 18th over, removing both Kaur and S Sajana in consecutive deliveries. With 22 required off the last 12 balls, Amanjot Kaur stepped up, hammering two sixes off Kanika Ahuja to bring the equation to a run-a-ball in the final over. Despite the pressure, G Kamalini sealed the victory with a cover drive off Ekta Bisht with two balls to spare.
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Mandhana’s Aggression Meets Ismail’s Pace in Thrilling Duel
Shabnim Ismail, the fastest bowler in women’s cricket, wasted no time making an impact. Opening the bowling for Mumbai Indians (MI), she immediately challenged Smriti Mandhana with a bouncer, which the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain mistimed, falling short of mid-on. However, Mandhana quickly adapted. Just two balls later, when Ismail bowled another short delivery, Mandhana was ready—pulling it over square leg for four.
Ismail responded by switching to around the wicket, but Mandhana remained unfazed. For the final ball of the over, Ismail tried to cramp her with yet another short ball, only to see Mandhana pull it for another boundary.
From the other end, Nat Sciver-Brunt’s lack of similar pace allowed Mandhana to advance down the pitch and launch a straight six. In her next over, Ismail’s line wavered, and Mandhana capitalized, cutting her twice to the point boundary in three balls.
But the South African speedster had the final say. Going short again, this time angling the delivery, Ismail induced a pull shot that took the top edge of Mandhana’s bat. Yastika Bhatia positioned herself perfectly behind the stumps to complete the catch, ending the gripping mini-battle.
MI’s Strikes Derail RCB’s Momentum
Ellyse Perry got off the mark in style, flicking her first ball from Shabnim Ismail over square leg for four. She followed it up with a powerful shot over long-on off Nat Sciver-Brunt in the next over. However, Mumbai Indians (MI) clawed back with a flurry of wickets.
Danni Wyatt-Hodge mistimed an upper cut off Sciver-Brunt to short third, Raghvi Bist holed out to deep midwicket off Hayley Matthews, and Kanika Ahuja chopped Sanskriti Gupta onto her stumps. By the end of the ninth over, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) found themselves in trouble at 62 for 4.
Perry’s Masterclass Anchors RCB Innings
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) endured a boundary drought between overs six and nine until Ellyse Perry broke the silence in the tenth with a crisp four off Hayley Matthews. Richa Ghosh soon joined the charge, smashing a six in the same over. The duo accelerated the scoring, collecting five more boundaries over the next three overs. Their 50-run stand came off 38 deliveries before Amanjot Kaur dismissed Ghosh for a steady 28 off 25 balls.
From that point, Perry took control. She reached her fifty in just 30 balls with a sublime inside-out shot over extra cover off Amelia Kerr, following it up with a lofted six down the ground. Matthews’ short-pitched deliveries were punished as Perry added two more fours in the subsequent over. Although she fell to Amanjot on the penultimate ball, Perry’s innings ended on a high with consecutive boundaries, capping a stellar knock.
Explosive Start: Matthews, Sciver-Brunt Set the Tone for MI
Mumbai Indians (MI) began their chase with intent as Yastika Bhatia struck two boundaries off Renuka Singh in the opening over. Although Kim Garth dismissed Bhatia for 8, the momentum remained with MI. Nat Sciver-Brunt wasted no time, finding the boundary with her first two deliveries and following it up with three more fours in Garth’s next over.
Hayley Matthews joined the onslaught, hitting back-to-back boundaries off Georgia Wareham. Ekta Bisht, introduced in the sixth over, faced similar treatment—Sciver-Brunt began with three consecutive fours, while Matthews added another to the tally. Bisht found a silver lining with the final ball of her over, trapping Matthews lbw, but the damage had already been done.
Harmanpreet Steers MI Closer to Victory
Kim Garth gave Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) a much-needed breakthrough by bowling Nat Sciver-Brunt for a quickfire 42 off 21 balls in the eighth over. Georgia Wareham tightened the screws further with a maiden over, dismissing Amelia Kerr with a sharp catch at backward point.
Harmanpreet Kaur, initially slow with 10 off 10 balls by the halfway mark, soon shifted gears. She reignited the chase with consecutive boundaries off VJ Joshitha. With 54 needed from the final six overs, Harmanpreet’s composure and timing shone through. She hammered successive fours off Kanika Ahuja, slog-swept Ekta Bisht for a towering six, and added two more boundaries off Renuka Singh, putting Mumbai Indians (MI) in a commanding position.
Wareham’s Double Blow Sparks Hope, Amanjot’s Sixes Seal the Deal
With Mumbai Indians (MI) needing just 24 runs from three overs and Harmanpreet Kaur well-set on 50 off 36 balls, the game seemed to be slipping away from Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). However, Georgia Wareham turned the tide. Attempting a cut shot, Harmanpreet edged to Richa Ghosh, handing RCB a crucial breakthrough.
Wareham struck again on the very next ball, trapping S Sajana lbw with a sharp slider. To make matters worse for MI, the over yielded just two runs, briefly reviving RCB’s hopes of pulling off an unlikely win.
Calm Under Pressure: Amanjot, Kamalini Guide MI Home
With the match hanging in the balance, Amanjot Kaur rose to the occasion. Having played a supporting role to Harmanpreet Kaur, she was on 20 off 22 balls when Kanika Ahuja began the 19th over. Amanjot wasted no time, launching the first ball over long-on for a six. Although Ahuja tightened her line, conceding just four runs in the next four deliveries, Amanjot finished the over with another towering six over long-on.
Needing just six runs in the final over, Mumbai Indians (MI) also benefited from Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) slow over rate, which reduced the fielders outside the circle. Ekta Bisht kept things tight with her first two deliveries, but G Kamalini held her nerve and drove MI to victory with a ball to spare.
FAQs
Who won the WPL 2025 match between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru?
Mumbai Indians (MI) defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by four wickets in the first game of the Bengaluru leg of WPL 2025.
How did Mumbai Indians chase down the target set by RCB?
MI chased down the 168-run target with key contributions from Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur, and a late flourish from Amanjot Kaur, who smashed two crucial sixes in the penultimate over.
What was Ellyse Perry’s performance in the match?
Ellyse Perry top-scored for RCB with a brilliant 81 off 43 balls, anchoring the innings and helping her team reach 167 for 7.
How did Georgia Wareham impact the match for RCB?
Georgia Wareham picked up two vital wickets in the 18th over, dismissing Harmanpreet Kaur and S Sajana on consecutive balls, briefly reviving RCB’s hopes.
What was the turning point in MI’s successful run chase?
Amanjot Kaur’s twin sixes off Kanika Ahuja in the 19th over proved decisive, reducing the target to just six runs in the final over and ensuring MI’s victory.
