WPL 2025: Ecclestone’s All-round Brilliance Stuns RCB and Chinnaswamy in Thrilling Super Over Victory For Warriorz

In a night filled with extraordinary drama at the WPL 2025, the UP Warriorz silenced a crowd of over 28,000 as RCB fell short of chasing nine runs in the Super Over.

The game appeared to be in RCB’s grasp until the final two overs of regulation play. However, Sophie Ecclestone’s explosive hitting in the last over against Renuka Singh, which yielded 17 runs, forced the match into a Super Over. Ecclestone then stole the spotlight with a sensational final over, denying Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh as the Warriorz reignited their campaign with a second consecutive victory.

Ecclestone’s Last-Over Blitz Forces WPL’s First Super Over

With 42 runs required off 18 balls and just two wickets in hand, Sophie Ecclestone, having scored only 3 off 8 deliveries, had no choice but to go on the offensive—especially after Chinelle Henry, seemingly the Warriorz’s last hope, was dismissed.

Ecclestone took on Georgia Wareham, smashing two sixes in a 13-run over. However, Saima Thakor’s run-out after launching a six in the 19th over meant the burden was entirely on Ecclestone to chase down the remaining 18 runs off the final six balls.

What followed was extraordinary. Facing Renuka Singh, Ecclestone hammered 17 runs in a sequence of 6, 6, 4, 1, capitalizing on Renuka’s inconsistent lengths. Her single on the fifth ball left Warriorz needing just one run off the final delivery, bringing rookie Kranti Goud to strike.

When Goud missed, Richa Ghosh channeled her inner MS Dhoni—sprinting to the stumps to whip off the bails rather than risk an underarm throw. Just like that, the WPL witnessed its first-ever Super Over.

Ecclestone’s Dream Night Seals Warriorz’ Thrilling Victory

Kim Garth, who had dismissed Chinelle Henry with a clever slower ball—just after Henry’s blistering 23-ball 62 featuring eight sixes against Delhi Capitals—wouldn’t have anticipated bowling the Super Over with Warriorz needing 47 off 22.

Yet, when called upon, Garth conceded just eight runs while removing Henry once again, seemingly putting RCB in the driver’s seat. However, moments later, she watched in disbelief as Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh struggled to find their range against Sophie Ecclestone’s ice-cold bowling under pressure.

For the world’s No. 1 T20I bowler, the night was nothing short of a dream. Ecclestone had earlier delivered a sensational final over in RCB’s innings, conceding just six runs. Her spell featured three pinpoint yorkers that denied Ellyse Perry what could have been a match-winning century—one that, on most nights, would have secured victory.

Perry’s Masterclass and Wyatt-Hodge’s Grit Lay RCB’s Foundation

Ellyse Perry steadied RCB after Smriti Mandhana’s early dismissal—her 11th against offspin in WPL history—by greeting Sophie Ecclestone with consecutive boundaries, the standout being a crisp drive between cover and mid-off. Her aggressive intent was on display early, launching Saima Thakor for a straight six as RCB reached 42 for 1 at the end of the powerplay.

Perry’s innings was laced with flair and milestones. She became the first player to surpass 200 runs in each of the first three WPL seasons and overtook Meg Lanning to become the tournament’s leading run-scorer. Her 94-run partnership with Danni Wyatt-Hodge anchored RCB’s innings.

Though RCB managed just 33 runs between overs seven to eleven, Wyatt-Hodge shifted gears in the 13th over, taking Kranti Goud for three consecutive fours—displaying her full range: a cut to third man, a straight swat past the bowler, and a lofted drive over extra cover. Her maiden WPL half-century came off 36 balls against her former team but her dismissal triggered a mini-collapse, with Richa Ghosh and Kanika Ahuja falling soon after.

Perry, however, unleashed a late onslaught. Exploiting Deepti Sharma’s predictable lengths, she scored 4, 6, 4, 2 in the penultimate over, targeting gaps from deep cover to long-on and deep midwicket. Her strategic use of angles and sweeps disrupted the bowlers’ lines as she finished unbeaten on 90 off 56 balls, guiding RCB to a strong total with 105 runs coming off the final nine overs.

Navgire’s Early Blitz Ignites Warriorz’ Chase

With Chamari Athapaththu sidelined once more, Warriorz looked to Kiran Navgire for an explosive start. Just four nights after her blistering 27-ball 51 against the Capitals, Navgire showcased her aggressive intent again.

Her stand-and-deliver approach paid off as she smashed 24 off just 12 balls, capitalizing on anything in her hitting arc. However, her fiery cameo ended when she misjudged a hoick and was bowled by Renuka Singh.

Warriorz’s troubles compounded as Vrinda Dinesh’s poor run continued—falling for 14 after picking out mid-off—leaving them reeling with two early wickets down.

Warriorz Rebound After Middle-Order Collapse

Shreyanka Patil’s injury paved the way for Sneh Rana’s inclusion, and she made an immediate impact—claiming two wickets in as many overs to deepen Warriorz’s struggles. Despite Shweta Sehrawat’s lively 31 offering a glimmer of hope, the innings teetered at 125 for 7 by the 15th over.

Chinelle Henry’s explosive batting was the Warriorz’s best chance at a turnaround, but her dismissal—chopping onto Kim Garth in the 17th—left the team needing a miracle. Sophie Ecclestone answered that call, delivering a breathtaking finish straight out of a fairytale.

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