WPL 2025: Mandhana, Wareham, and Rana Conquer Brabourne Stronghold To Prevent MI From Claiming The Top Spot

Defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) ended the league stage in second place behind Delhi Capitals for the third consecutive year after falling short in a 200-run chase against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

Needing a victory to secure the top spot and a direct entry into the final, MI’s sloppy fielding allowed RCB to post a challenging total. The hosts then leaned heavily on Nat Sciver-Brunt, with no other batter surpassing 23, ultimately suffering their first defeat at Brabourne Stadium in six matches.

RCB Breaks the Chasing Trend with Third Consecutive Win

RCB’s 11-run victory marked the third successive win for teams batting first in WPL 2025, reversing the earlier dominance of chasing sides. The crucial win, which lifted them off the bottom of the table, was powered by Smriti Mandhana’s half-century, S Meghana’s fluent strokeplay, Ellyse Perry’s steady knock, and explosive cameos from Richa Ghosh and Georgia Wareham.

In response, Nat Sciver-Brunt led MI’s chase after early setbacks, including the dismissals of Hayley Matthews and Harmanpreet Kaur. However, once she departed for a blistering 69 off 35 balls in the 15th over, MI was left with an uphill task—71 runs required from 31 balls with no star batters left—ultimately falling short.

Meghana Fires Early, Mandhana Takes Control

With nothing to lose in their final game, RCB came out swinging, fearlessly taking on MI’s top bowlers. Meghana set the tone by smashing Sciver-Brunt for two boundaries in the second over, before Mandhana followed up with a four and a majestic straight six off Shabnim Ismail in the third. Meghana continued her assault, dispatching Hayley Matthews for 4, 6, and 4, but Matthews had the last laugh, forcing a top-edge off a 102.8 km/h bouncer to dismiss her for a fiery 26 off 13 balls.

RCB ended the powerplay strongly at 53/1, with Ellyse Perry making MI pay for their sloppy fielding. Amelia Kerr was the next to bear the brunt, as Perry pulled her first delivery for four before Mandhana took charge—sweeping for six, flicking for four, and launching one down the ground for a 22-run over. Although MI briefly managed to rein in the scoring rate, Mandhana responded with back-to-back aerial boundaries, bringing up her half-century off just 35 balls.

MI’s Sloppy Fielding Hands RCB the Edge

RCB capitalized on MI’s costly errors, shifting into top gear as dropped catches and missed chances fueled their late-innings surge. Kerr’s second over was particularly dramatic—she spilled a return catch from Perry on 16, and two balls later, Sanskriti Gupta dropped Mandhana on 52 at midwicket. Though Mandhana perished soon after, MI paid the price for giving Perry a reprieve.

Perry made them suffer, lofting Ismail for a six and drilling Parunika Sisodia for four, while Richa Ghosh joined the onslaught with two boundaries in the 14th over. Ghosh lived dangerously but cashed in, tearing into Ismail with an edged reverse scoop for four, a towering straight six, and another scoop over the keeper, leaving the pacer wicketless with 41 runs conceded. Though Ghosh fell for 36 off 22, Perry and Georgia Wareham continued the carnage.

Amanjot Kaur, initially economical, was hammered for four boundaries, with Sciver-Brunt dropping a sitter at deep midwicket—distracted by the spidercam. Perry got another life on the first ball of the final over, bowled by Kerr, which went for four. Wareham then finished in style, sweeping and reverse-sweeping Kerr for 4, 2, 4, and 6, racing to 31* off just 10 balls. RCB racked up a daunting 199, smashing 65 runs in the last four overs.

Kerr Struggles Again as Rana Strikes Crucial Blows

MI’s top-order woes persisted, with Amelia Kerr once again failing to make an impact. While Hayley Matthews showed early promise with some spectacular strokes off Perry, Kerr was a mere spectator, facing just nine deliveries in the first 30 balls. Sneh Rana then turned the tide, dismissing both openers in quick succession—Matthews holed out to deep square leg, while Kerr’s mistimed shot to cover saw her depart for just nine.

At 45/2 by the end of the powerplay, MI needed a strong recovery. Harmanpreet Kaur offered brief resistance, surviving an LBW appeal from WPL debutant Heather Graham before finding the gaps for two confident boundaries. However, Mandhana’s tactical masterstroke of reintroducing Kim Garth paid off. The experienced pacer deceived Harmanpreet with a clever back-of-the-hand leg cutter, drawing an edge that was safely taken by Richa Ghosh, leaving MI in deeper trouble.

Sciver-Brunt Keeps MI in the Hunt

Despite Harmanpreet Kaur’s dismissal, MI maintained their scoring momentum, thanks to the brilliance of Nat Sciver-Brunt. Using clever footwork, she repeatedly shuffled outside off stump to exploit the shorter boundary, peppering the field with boundaries. Wareham was driven straight down the ground, Graham was taken for back-to-back fours, and even Rana’s reintroduction couldn’t halt the assault as she conceded 12 runs in an over.

Sciver-Brunt’s charge continued into the 15th over, where she hammered Perry for a four and a six. However, just as MI looked set for a late push, the all-rounder miscued an off-cutter, offering a simple catch to Perry, bringing an end to her explosive knock.

Sajana’s Late Blitz Gives RCB a Scare

With 71 needed off 31 balls, MI’s hopes seemed slim, but their lower order refused to go down without a fight. The late charge was spearheaded by the power-hitting S Sajana, who took on the responsibility after the quick dismissals of Yastika Bhatia, Amanjot Kaur, and G Kamalini.

With 44 required off the final two overs, Sajana showed her intent, smashing Garth’s slower deliveries before turning the heat on Perry. Needing 24 from five balls, she launched two massive sixes straight down the ground, briefly igniting MI’s hopes. However, after missing the next delivery, she miscued a shot and was dismissed for a valiant 23 off 12 balls, leaving MI just short of an improbable victory.

Read More: IPL 2025: Delhi Capitals (DC) Full Squad, Possible Starting 11 and Impact Player, Strengths and Weaknesses

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