Mumbai Indians Edge Past Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Last-Over Thriller

Mumbai Indians (MI) dampened Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) homecoming with a thrilling four-wicket victory in the Bengaluru leg of the TATA Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025. The match culminated in a tense final-over finish, the third in just seven games this season. Sixteen-year-old G Kamalini held her nerve to strike the winning boundary when MI needed two off the last two balls, sealing a dramatic win.

Harmanpreet, Sciver-Brunt, and Amanjot Shine for MI

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur led MI’s chase with her first half-century of the season, while Nat Sciver-Brunt’s explosive 42 laid a solid foundation. However, it was Amanjot Kaur who stole the limelight, delivering a crucial all-round performance. After claiming 3-22 with the ball to restrict RCB to 167, she played a match-winning knock of 34* off 27 balls to guide MI home. With this victory, MI leapfrogged Delhi Capitals to second place in the points table, while RCB maintained their lead at the top.

Perry’s Heroics in Vain as MI Bowlers Strike

Earlier, MI skipper Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and invited RCB to bat. Smriti Mandhana provided an electrifying start with five boundaries, including a towering six, within the first three overs. However, her fiery 13-ball 26 was cut short when she top-edged a pull off Shabnim Ismail, caught comfortably by Yastika Bhatia.

Despite a strong start, RCB found themselves in trouble at 57-4 inside eight overs. Danni Wyatt-Hodge (9) and Raghvi Bist (1) fell cheaply, dismissed by Hayley Matthews and Sciver-Brunt, while Kanika Ahuja was cleaned up by Sanskriti Gupta, who registered her maiden WPL wicket.

Ellyse Perry took charge, continuing her impressive form against MI. She played the aggressor while Richa Ghosh anchored the innings. The duo added 50 runs before Amanjot Kaur shattered Ghosh’s (28 off 25) off-stump, leaving RCB at 108/5 with six overs remaining. Kaur further dented RCB by removing Georgia Wareham (6), but Perry stood firm.

Perry’s blistering 81 off 43 balls powered RCB to 167/7, with 45 runs coming off the last four overs. She reached her fifty in just 30 balls, celebrating with a magnificent six over long-on. Amanjot dismissed Perry on the penultimate ball, earning applause from the home crowd for her career-best WPL knock.

Sciver-Brunt’s Early Blitz Sets Up MI Chase

Chasing 168, MI lost Bhatia early in the second over. Sciver-Brunt, in scintillating form, continued her purple patch with a breathtaking 18-ball 41* inside the powerplay, propelling MI to 66/2. However, her innings was cut short at 42 when an off-cutter from Kim Garth crashed into her stumps.

The chase stuttered briefly as Amelia Kerr (2 off 6) followed soon after, leaving MI at 82-4 at the halfway stage, still requiring 86 runs. The innings needed stability, and captain Harmanpreet provided it with a crucial 62-run stand alongside Amanjot Kaur. The MI skipper brought up her sixth WPL fifty in the 16th over, smashing the first six of the innings in the process.

With only 24 runs required from the last three overs, MI seemed in control. However, Wareham’s stunning over changed the equation, conceding just two runs while dismissing Harmanpreet (50 off 38) and Sajeevan Sajana in consecutive deliveries. With MI needing 22 off 12 balls, the pressure mounted.

Amanjot, Kamalini Seal Victory in Style

Amanjot Kaur swung the momentum back with two powerful sixes off Ahuja in the penultimate over, reducing the equation to two runs from the final two balls. The stage was set for Kamalini, who carved a glorious shot through the covers to secure a memorable win for MI.

With this victory, MI have now won four out of six encounters against RCB, asserting their dominance once again.

Brief Scores: Mumbai Indians 170/6 in 19.5 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 50, Amanjot Kaur 34*, Georgia Wareham 3-21) beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru 167/7 in 20 overs (Ellyse Perry 81, Richa Ghosh 28, Amanjot Kaur 3-22).