The battle between the Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru women unfolded dramatically at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium on February 21, 2025, where MI clinched their second victory of the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 season. The heart-stopping match concluded with MI defeating RCB by 4 wickets, making it RCB's first loss after two consecutive wins.
Chasing RCB’s challenging target of 168 runs, MI found themselves on the defensive early on when they lost Yastika Bhatia cheaply for just 8 runs. But the MI batting lineup quickly adapted, led by the impressive Nat Sciver-Brunt and Hayley Matthews. Their partnership laid the foundation for MI's response, with Sciver-Brunt smashing 42 runs off just 21 balls, inclusive of nine fours, before being dismissed.
At the crease, Sciver-Brunt displayed aggressive yet calculated cricket. Her dismissal catalyzed RCB’s resurgence, temporarily stalling MI's momentum as Georgia Wareham capitalized on this with quick wickets, including the prized scalp of skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who scored 50 runs off 38 deliveries—a knock highlighted by eight boundaries and one six.
The MI innings wavered after certain dismissals, but Amanjot Kaur, with the calmness of seasoned players, partnered well with G Kamalini. Kaur contributed 34 runs off 27 balls and played the perfect foil to Kamalini, who scored the winning runs with just one ball to spare. With RCB needing to defend their total, the pressure mounted as both teams battled fiercely.
Earlier, RCB, batting first, posted 167 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. Ellyse Perry stood out with her spectacular 81 runs off just 43 balls, showcasing her powerful batting skills with 11 fours and 2 sixes. RCB’s captain Smriti Mandhana had also started aggressively but fell short on 26 runs before the middle-order collapse commenced. Richa Ghosh provided some resistance with 28 runs, but it was Perry who anchored RCB through turbulent waters, ensuring they reached a competitive score.
A notable moment from RCB's innings was the early dismissal of their players, which put the batting side under immense pressure when they were initially struggling at 57 for 4 wickets. This opened opportunities for MI’s Amanjot Kaur, who delivered valuable contributions both with the bat and by restricting runs, taking 3 wickets for only 22 runs during the innings.
Amanjot’s bowling heroics contributed significantly as she dismissed Richa Ghosh with a spectacular off-stump delivery, catching the batter unaware, and later brought down Georgia Wareham, continuing to build the pressure on RCB’s batting order. Her three wickets helped disrupt the flow of the game and shifted the momentum squarely to MI’s side.
Despite the odds against them, MI maintained composure and rhythm throughout the chase. After losing key wickets, the camaraderie between Amanjot and Kamalini solidified the innings, with Amanjot targeting Kanika Ahuja, hitting two sixes off her bowling, showcasing her capability to handle pressure moments effectively.
With their positioning set, MI entered the final over needing just six runs to clinch victory. G Kamalini, only 16 years old, delivered the final blow with her boundary off Ekta Bisht, sealing the match for MI and marking their triumph against the defending champions.
Amanjot’s performance, fully backed by her captain Harmanpreet, earned her the Player of the Match award. She reflected on the game’s intensity, expressing, "Feels really happy and tough to express this feeling in words. I knew I had to stay till the end and make sure we achieved our target." Her excitement was palpable as she celebrated MI's win, highlighting the significance of unity and collaboration.
For RCB, Smriti Mandhana remained optimistic, noting, "Can’t say one turning point but really proud of the way the girls fought back. We’ll think about what went wrong, but it’s important to stay positive for the next matches." Despite the setback, RCB retains their footing to push forward through the tournament as they prepare for their upcoming matches.
The match captured the spirit of the WPL, bringing thrilling, nail-biting moments to fans. With varied performances from both teams, the stakes have been raised for the competitive league, paving the way for upcoming rivalry matches with heightened levels of anticipation from supporters.