The Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 kicked off on February 14, and across the first week, fans have witnessed thrilling cricket as teams vied for supremacy on the field. With seven matches completed, excitement is brewing as the competition intensifies.
On February 20, the seventh match featured Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) against Mumbai Indians (MI). Mumbai sealed the victory, triumphing over RCB by four wickets, securing their place as one of the league's top contenders. This win marked Mumbai's second victory out of three matches, closing the gap on league leaders RCB, who suffered their first loss of the season.
The toss saw Mumbai choosing to bowl first, allowing RCB to set the pace of the game with their innings. Under the leadership of Ellyse Perry, who powered her way to 81 runs, RCB posted 167 runs after losing seven wickets. Supporting her were Richa Ghosh with 28 runs and Smriti Mandhana with 26. Yet, MI showcased their resilience as they chased down the target, primarily driven by captain Harmanpreet Kaur's pivotal 50 runs and Amanjot Kaur's unbeaten 34.
The match also highlighted MI's Amanjot Kaur, who excelled with the ball, taking three wickets during the contest. Post-match, MI found themselves rising to second place on the points table alongside RCB, also on four points, though trailing slightly on net run rate.
After three matches, here’s how the league standings look:
Aside from the team dynamics, the league has seen some scintillated individual performances as well. Sophie Devine, representing RCB, registered the highest individual score of the tournament so far, scoring 99 runs off just 36 balls against Gujarat Giants. Despite falling short of her century, her explosive batting kept everyone on the edge of their seats. Devine's innings set the tone for RCB's chase, showcasing her form and driving her team to victory.
Another standout performance came from Australian wicketkeeper-batter Ellyse Healy, whose 96 runs helped UP Warriors achieve their first victory of the season against RCB, maintaining her spot among the top scorers.
Currently, Ellyse Perry leads the league among top-scoring batters with 72.50 runs average and 145 runs. Following closely is Devine, with 179 runs at 89.50 average. The competition is intense, with both batting and bowling talents shining through, turning the games thrilling.
The matches have not only been about winning or losing but also about setting records. Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur has achieved the highest score by an Indian player with 95 runs against Gujarat Giants, showcasing the growing talent within the league.
Going forward, fans can expect more high-octane matches as teams jostle for position, and stars continue to rise. With its mix of seasoned international players and exciting young talent, WPL 2025 is living up to the hype. Top performances are set to be highlighted, and the teams will be eager to carve their path as they seek glory through thrilling cricket contests.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Women's Premier League continues to deliver surprising outcomes, record performances, and nail-biting finishes!