Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (RCBW) and UP Warriorz Women (UPW) delivered one of the most thrilling encounters of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 on February 24, 2025, as their match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium ended in a dramatic tie. Both teams finished with 180 runs after 20 overs, necessitating the excitement of a Super Over to decide the winner.
RCBW batted first, boasting power-packed performances with Ellyse Perry stealing the spotlight. After their captain Smriti Mandhana departed early for just 6 runs, it was the opening pair of Perry and newly-acquired Danni Wyatt-Hodge who steadied the ship. Wyatt-Hodge scored 57 runs off 41 balls, keeping the scoreboard ticking. Yet, it was Perry's remarkable innings of 90 runs off only 56 balls, filled with 9 boundaries and 3 sixes, allowing RCBW to post a formidable score of 180 for 6.
Meanwhile, UPW released their bowling arsenal, with Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, and Tahlia McGrath successfully limiting RCBW’s final overs. Sharma’s 1 for 42 and McGrath's quick breaks were pivotal as RCB lost wickets intermittently, preventing them from scoring even higher.
Chasing the total, UPW encountered early setbacks, losing Kiran Navgire (24 runs) and Vrinda Dinesh (14 runs) at the outset. The pressure mounted when Deepti Sharma (25 runs) fell quickly, leaving UPW’s middle order to rise to the challenge. Sophie Ecclestone managed to anchor her team with 33 runs off 19 balls, including shots to keep the crowd gasping for breath.
With 42 runs required from the last two overs, UPW needed something special. Ecclestone found her range, blasting two sixes and leaving her team just to squeak by. A valiant effort brought the UPW to 180 runs, but it was not without stretched nerves. Just as they equalized, one last wicket tumbled, triggering the Super Over.
The Super Over added yet another layer of complexity and excitement to this nail-biting contest. UPW batted first but managed to score only 8 runs due to RCBW’s outstanding bowling performance, with Kim Garth claiming the honors. RCBW needed just 9 runs to win the Super Over, and they aimed to capitalize on the momentum earlier created by Perry and Wyatt-Hodge.
Ellyse Perry who was one of the principal architects of RCBW's solid innings, showed remarkable composure under pressure, illustrating onlookers why she holds the key to RCBW's success. Carrying the mantle of lead scorer, Perry's performance has become the cornerstone upon which RCBW has built its campaign. Given the stakes and anticipation, the tension was palpable, keeping everyone on the edge of their seats.
The outcome of the match reflected the complex battle between the two teams, with both sides eventually obtaining equal footing on the scoreboard. The Super Over showcased the strategies underpinning cricket's technical aspects as well as the raw enthusiasm and spirit of competition characteristic of the WPL.
With the match tied at 180 runs, fans were treated to one of the tournament's best contests, offering both excitement and frustration as the players left everything on the field. With RCBW and UPW displaying such talent and determination, the race for the WPL 2025 playoffs is heating up, and the future of both teams looks promising.
Stand by as RCBW and UPW look to build on their strong performances, aiming for decisive wins to secure their chances of playoff success. What will be their next move? This electrifying saga continues as the WPL season rolls on!