UP Warriorz made history on February 24, 2025, by winning the first-ever Super Over match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. This thrilling encounter was marked by dramatic twists and turns, culminating in an intense Super Over showdown.
The match kicked off with RCB batting first, where they posted a competitive total of 180 runs for the loss of six wickets. Leading the charge was Alice Perry, who delivered a breathtaking performance with the bat, scoring 90 runs off 56 balls, supported by Danielle Wyatt, who contributed 57 runs off 41 deliveries. This stellar pairing helped RCB build momentum, but they faced early setbacks, losing their captain Smriti Mandhana for just six runs.
UP Warriorz, captained by Dipti Sharma, elected to field first after winning the toss, and their bowlers put up resistance against the RCB batting lineup. Chinelle Henry and Tahlia McGrath each took key wickets, with UPW hoping to chase down RCB's target. The game took a nail-biting turn as UP Warriorz struggled initially but kept fighting to equal RCB’s score.
After losing numerous wickets, UP Warriorz found themselves needing 18 runs off the last over, as Sophie Ecclestone battled valiantly, scoring 33 runs from just 19 balls. The roller-coaster ride of the match extended thrillingly as the teams tied at 180 runs each, pushing the match to the Super Over, which had never happened before in WPL history.
Entering the Super Over, UP Warriorz batted first and scored 8 runs, with Chinelle Henry and Ecclestone playing pivotal roles. Henry had to be cautious but eventually perished, giving Ecclestone the chance to bolster the score. On the other hand, RCB struggled, managing only 4 runs, which led to their defeat.
The matchup showcased Ecclestone's incredible all-round contribution—starting with her game-changing batting and solid bowling display during the Super Over. After the match, UPW captain Dipti Sharma praised Ecclestone, stating, "Sophie played tremendously, both with bat and ball. Her performance turned the game around." Meanwhile, Smriti Mandhana reflected on the loss, saying, "It was disappointing; we did many things right with batting and bowling. That's how cricket goes; we'll take it and come back stronger."
The game's outcome not only marks UP Warriorz’s second win of the season, tying their position with RCB on points, but it also adds to the excitement of the WPL, highlighting the league’s competitive nature and the thrilling dynamics of women’s cricket.