UP Warriorz stunned the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the first-ever Super Over of the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025, held at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on February 24, delivering yet another thrilling chapter to the cricketing saga. This remarkable match not only showcased exhilarating talent and nail-biting moments but also marked the Warriorz's second victory of the season.
RCB, led by the formidable Ellyse Perry, put forth an impressive performance with the bat, reaching 180 runs thanks largely to Perry's dazzling 90* scored off 56 balls, supplemented by Danni Wyatt-Hodge's solid 57 from 41 deliveries. Their partnership of 94 runs for the second wicket laid the foundation for RCB's competitive total after losing captain Smriti Mandhana early on, bowled by Deepti Sharma for just six runs.
Perry, who has continued to climb the ranks of WPL batting charts, displayed her prowess by smashing nine boundaries and three sixes, but her efforts would not be enough to secure victory without the opposing team's resilience and strategy.
UP Warriorz's innings, initially promising with quick runs, swiftly turned perilous as wickets fell regularly. Openers Kiran Navgire and Dinesh Vrinda managed to ignite the scoreboard with quick runs, but the RCB bowlers, particularly Renuka Singh and Sneh Rana, dismantled the top order, bringing the chase to 72 for 4. With the pressure mounting, Sophie Ecclestone emerged as the game-changer, transforming the game with her explosive assault as she clobbered 33 runs off just 19 balls, anchored the innings, and brought the Warriorz to the brink of clinching their opponent's score.
With the match tied at 180 runs, both teams were thrust headfirstinto uncharted waters—the highly anticipated Super Over. The decider saw UP Warriorz set the bar low yet achievable, scoring just eight runs. Now it was up to RCB to chase down this modest target. Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh took to the crease, but the cunning and strategy of Ecclestone shined through as she bowled effectively, conceding only four runs to hand the victory to the Warriorz.
This nail-biting conclusion not only ignited excitement among fans but also lifted the UP Warriorz to third place on the five-team points table, highlighting their potential as formidable contenders this season. Perry's individual brilliance marks another record as she now stands as the leading run-scorer of the WPL, scoring 835 runs to surpass Meg Lanning's previous record. The match not only amplified the talent within the league but also represented the high stakes of the tournament.
Overall, this match was more than just statistics; it served as poetic justice for the UP Warriorz, who demonstrated tenacity and strength to dethrone the reigning champions. Enthusiastic fans are now left to ponder: how will this victory influence the dynamics of the WPL 2025 season?