Bengaluru, (UNI) UP Warriorz Women clinched a dramatic victory in the Super Over against Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (RCBW) after the teams ended level on 180 in regulation play in their Women’s Premier League (WPL) encounter at Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Monday.
Sophie Ecclestone played a starring role in UP Warriorz’s win, delivering with both bat and ball. In the chase, she hammered a 19-ball 33, including one boundary and four sixes, to bring UPW close to victory before the match was tied. She then turned match-winner in the Super Over, conceding only 3 runs while taking a wicket to seal the triumph.
Opting to bowl first, UP Warriorz allowed RCBW to post a competitive total of 180/6, thanks to a blistering unbeaten 90 off 57 balls by Ellyse Perry. Danielle Wyatt-Hodge contributed a crucial 57 off 41 balls, while the rest of the RCBW batswomen struggled against disciplined UPW bowling.
Chinelle Henry (1/34), Deepti Sharma (1/42), and Tahlia McGrath (1/30) were among the wickets, with Ecclestone proving economical (4-0-29-0).
UP Warriorz, in response, also scored 180 but lost all ten wickets, forcing the match into a Super Over. Kiran Navgire (24 off 12) and Deepti Sharma (25 off 13) played crucial cameos, but RCBW’s Sneh Rana (3/27) Renuka Singh (2/36) and Kim Garth (2/40) ensured that UPW didn’t run away with the game.
With just one run needed off the final ball, Kranti Goud missed her shot, allowing wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh to execute a sharp run-out, setting up the tie-breaker.
In the Super Over, RCBW restricted UPW to just 8 runs, courtesy Kim Garth’s precise bowling. However, Ecclestone held her nerve with the ball, giving away just 3 runs and picking up a wicket. Needing 6 off the final ball, RCBW skipper Smriti Mandhana could only manage a single, sealing UPW’s victory in a thrilling encounter.
The win keeps UP Warriorz in strong contention for the playoffs, while RCBW will rue missed opportunities despite Perry’s heroics.
