The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 will be remembered for its fierce competition and unpredictability, and the final league match between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Tuesday night was no exception. In a dramatic turn of events, fourth-placed RCB defeated second-placed Mumbai Indians (MI), dashing MI’s hopes of direct qualification to the final. With this result, Delhi Capitals secured their spot in the final, set for Saturday, March 15. Meanwhile, MI will face Gujarat Giants in the eliminator on Thursday.
Earlier, MI captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and opted to field. Initially, the decision seemed questionable as RCB’s openers, Smriti Mandhana and S. Meghna, gave their team a flying start. Meghna blasted a quickfire 26 off just 13 balls, setting the tone. The in-form Ellyse Perry then built a crucial 59-run partnership with Mandhana, who played a brilliant knock of 53 before getting out. RCB’s aggressive wicketkeeper-batter, Richa Ghosh, further attacked the MI bowlers, smashing 36 off 22 balls. Perry, alongside Georgia Wareham, added 46 valuable runs as RCB posted an imposing total of 199. For MI, Hayley Matthews took 2 wickets, while Amelia Kerr chipped in with 1.
In response, MI stumbled early, losing star batter Hayley Matthews for 19, bowled by the experienced Sneh Rana. Rana struck again to dismiss Amelia Kerr for 9, putting MI on the back foot. However, Nat Sciver-Brunt, in scintillating form, held the innings together, partnering with Harmanpreet Kaur for a 40-run stand before Kaur fell for 20. Sciver-Brunt continued to find boundaries with ease, scoring a magnificent 69 off 35 balls. But after her dismissal, MI’s lower order faltered under pressure, falling 11 runs short of the target.
Sneh Rana, whose fine spell of 3 for 26 made all the difference, was named Player of the Match, keeping hopes of an Indian team recall alive. Perry and Kim Garth each took two wickets, as RCB’s bowling attack held their nerve to secure a consolation win.
Though MI’s defeat denied them a direct entry to the final, the eliminator against Gujarat Giants promises to be another thrilling encounter in this high-stakes WPL season.
