Asha Shobana's five-star performance at WPL 2024 - Meet RCB bowler whose fifer stunned UP Warriorz

What a way to start the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2024 as Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) Asha Shobana announced herself on the big stage in style, taking a fifer against UP Warriorz (UPW) and helping her side win their first clash. 

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Her spell of 5 for 22 in four overs was the main driving force for RCB's victory. Shobana picked up the key wickets of Vrinda Dinesh (18) and Tahlia McGrath (22) early on and later secured three more, especially dismissing the dangerous-looking Grace Harris, who scored 38, the highest for her side. Additionally, she sent back Shweta Sehrawat (31) and Kiran Navgire (1) later in the match.

Who is Asha Shobana?

Asha Shobana also known as Shobhana Asha, is an Indian cricketer currently representing Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Women's Premier League (WPL), with prior stints for Kerala, Puducherry, and Railways in domestic cricket.

Born on March 16, 1991, Shobana, a leg spinner and middle-order batter, embarked on her cricketing journey at the age of 13, initially playing for Trivandrum before progressing to the senior team. 

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Coming from Trivandrum and despite facing poverty in her upbringing due to her father's occupation as a driver, Shobana Asha persevered

In the WPL 2023, Asha played five matches and secured 5 wickets for RCB. Though she has yet to make her debut for the Indian national team, her consistent performances in the WPL could help her bag that dream cap.

Royal Challengers Bangalore vs UP Warriorz WPL 2024 Highlights:

This match, too, came down to the last ball at a sold-out M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, where fans came out in full force to support their favourite team. UPW needed 5 runs off the final delivery, mirroring the same scenario as Mumbai Indians (MI) against Delhi Capitals (DC) in the 2nd season opener.

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Chasing a total of 158 runs, UP found themselves needing 11 runs off the last nine balls, thanks to a resilient partnership between Harris and Sehrawat, which saw the side progress from 49/3 to 125/4. Poonam Khemnar's brief cameo, featuring three boundaries, brought UP tantalizingly close before they faltered.

Earlier, after being asked to bat first, RCB's Richa Ghosh (62) and Sabbhineni Meghana (53) staged a rescue mission and guided RCB to 158 after the side was at 54/3 due to the early dismissals of Smriti Mandhana, Sophie Devine, and Ellyse Perry.