WPL 2024 Eliminator - RCB do the unimaginable, knock out defending champions MI to secure their spot in Final

What an unexpected turn of events! In the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2024 Eliminator clash between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), MI seemed to have the game in their grasp, needing just 20 runs off the last three overs with two well-set batters at the crease. Even MI captain Harmanpreet Kaur got a lifeline when Richa Ghosh missed a stumping chance. However, Shreyanka Patil maintained her composure and dismissed Kaur with the final ball of her spell. From then on, the defending champions struggled to recover from the setback, ultimately losing by five runs.

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RCB's victory came as a surprise, especially considering their modest total of 135 runs for 6 wickets in 20 overs. In response, Mumbai's start wasn't explosive, managing only 37 runs for the loss of Hayley Matthews (15) in the Powerplay. Ellyse Perry claimed the crucial wicket of Yastika Bhatia (19 off 27 balls), bringing Nat Sciver-Brunt (23) and Kaur together at the crease

Although Kaur survived a run-out chance on 0, Sciver-Brunt seemed settled. However, she fell victim to Georgia Wareham. Amelia Kerr then joined Kaur, forming a promising partnership of 50 runs. 

MI appeared to be cruising towards their second WPL final, but Sophie Molineux and Asha Sobhana tightened the screws in the final two overs, dismissing S Sajana (1) and Pooja Vastrakar (4) respectively. In the last 18 balls, MI managed just 14 runs, failed to hit a boundary, and lost three wickets.

Earlier in the match, when RCB won the toss and chose to bat first, eyebrows were raised as teams chasing had mostly emerged victorious. Against the trend, RCB opted to bat and sent Sophie Devine to the top of the order with a positive intent, scoring four boundaries off the first eight balls. However, the defending champions fought back strongly, picking up three wickets within three overs. 

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Despite Richa Ghosh and Molineux's efforts to accelerate, they fell cheaply. Perry, however, stood firm, punishing loose deliveries to notch up a crucial half-century after claiming a six-wicket haul in her previous outing against the same opposition. Wareham provided valuable support towards the end as RCB finished with a respectable total of 135 runs.

Teams:

Mumbai Indians Women (Playing XI): Hayley Matthews, Yastika Bhatia(w), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Amelia Kerr, Amanjot Kaur, Pooja Vastrakar, S Sajana, Humaira Kazi, Shabnim Ismail, Saika Ishaque

Royal Challengers Bangalore Women (Playing XI): Smriti Mandhana(c), Sophie Molineux, Ellyse Perry, Sophie Devine, Richa Ghosh(w), Georgia Wareham, Disha Kasat, Shreyanka Patil, Asha Sobhana, Shraddha Pokharkar, Renuka Thakur Singh.