The partnership between skipper Smriti Mandhana and star all-rounder Ellyse Perry in their fifties laid the groundwork for Royal Challengers Bangalore’s impressive 23-run victory over UP Warriorz in their Women’s Premier League clash on Monday.
Mandhana, scoring 80 off 50 balls with 10 boundaries and 3 sixes, along with Perry, who made 58 off 37 balls with 4 fours and 4 sixes, combined for a partnership of 95 runs in just 64 balls for the second wicket, propelling Royal Challengers to a commanding total of 198 for three.
The Warriorz’s pursuit didn’t offer many highlights aside from a fifty (55 runs off 38 balls, including 7 fours and 3 sixes) by their captain, Alyssa Healy, as they concluded at 175/8.
This match marked the conclusion of WPL’s Bengaluru leg, with the caravan now set to move to New Delhi starting Tuesday.
However, the visiting team made an explosive start to their innings, amassing 47 runs in just 4.2 overs as Healy and Kiran Navgire aggressively took on the RCB bowlers following an initial maiden over by pacer Renuka Singh.
Healy launched two sixes off pacer Sophie Devine in the second over to ignite the run-scoring spree, then proceeded to pummel Renuka for 24 runs in the subsequent over, with Navgire joining in the excitement with a boundary and a maximum.
However, Devine put an end to that partnership by dismissing Navgire, which resulted in a slowdown in the accumulation of runs.
Mandhana and Perry capitalized on the strong start as the UP bowlers struggled to contain their aggressive batting.
Mandhana exhibited impeccable timing, showcasing her ability to play shots across the field and displaying a dismissive attitude towards the spinners. This performance is likely to boost her confidence, especially considering her occasional struggles against spin bowlers.
Mandhana, who survived a dropped catch when she was on 28, particularly targeted off-spinner Athapathuthu and left-arm pacer Anjali Sarvani, punishing them with a barrage of boundaries and sixes.
UP needed a strong start in the pursuit, and following a quiet maiden over initially, they launched an aggressive onslaught in the subsequent three overs. Nonetheless, Kiran Navgire’s departure and a contentious review resulting in Chamari Athapaththu’s dismissal didn’t deter Alyssa Healy, who continued to play with a proactive approach.
The team suffered a setback when Grace Harris departed without leaving a significant impact, despite her pivotal role in recent chases. Although the captain managed to notch up a half-century, her dismissal shortly after swung the momentum once again. Deepti Sharma, however, maintained her impressive form this season and, along with Poonam Khemnar, sustained the chase.
Yet, as the asking rate climbed towards the end, they ultimately fell short by 23 runs. Nonetheless, Khemnar’s commendable knock of 31 off 24 balls stands out as a positive they can carry into the next game.
