WPL: Emotional Smriti Mandhana in a state of shock as RCB stun Mumbai Indians to reach final

Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Smriti Mandhana was in disbelief as she broke into celebrations after RCB pulled off a heist against Mumbai Indians to reach the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 final. Meanwhile, MI captain Harmanpreet Kaur cut a dejected and emotional figure after seeing her team exit from the tournament following a 5-run loss . This is the first time RCB have reached WPL final and they will face Delhi Capitals in the summit clash.

Against defending champions Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator, RCB had their work cut out as they scored 135/6 batting first with Ellyse Perry top-scoring with 66 runs off 50 balls. If not for Georgia Wareham’s quick-fire 18 off 10 from the No. 7 spot, RCB would not have managed to post a winning total. Still, 136 was a chaseable target and MI were in control of the proceedings at 116/3 from 17 overs and with 20 more needed from the last three overs and Harmanpreet and Amelia Kerr at the crease.

This is however where the game turned in RCB’s favour as their spinners spun a web around Mumbai. Bowling the 18th over, off-spinner Shreyanka Patil conceded just four singles from the first five balls which put Harmanpreet under pressure resulting in a big shot on the last ball as she holed out at long on.

Left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux followed it up with another brilliant over as she gave away just four runs in the 19th over and stumped big-hitting Sajeevan Sajana. In the final over, the equation was 12 runs needed from six balls.

Mandhana handed the last over to leg-spinner Asha Sobhana who bowled an equally brilliant over, giving away just six runs and also dismissed Pooja Vastrakar stumped. Just as the match got over, RCB players broke into celebrations and Mandhana was in tears as result of the happiness of reaching the final.

“What a match. Still this feeling has not sunk in. At the halfway mark, we felt we were 20 runs short. But the way we bowled and fielded was amazing. 130 is a total where you are not sure whether to attack or defend, but the last over from Asha was unreal. Harman’s wicket was the turning point,” a delighted Mandhana said after the win.

It was an emotional end for Harmanpreet who was seen fighting back her emotions after the match got over.

RCB will take on DC in the final on Sunday (17 March).