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RCB qualify for WPL playoffs for the first time

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Last updated on 12 Mar 2024 | 05:53 PM
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RCB qualify for WPL playoffs for the first time

Finally, the Smriti Mandhana-led side have put the jinx behind him, qualifying for the playoffs

One game, one opportunity, Royal Challengers Bangalore had one last shot at qualification.

But history was against them; they had never won against either Delhi Capitals or Mumbai Indians before this clash. Their hopes only reignited after UP Warriorz made a mess of their last clash against Gujarat Giants. 

Considering that they had never won against Mumbai ever, this was a herculean task. They had to beat history and had to do it on demand. A pressure of the highest order. That’s where, luckily, they had the best all-rounder - Ellyse Perry - on their side. 

Having not picked up a single wicket in this season, Perry saved the best for the last, with a spell of a lifetime. After being introduced into the attack, the Australian all-rounder knocked Sajana in her first over before removing Harmanpreet Kaur. 

From 65/1, MI collapsed under Perry's pressure to see themselves tumbling at 65/3. 65/3 turned to 69/4 before the spinners chipped in to bowl one of the strongest batting units of the competition to just 113 in a do-or-die encounter. 

Read: Perry-Perry too spicy for Mumbai Indians

Perry’s 6/15 couldn’t have come at a better time, with her spell also being the best-ever figure in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) history. But the chase wasn’t as straightforward, especially with MI's bowling unit. 

Hayley Matthews began the proceedings, removing Sophie Molineux in just the fourth over of the innings, stumped. Nat Sciver-Brunt then removed Smriti Mandhana from the other end to put RCB under pressure at 25/2. It became 39/3 later on when Shabnim Ismail cleared up Sophie Devine. 

RCB’s qualification looked tricky. But the hope was still there, standing tall: Perry. 

Perry saw through Ismail and later counter-attacked with 40 off 38, putting on a 76-run stand alongside Richa Ghosh. Only in their last group stage fixture was Ghosh on the wrong side of the result when RCB lost a nervy encounter by just one run. 

Ghosh did not put a foot wrong here, soaking all the pressure up front on 2 off 12 balls. But once she cleared the feet against the leg-spinner Amelia Kerr, there was no stopping the wicketkeeper-batter, who strolled through. 

First, she attacked one of the best all-rounders in the world, Nat Sciver-Brunt, before taking on a listless Saika Ishaque, who conceded 24 runs in her two overs. RCB sprinted across the line, winning seven wickets with 30 deliveries to spare. It took them to their first-ever playoff qualification in the WPL. Mumbai’s embarrassing loss meant that they were no longer on the foot front of leading the table, putting Delhi Capitals in a dominant position. 

However, things might change if Gujarat Giants continue their torrential run, having already beaten RCB and UP Warriorz with ease in their last two fixtures. It would require more than just a trashing for Giants to bring the rampant Capitals down the pecking order.

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