A nail-biting game at Chinnaswamy Stadium on February 24 witnessed UP Warriorz defeat Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the inaugural Super Over of the Women's Premier League (WPL). Sophie Ecclestone's all-round excellence was instrumental in a high and low drama-filled match for both sides. In the last over Richa Ghosh pulled off a MS Dhoni-Style run out in the last ball.
RCB Posts a Tough Total
RCB scored 180/6 after being sent in to bat, with Ellyse Perry taking the lead, scoring an unbeaten 90 off 56 balls. She was ably supported by Danni Wyatt-Hodge (57), with the two adding 94 for the second wicket. Though there were a few dismissals, including RCB captain Smriti Mandhana, Perry's innings made for a fighting total. UP Warriorz bowlers, such as Tahlia McGrath (1/30), Chinelle Henry (1/34), and Deepti Sharma (1/42), picked up wickets at key moments.
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UP Warriorz Fight Back
UP Warriorz's pursuit failed in response as RCB bowlers mounted pressure. Kiran Navgire (24) and Dinesh Vrinda (14) gave the pursuit a good beginning, but rapid wickets by Renuka Singh (2/36) and Sneh Rana (3/27) left them at 93/5. In spite of a gallant 31 by Shweta Sehrawat, the pursuit was reduced to the last over, requiring 18 runs.
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Ecclestone's Heroics & Super Over
Sophie Ecclestone (33* from 19) struck a breathtaking last over, having two sixes and a four, which brought UP Warriorz close to winning. Richa Ghosh's great run-out pushed the game to a Super Over.
Ecclestone protected eight runs in the Super Over with spectacular bowling, holding RCB to a mere three runs from the first five deliveries. RCB required a six to emerge victorious, but Mandhana couldn't manage that, and UP Warriorz achieved a record victory by four runs.