The second edition of the Women's Premier League kicked off with a commanding performance from Royal Challengers Bangalore, who defeated the defending champions Mumbai Indians by seven wickets at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday. The home side, led by a disciplined bowling effort and a fluent half-century from skipper Smriti Mandhana, chased down a target of 155 with 14 balls to spare.
Bowlers Set the Stage for RCB Victory
Winning the toss and opting to bowl first, RCB's decision was vindicated by their bowlers who kept a tight leash on the Mumbai Indians batters throughout the innings. The defending champions, led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, managed to post a total of 154 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs. The innings never quite found top gear against a persistent RCB attack.
For Mumbai, the main contributions came from their skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who top-scored with a brisk 46 off 32 balls, and all-rounder Amanjot Kaur, who provided a late flourish with an unbeaten 28 from 17 deliveries. Opener Hayley Matthews contributed 26, but the innings lacked substantial partnerships. The RCB bowling was a collective effort, with Sophie Molineux, Shreyanka Patil, and Georgia Wareham each claiming a wicket, while the others maintained economic spells.
Mandhana's Masterclass Seals the Chase
In reply, Royal Challengers Bangalore made a strong start, ensuring the required run rate was always under control. Captain Smriti Mandhana led from the front with a sublime 55 off 43 balls, an innings laced with nine boundaries. She anchored the chase with confidence and flair, setting the perfect platform for her team.
Mandhana found solid support from the experienced Sophie Devine (23) and later from Ellyse Perry (19*). The pair ensured there were no dramatic collapses. The finishing touches were applied by the explosive Richa Ghosh, who remained not out on 27 from just 15 balls, sealing the victory in the 18th over. For Mumbai, only pacer Shabnim Ismail managed to pick up a wicket, finishing with figures of 1 for 24, as the other bowlers struggled for breakthroughs.
A Statement Win to Start the Campaign
This victory marks a powerful start to RCB's campaign in WPL 2025, especially significant as it comes against the team that lifted the trophy in the inaugural season. The comprehensive nature of the win, built on a balanced team performance, sends a strong message to the rest of the competition.
For the Mumbai Indians, the loss exposes areas needing immediate attention, particularly their middle-order consistency and bowling potency in the absence of key players. The team will look to regroup quickly as the tournament progresses. The opening match, played in front of an enthusiastic Bengaluru crowd, successfully set the tone for what promises to be another thrilling season of the Women's Premier League.
