Royal Challengers Bangalore produced a stunning comeback to defeat Mumbai Indians by five runs in the Women’s Premier League 2024 eliminator clash and qualify for the first-ever final on Friday, March 15.

The star Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry recorded another brilliant performance by smashing a fifty and one crucial wicket to help RCB knock out the defending champions at New Delhi’s Arun Jaitely Stadium. 

Perry top-scored with 66 runs off 50 balls, her second fifty in the tournament, to help Bangalore post a total of 135/6 batting first. Mumbai dominated the majority of the game but RCB bowlers made a sensational comeback in the death overs to seal the low-scoring thriller. 

After qualifying for a playoff with a dominant win over Mumbai, Smriti Mandhana-led RCB won the crucial toss and elected to bat first with the same playing eleven. Mumbai welcomed back in-form opener Yastika Bhatia in their playing eleven with Priyanka Bala sitting out. 

Smriti Mandhana and Sophie Devine gave RCB a hopeful start by smashing three fours off in-form MI pacer Shabnim Ismail. But Mumbai bowlers were quick to reply with Devine and Mandhana’s wickets in the next two overs. 

Mumbai Indians Playing XI: Hayley Matthews, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Amelia Kerr, Amanjot Kaur, Pooja Vastrakar, S Sajana, Humaira Kazi, Shabnim Ismail, Saika Ishaque.

Royal Challengers Bangalore Playing XI: Smriti Mandhana (c), Sophie Molineux, Ellyse Perry, Sophie Devine, Richa Ghosh (wk), Georgia Wareham, Disha Kasat, Shreyanka Patil, Asha Sobhana, Shraddha Pokharkar, Renuka Thakur Singh.

More to follow…