Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Mumbai Indians, Match 16 Match Summary

That's all, folks! That wraps up the action for tonight as the Mumbai Indians managed to cross the line and got a vital victory, keeping their tournament hopes alive in this do-or-die clash. We will be back on Tuesday, January 27th, when the Delhi Capitals lock horns with the Gujarat Giants, with play starting at 7.30 pm IST. Do join us early for the toss and pre-match buildup, but for now, it’s goodbye from the commentary box. Take care and cheers!

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Nat Sciver-Brunt gets the award for her unbeaten and historic century, scoring 100 (57). She says that it is a special moment for her but importantly, it was the runs on the board for her side. Adds that she is happy to get a good partnership with Hayley and she tried to be present in the match. She mentions that she was reacting to the ball and she had confidence on the shots she played. On her consistency, she says the girls keep asking her the same question. She explains that it is about preparing well, turning up mentally in the same way each time, and staying fully present in the match. When asked about having three shots in mind for one ball, Nat Sciver-Brunt smiles and says she is simply reacting to what is delivered and staying true to her strengths. She adds that she has confidence in the shots she likes to play. Nat also states that, tactically, some bowlers suit her strengths more than others, and if certain bowlers are on fire on a given day, it makes sense to look to score against the others.

The Captain of Mumbai Indians - Harmanpreet Kaur calls it a great match and mentions that it was a very good batting display from Nat, who set the tone with her innings. She also highlights the contribution from Matthews, adding that it is good to see her get among the runs and wickets. Speaking about the team environment, Harmanpreet points out that the core group has been playing together for four years and says that is something special about MI. She notes that whenever the team needs it, someone steps up and everyone comes together to give their best. She says she is really happy with the way the team performed tonight. She adds that the little break they had really helped, mentioning that some bonding sessions made a huge difference. On individual performances, she highlights Sciver-Brunt, saying she has always been there whenever the team needs her and that they love watching her bat the way she does.  She also points out Shabnim Ismail, noting that she has been waiting for a while and is always someone who takes crucial wickets, and says it is good to see her doing that.

Hayley Matthews is in for a quick chat - Hayley Matthews says that they did well to get to 200, but kudos to Richa Ghosh for the way she batted. Adds that they did well with the ball at the last but lost momentum towards the end. She says that she felt good at the start with the bat. She mentions that the wicket changed a bit as the opening overs were a bit difficult but as they got to know the wicket, they accelerated the innings. Says that she has a good relationship with Nat Sciver-Brunt and they knew which bowlers to target. Ends by saying that Rahila Firdous is really good as a keeper and it is great to have her in the side. Ends by saying she was happy to get the wicket of Smriti Mandhana.

The captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru - Smriti Mandhana reflects on the defeat. First, on being asked about Richa Ghosh’s knock, Mandhana calls it an absolutely brilliant innings and a treat to watch. She also highlights Nadine’s contribution, adding that such efforts often go unnoticed in defeat. From her perspective, this ranks among the best innings from Richa, underlining the quality and intent shown under pressure. On Nat Sciver-Brunt’s hundred, Mandhana describes her as a world-class player who can hit the same ball to three different areas, which makes life extremely difficult for bowlers. She gives full credit to Sciver-Brunt, saying the hundred is thoroughly deserved. Admits that RCB had very few answers. Adds that the way she accelerates is something every youngster should watch and learn from. Speaking about the bowling, Mandhana says it has been brilliant across the first five games, but on this occasion, a few bowlers are unable to get their lines right. She points out that T20 cricket does not always go according to plan, praises Lauren Bell for bowling well with the new ball, and notes that even when she comes back later, others are unable to step up. She adds that the team will think about their strategies and come back stronger. On the areas to improve, Mandhana reiterates that RCB is not complacent about qualification. She stresses the importance of winning one game to go straight into the final, accepts that there are a few things to work on, and reminds that with only five teams in the WPL, complications always arise towards the end of the season. Her message remains to keep things simple, because in T20 cricket, there are always good days and bad days.

Time for the Post-match Presentations...

Nat Sciver-Brunt's brilliant century! Earlier in the game, Mumbai Indians set a massive target of 200 runs against RCB after Nat Sciver-Brunt created history by scoring the first-ever century in the Women's Premier League. After RCB won the toss and chose to bowl, Sciver-Brunt remained unbeaten on 100 and shared a 131-run partnership with Hayley Matthews, who fell on 56. While Lauren Bell bowled well for Bengaluru, taking two wickets, Mumbai's powerful batting in this do-or-die game left the table-toppers with a huge target to chase.

Richa Ghosh fought till the end! Despite the early carnage, Richa Ghosh played a magnificent lone hand. After Nadine De Klerk chipped in with a steady cameo of 28 to stabilize the ship, Ghosh unleashed an incredible counter-attack, smashing 90 runs off just 50 balls. She fought valiantly until the very last delivery, but the target proved just out of reach. Amelia Kerr sealed the deal for Mumbai, dismissing Ghosh on the final ball as RCB fell short by 15 runs.

RCB’s Nightmare Start - Chasing such a massive target required a flying start, but Royal Challengers Bengaluru faced a disaster inside the Powerplay. The top order simply collapsed under pressure, leaving them reeling at a precarious 40/5 after six overs. The damage was done early by the fiery spells of Shabnim Ismail and Hayley Matthews, who ripped through the batting lineup and shared the first five wickets between them, leaving RCB with a mountain to climb.

Mumbai Indians Keep Playoff Hopes Alive! What a crucial victory for the Mumbai Indians! In a must-win encounter, they brought their 'A' game to the field, putting up a mammoth total of 200 runs. With this vital win, MI has successfully kept their playoff dreams breathing, proving they can handle the pressure when it matters most.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Done and dusted. Kerr drops it short on middle and off, and Ghosh steps down, looking to swing it miles. She loses her shape in the process as she tries to hit it too hard. The ball skews off towards point, where the fielder, Poonam Khemnar, completes the catch. A stunning display of power from Ghosh as she is dismissed on a sizzling 90 off 50 balls. Mumbai Indians win by 15 runs.

Much closer to the off stump, nicely floated on a fuller length, Richa throws her bat at it but only manages it to toe end down to long off.

SIX! GOES ALL THE WAY! How on earth has she managed to clear the ropes? Full and tossed up wide outside the off stump, Ghosh charges down the track and briefly loses her footing. Still, she gets the bat down in time, takes it on the full and muscles it over deep extra cover for a biggie.

SIX! Dismissed out of her presence! Dropped full and around off, Ghosh uses all her might and just smokes it over long off for a huge six.

Brave bowling from the Kiwi! Full and tossed up invitingly outside off at 76.3 kph. Ghosh clears her front leg and looks to launch it straight down the ground, but the ball beats her outside edge by a whisker.

FOUR! PUNISHED! Kerr serves it into the slot, on middle, Richa shimmies down the track and mercilessly drills it straight down the ground for a boundary. No chance for the long off fielder to cut that off as that went like a tracer bullet.

32 needed from the final over! Richa Ghosh is on strike. Can she pull off a miracle? Amelia Kerr to bowl the final over.

FOUR! Surreal shot! A length ball, wide outside off, Shreyanka creates room by backing away, and flatly smashes it over point for a boundary. 27 runs from the over.

FOUR! Goodness me, that's so easily done! Full and with pace on now, outside off, Shreyanka shuffles outside off, collapses the knee into the pitch and whips it over backward square leg for a boundary. Harmanpreet Kaur is visibly livid at her bowler, and her expressions say it all without any words. 23 runs off the over with a ball to go.

From around the stump, this is bashed on a length, angling across the right-hander, outside off. Ghosh drags it off the back foot, hits it a bit uppish to long on for a single.

SIX MORE! Three in a row from Richa Ghosh! Slower and shorter, just outside off, Richa Ghosh waits and waits and waits for the ball to come, gets deep inside the crease and nails the pull shot, clearing deep square leg for a massive six. The equation - 41 needed off 9 balls.

SIX! Clears the ropes with absolute ease! Fuller in length, on off, Ghosh finds the ball in her wheelhouse, clears her front leg, plants her back knee into the pitch and muscles it over long on for a cracking six. 47 needed off 10 balls. 150 up for RCB!

SIX! SMOKED! Slips in a dipping full toss, on off, Ghosh gets under it nicely and launches it downtown for a huge six.

FOUR! Off the top edge. Short at the shoulder height of the batter. Shreyanka gets across, tries to pull, but gets a top edge that races away to the deep fine leg fence.

Time for another concussion. This time Shreyanka Patil gets a hit on her helmet and the physio checks on her. All fine with Shreyanka Patil too...

Dug in short by NSB, on top of middle. Shreyanka lines up for the pull shot, but gets a thick top edge and the ball rams onto the helmet and drops down the strip. Shreyanka will go through a concussion test.

Around middle, on a length, Patil backs away and nudges it to cover.

WIDE! Length ball, sliding down leg. Patil misses the flick. Wide called.

Slight halt! The ball hits the helmet of Richa Ghosh and the physio is out in the middle for the mandatory concussion tests. All fine now and we are good to go...

Tries to be a bit funky now. A length delivery on off stump, Richa looks to play the ramp but gets a top edge onto her helmet. The ball dribbles away to short fine leg and they scamper through for a single. There will be a mandatory concussion check for Richa Ghosh.