The Royal Challengers Bangalore Women suffered defeat in a last-ball thriller at the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2024. The defeat left the entire team shell-shocked after suffering a 1-run defeat at the hands of the Delhi Capitals women. It was Richa Ghosh who almost took RCB women home with her smashing knock of 29-ball 51. But her run-out ended up being the decisive point in the game. After the game, RCB stars like Smriti Mandhana, and Ellyse Perry were understandably heartbroken as their title hopes ended prematurely.
While Smriti struggled to hold back her tears, Ellyse was all emotional as she realised RCB women were all but out of playoff contention.
While chasing 182 run target, RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana (5 runs from 7 balls) and Aussie batter Sophie Molineux (33 runs from 30 balls) came to the crease, however, they failed to give the Bengaluru-based franchise a good start in the game as Mandhana departed for just five runs. RCB was 9/1 in 1.3 overs.
But Ellyse Perry (49 runs from 32 balls) took things in control with her blitz knock but it was enough to take RCB to a better position. Perry smashed 7 fours and 1 six during her time on the crease. She partnered with Sophie, taking RCB to 89 in 11 overs before she was dismissed via a run out. Sophie was also dismissed by Arundhati Reddy, reducing RCB to 93/3 in 11.5 overs.
After Perry's dismissal, Richa started smashing and claimed her half-century in just 29 balls. The Indian wicketkeeper batter smashed 4 fours and 3 sixes at a strike rate of 175.86. She partnered with Sophie Devine (26 in 16 balls, with a four and two sixes) and Georgia Wareham (12 in six balls) taking RCB near an incredible win. When Sophie and Georgia were dismissed, RCB was 165/5 in 19 overs, left with 17 to make in final over.
Richa gave RCB a chance to stay afloat with two sixes. But needing two runs on final ball, she was run out and RCB missed out by a run.
With ANI inputs