Synopsis
In a riveting match on February 21, Elysse Perry's stellar 81 runs led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a total of 167/7 against Mumbai Indians, despite early wickets. The clash showcased the prowess of two Women's Premier League champions.Key Takeaways
- Elysse Perry scored 81 runs, leading RCB's innings.
- RCB posted 167/7 in their 20 overs.
- RCB’s captain Smriti Mandhana contributed 26 runs.
- Richa Ghosh and Perry formed a crucial 50-run partnership.
- The average first-innings score at this venue was 152.
Bengaluru, Feb 21 (NationPress) Elysse Perry once again emerged as the savior for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, scoring an impressive 81 runs against the Mumbai Indians in a thrilling encounter featuring two champions of the Women's Premier League (WPL) on Friday. Despite the early setbacks with wickets falling, RCB posted a total of 167/7 in their allotted 20 overs, creating a challenging target in the seventh match of Season 3 at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Perry's innings was a masterclass, blending aggression and composure, as she struck 11 boundaries and 2 sixes while witnessing her teammates falter. Captain Smriti Mandhana, fresh from her 81 runs against Delhi Capitals, kicked off the innings with vigor, hitting two boundaries off Shabnim Ismail in the very first over.
However, it was Shabnim who ultimately claimed the wicket of Mandhana, who was caught off a back-of-the-length delivery after hitting two fours in the third over. Elysse Perry quickly made her presence felt by hitting a four on the very next ball.
Danni Wyatt-Hodge was the next casualty, dismissed by an outside off delivery from Nat Sciver-Brunt, leading to a straightforward catch for Hayley Matthews. Raghvi Bisht struggled in her season debut, falling on her third ball to Hayley. Kanika Ahuja also faced difficulties against spin, being bowled by Sanskriti Gupta.
In a pivotal moment, Richa Ghosh, who shone in the opening match against Gujarat, teamed up with Perry for a crucial 50-run partnership, helping the home team reach a competitive total.
During a tense period of 29 balls without a boundary, the duo finally broke the drought, with Elysse hitting a four and Richa following up with a six in the tenth over.
As the RCB innings progressed, Mumbai's captain Harmanpreet Kaur called on Amanjot Kaur, who swiftly removed Richa. Despite wickets tumbling from one end, Perry maintained her momentum, reaching her half-century in just 30 balls. After achieving this milestone, she accelerated, guiding RCB to a respectable total before being caught on the penultimate delivery of the innings.
The average first-innings score at this venue was 152 in the previous season, indicating a challenging task for the 2023 champions in the upcoming innings.
Brief score:
RCB 167/7 in 20 overs (Elysse Perry 81, Richa Ghosh 28, Smriti Mandhana 26; Amanjot Kaur 3-22, Sanskriti Gupta 1-3) vs Mumbai Indians.
