‌WPL | Twitter reacts to Perry, Mandhana, and Rana douse MI’s direct final’s spot as RCB bows out with a consolation win

Squaring up for the final league stage game of the third edition of the Women’s Premier League, Harmanpreet Kaur, the Mumbai indians captain, opted to field first. The decision backfired, with the RCB openers aggregating 41 runs for the opening stand in just 21 balls. This set the foundation for a 53-run powerplay before Ellyse Perry played second fiddle to Mandhana’s 53. As soon as RCB touched the hundred-run mark in the twelfth over, Amelia Kerr removed the skipper before Richa Ghosh brought about a 22-ball 36 runs blitz. RCB reached 160 in 18 overs before Georgia Wareham’s unbridled 10-ball 31, assisted by bizarre misfieldings, and Perry’s 49* steered the defending champions to 199/3 in 20 overs. 

Eyeing to chase down the big total and punch a direct qualification into the grand finale, Mumbai Indians’ think tank’s ploy to promote Amelia up the order didn’t quite pay dividends. She followed suit with Hayley Matthews inside the 45-run powerplay, making way for two experienced campaigners in Natalie and Harmanpreet. The duo consolidated 53 runs for the third-wicket before a Kim Garth slower one fragmented the building partnership. Soon after, Perry had the last laugh over Natalie (69), followed by Sneh Rana removing Yastika Bhatia to earn her third scalp. Amanjot Kaur, G Kamalini, and Sanskriti Gupta followed back to the hut in consecutive overs with 28 needed off the last over. A double and a couple of wides followed before Sajana unleashed back-to-back sixes against Perry to bring back MI’s hopes for direct qualification for the finals. With twelve needed off the last three balls, Sajana succumbed to the pressure, losing by eleven runs.

That was cool!

Brilliant from all of them!

Yeah!

She was fighting hard!

Yeah!

Yupe!

Queen!

Better choice!

True that!