WPL 2023: RCB finally break 5-match losing streak; Kanika Ahuja, Ellyse Perry star in one-sided contest

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) were sixth-time lucky as they finally secured their first win of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) season. Playing against UP Warriorz, RCB got the better of them by five wickets as  Kanika Ahuja starred with bat and scored 46 runs while Ellyse Perry scalped three wickets. The win has kept RCb in the hunt for the playoff places as they still have a mathematical chance. 

Needing 136 runs to win, RCB got off to a mixed start as Sophie Devine was dismissed for 14 in the first over despite a terrific start. Skipper Smriti Mandhana then followed in the next over as she departed without troubling the scorers for a duck in the very next over. However, Kanika and Richa Gosh stitched together a partnership of 60 runs for the fifth wicket that ultimately propelled RCB to their first win.

Deepti Sharma ended with two wickets for the Warriorz while there were wickets a piece for Grace Harris, Sophie Ecclestone and Devika Vaidya. 

The RCB bowlers kept up the pressure on UP Warriorz (UPW) as they bowled them for 135 in 19.3 overs in their Women’s Premier League (WPL) match at DY Patil Sports Academy here on Wednesday.

For UPW Grace Harris scored the highest with 46 off 32 while Kiran Navgire and Deepti Sharma played crucial knocks. For RCB, Ellyse Perry begged three while Sophie Devine and Asha Shobana had two wickets respectively. Opting to field first, Royal Challengers Bangalore bowlers built pressure as Sophie Devine gave a double blow to UP Warriorz. Devine first removed Devika Vaidya for a duck and Alyssa Healy for one run in the first over of the game.

In the second over of the innings, Megan Schutt joined the wicket-taking party as she cleared Tahlia McGrath on her score of two runs. Kiran Navgire then opened her hands and slammed boundaries at regular intervals. However, Navgire’s short stint at the crease came to an end as she was dismissed by Asha Shobana after scoring 22 off 26. Simran Shaikh then came out to bat. Shobana stuck again providing her team with another wicket as she dismissed Shaikh for 2.