Sciver-Brunt’s ton helps MI hand RCB their 2nd defeat in WPL 2026
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 has been a thrilling ride so far, with teams battling it out for the top spot in the points table. On Monday, Mumbai Indians (MI) took on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Vadodara, and it was a match to remember. MI’s Nat Sciver-Brunt stole the show with a stunning century, helping her team secure a 15-run win over RCB.
MI won the toss and chose to bat first, a decision that proved to be a wise one. The team got off to a solid start, with openers Yastika Bhatia and Hayley Matthews laying the foundation for a big total. However, it was Sciver-Brunt who took center stage, scoring a blistering 100* off just 57 balls. Her innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, with the Englishwoman smashing 12 fours and 2 sixes.
Sciver-Brunt’s ton was her first in the WPL, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Her partnership with Matthews was particularly notable, with the two adding 63 runs for the second wicket. Matthews herself scored a quickfire 31 off 22 balls, before falling to RCB’s Sophie Devine.
Despite losing a few wickets in the middle overs, MI’s batting depth allowed them to post a competitive total. Sciver-Brunt was the anchor, holding the innings together and taking her team to 199-4 in their 20 overs. It was a total that looked daunting, especially given RCB’s struggles with the bat this season.
RCB’s chase got off to a poor start, with openers Smriti Mandhana and Sophie Devine falling cheaply. The team’s middle order struggled to get going, with only Devika Vaidya showing some resistance. Vaidya scored 32 off 25 balls, but her innings was cut short by MI’s Amelia Kerr.
As RCB’s wickets fell, their hopes of winning the match began to dwindle. Hayley Matthews was the pick of the bowlers for MI, claiming three wickets for just 23 runs. Her spell was instrumental in restricting RCB to 184-9 in their 20 overs, a total that was 15 runs short of the target.
The win was MI’s third of the season, and it took them to the top of the points table. RCB, on the other hand, suffered their second defeat, and will need to regroup quickly if they are to stay in contention for the playoffs.
The match was a thrilling encounter, with both teams giving it their all. In the end, MI’s batting depth and Sciver-Brunt’s brilliance proved to be the difference. As the WPL 2026 continues to unfold, it will be interesting to see how the teams respond to this result.
For now, MI will be basking in the glory of their win, while RCB will be looking to bounce back from this setback. The league is still in its early stages, and there is plenty of cricket left to be played. One thing is for sure, though – the WPL 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting tournament, with plenty of twists and turns along the way.
As the teams move on to their next matches, fans will be eagerly waiting to see what’s in store. Will MI continue their winning streak, or will RCB bounce back with a vengeance? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure – the WPL 2026 is going to be a wild ride.
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