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 each team giving it their all to secure a spot in the playoffs. In the 16th match of the tournament, Mumbai Indians (MI) took on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Vadodara on Monday. The match turned out to be a high-scoring affair, with MI emerging victorious by 15 runs.
MI, who were put in to bat first, made the most of the opportunity, posting a massive 199-4 in their 20 overs. The star of the show was undoubtedly Nat Sciver-Brunt, who scored an unbeaten 100 off just 57 balls. Her innings was a masterclass, with the Englishwoman hitting 12 fours and 2 sixes to take her team to a commanding total.
The MI innings got off to a solid start, with openers Yastika Bhatia and Hayley Matthews laying the foundation with a 40-run stand. However, it was Sciver-Brunt who took the game away from RCB, playing some breathtaking shots to all parts of the ground. Her partnership with Harmanpreet Kaur was particularly impressive, with the two adding 63 runs in just 6 overs.
RCB, in reply, got off to a decent start, with their openers, Smriti Mandhana and Sophie Devine, adding 30 runs in the first 3 overs. However, the introduction of Hayley Matthews into the attack changed the course of the game, as she picked up the wicket of Devine to put the brakes on RCB’s scoring rate.
Despite the loss of Devine, RCB continued to score at a good rate, with Mandhana and Ellyse Perry taking the team past the 100-run mark. However, the MI bowlers, led by Matthews, kept chipping away at the wickets, never allowing RCB to get ahead in the game.
In the end, RCB were restricted to 184-9, falling short of the target by 15 runs. Matthews was the pick of the bowlers for MI, finishing with figures of 3-23 in her 4 overs. Sciver-Brunt, who had earlier scored a century, also chipped in with a wicket, as MI secured their third win of the season.
The defeat was RCB’s second of the season, and they will need to regroup and come back stronger in their next match. For MI, the win was a big boost, as they look to consolidate their position in the top half of the table.
The WPL 2026 has been a highly competitive tournament so far, with each team giving it their all to secure a spot in the playoffs. The match between MI and RCB was a testament to the high standard of cricket being played in the tournament, with both teams giving it their all to emerge victorious.
As the tournament heads into its final stages, the intensity is only going to increase. With each team looking to secure a spot in the playoffs, the matches are going to get even more competitive. The fans are in for a treat, as the best women’s cricketers from around the world battle it out for the top prize.
In conclusion, the match between MI and RCB was an exciting encounter, with Sciver-Brunt’s century being the highlight of the game. The win was a big boost for MI, as they look to consolidate their position in the top half of the table. RCB, on the other hand, will need to regroup and come back stronger in their next match.
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