History!!!Royal Challengers Bangalore Qualify For WPL Playoffs For The First Time

As the Women’s Premier League 2024 nears its conclusion, we finally get a clear picture of the Playoffs qualification scenario, with RCB leading their way into the Playoffs for the first time in WPL history. 

RCB, led by Smriti Mandhana, have finally qualified for the WPL Playoffs after huge drama and continuous shuffling in the points table. With this, RCB joins the other two already qualified teams, Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals, in the Playoffs. UP Warriorz and Gujrat Giants are officially out of the race of playoffs after RCB beat Mumbai by 7 wickets in their last match of the league stage. 

RCB had one last opportunity to reach the 8 points and secure their place in the playoffs, which they earned respectfully by beating Mumbai Indians for the first time in the Women’s Premier League history. As we say, luck favours the brave. RCB got this opportunity after UP Warriorz made a mess in their last clash against Gujrat Giants. The task was difficult considering RCB’s history against Mumbai, but RCB had other plans with their best all-rounder Ellyse Perry joining the party. 

Ellyse Perry hammered Mumbai with a 6-wicket haul and 40 runs, ensuring RCB’s place in the playoffs. Before this match, she didn’t pick a single wicket in the tournament; she saved the best for the last. Conceding just 15 runs in 4 hours with 6 wickets, she delivered a spell of a lifetime that will be remembered in the history of WPL.

Main Highlights: Royal Challengers Bangalore Vs Mumbai Indians

Before the match, defending champions Mumbai Indians and Delhi were the only two teams that secured their place in the WPL Playoffs 2024. This was a must-win game for RCB, as they needed two points to qualify for the playoffs. UP Warriorz and Gujrat Giants would still be in the race if RCB lost this match, but Smriti Mandhana and Co didn’t give them a chance. 

After the heart-breaking one-run loss against Delhi Capitals, RCB were on the verge of elimination, but UP Warriorz gave them a second chance, which they accepted happily. Australian All-rounder Ellyse Perry delivered her career-best figures by taking a 6-wicket haul to restrict Mumbai Indians to a small total of 113 runs. Moreover, she scored an unbeaten 40 runs and a 70-run partnership with Richa Ghosh, who scored 36. This partnership helped RCB to achieve a total of 115-3 in just 15 overs. With this victory, RCB not only secured its place in the playoffs for the first time but also beat the Mumbai Indians for the first time in the history of the Women’s Premier League. 

Mumbai Indians started well with the bat, as openers Hayley Mathews and S Sajana scored a 43-run partnership. However, when Perry came to the attack, things changed drastically; she took 6 six wickets in her final three overs while conceding just 15 runs in her overall bowling spell, as Mumbai lost their 9 wickets for just 48 runs. 

RCB lost their openers, Smriti Mandhana and Sophie Molineux, within the first six overs of the match. Mumbai tried to exert some pressure early in the innings, but the partnership between Perry and Ghosh solidified RCB’s position in the Playoffs. 

With this win, RCB clinched the third and final spot in the WPL 2024 Playoffs.

Here is the latest ranking of the WPL 2024 points table:

Delhi Capitals will face Gujrat Giants in the final league start match on March 13, which will determine which team will advance directly to the final of WPL 2024.