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Cricket fans were treated to an unforgettable spectacle on Monday as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and UP Warriorz (UPW) etched their names into history. In a high-octane showdown at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, the two teams battled to a nail-biting tie, both scoring 180 runs in their 20 overs, forcing the league’s maiden Super Over. The drama peaked as UPW held their nerve to clinch a thrilling victory, defending a modest 8 runs in the eliminator. From Ellyse Perry’s masterclass to Sophie Ecclestone’s heroics, the match was a rollercoaster of emotions, proving why the WPL continues to captiva𒁃te audiences globally.
Ellyse Perry’s powerhouse performance sets the stage
RCB’s innings was anchored by a blistering knock from Perry, who showcased her world-class pedigree with an unbeaten 90 off 56 balls. The Australian all-rounder dominated UPW’s bowlers, striking 10 boundaries and a towering six. Partnered with England’s Danni Wyatt-Hodge (57 off 41), the duo stitched a 112-run stand, propelling RCB to 180/3. Despite UPW skipper Deepti Sharma’s tactical bowling changes, Perry’s calculated aggression ensured RCB posted a formid🉐able total.
Deepti Sharma’s calculated risk backfires
Opting to field first, UPW’s decision initially seemed questionable as Perry and Wyatt-Hodge ran riot. However, Deepti’s bowlers clawed back in the death overs, with Tahlia McGrath, Chinelle Henry, and Deepti herself claiming key wickets. Yet, the target of 181 appeared daun✱ting.ꦉ The Warriorz needed a collective effort, but early hiccups left them reeling at 60/3. Little did fans know, the chase would soon spiral into a heart-stopping climax.
Ecclestone’s heroics: From bowling star to batting savior
Enter Sophie Ecclestone, known for her left-arm spin, the English star turned unlikely batting hero for UPW. With her team needing 43 off 18 balls, Ecclestone unleashed a savage 33* off just 12 deliveries, including three sixes and two boundaries. Her fearless hitting, combined with Shweta Sherawat’s composed 31, brought UPW roaring back. A six off the penultimate 𒉰ball by Ecclestone tied the game, sending the crowd into pandemꦛonium and the match into uncharted territory: the WPL’s first Super Over.
Richa Ghosh gets Ecclestone short of her crease
Richa Ghosh’s evening was a tale of two extremes. Facing a daunting target of 18 runs in the final over, Ecclestone epitomized nerves of steel. Launching into ’s bowling, she bludgeoned back-to-back sixes, followed by a scorching boundary, slashing the requirement to a mere 2 runs off 2 balls. Ecclestone nudged a single off the fifth delivery, thrusting Kranti Goud into the spotlight to seal the chase. But Ghosh, conjured a moment of magic. Her razor-sharp ಌawareness and lightning-quick throw shattered the stumps, catching Ecclestone short mid-pitch🐓. While Ghosh’s brilliance couldn’t secure an outright RCB victory, it etched history by triggering the WPL’s inaugural Super Over. The young keeper-batter’s emotional rollercoaster symbolized the fine margins of T20 cricket.
Here’s the video:
What a game! After a brilliant last-over effort from Ecclestone, Renuka Singh kept her cool, taking us to the first Super Over of WPL! 👉 R🌠oyal Challengers Bengaluru v UP Warriorz | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi & Sports 18 Khel
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia)
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The Super Over spectacle kicks in
The Super Over was a microcosm of the match’s tension. UPW batted first, with Grace Harris and Ecclestone scrambling 8 runs after Kim Garth dismissed Henry (4). The spotlight then shifted to RCB’s pair, Smriti Mandhana and Ghosh. Ecclestone, entrusted with the ball, delivered a magical over: her pinpoint accuracy restricted RCB to just 4 runs. Richa, who had earlier orchestrated Ecclestone’s run-out in the 20th over, faced heartbreak as she managed only 2 runs off ꦗthree balls. The Warriorz erupted, sealing a histori๊c 4-run victory.
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