The MI vs RCB match in Vadodara turned out to be an adrenaline-packed encounter as Nat Sciver-Brunt’s incredible unbeaten century helped Mumbai Indians (MI) register a thrilling 15-run win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), moving MI to the second spot on the WPL points table.
Nat Sciver-Brunt Ends WPL Century Drought
Nat Sciver-Brunt (100* off 57 balls) ended the Women’s Premier League’s century drought with an incredible display of batting. Sciver-Brunt’s knock was the highlight of MI’s impressive batting effort as they scored 199/4, the highest score in the Vadodara leg of the tournament so far.
This historical knock also represents Sciver-Brunt’s third consecutive season with over 300 runs in the WPL (2023, 2025, and 2026), thus underlining her consistency at the highest level of cricket.
Crucial Partnership Turns MI vs RCB on Its Head
However, Sciver-Brunt and Hayley Matthews pressed the accelerator button drastically after a defensive start. The duo launched a match-winning partnership of 131 runs, thereby ripping apart the RCB bowling attack.
- Hayley Matthews scored 56 off 39 balls
- Sciver-Brunt got her fifty by hitting Shreyanka Patil
- Boundaries flowed freely against Radha Yadav and Nadine de Klerk
Although Lauren Bell eventually broke the partnership, the damage had already been done.
Mumbai Indians Post Tournament-Best Total
However, MI’s score was only 76 at the halfway point before they launched a ferocious attack in the second half of the innings. Sciver-Brunt added a boundary to move from 99 to 100, becoming the first centurian in WPL history as MI just fell short of the 200-mark.
MI vs RCB Chase: Early Collapse Dents Bengaluru
The RCB chase received an early boost as Grace Harris hit boundaries in the initial overs, but hopes of a 200-run chase were short-lived. The MI bowling attack was accurate and quick:
- Shabnim Ismail dismissed Grace Harris
- Hayley Matthews dismissed Smriti Mandhana and Georgia Voll in the same over
RCB lost half their side with just 35 runs on the board and 5 wickets down in the PowerPlay
Richa Ghosh’s Heroics Keep RCB Alive
However, Richa Ghosh gave a spectacular counter-attack performance. Maturing early in the match, she controlled her innings before unleashing a flurry of shots towards the end.
Ghosh hit 90 runs, with several sixes in the last overs
RCB required 71 runs in 18 balls at one point, giving a brief life to the drama
The 27-run penultimate over reignited hopes
However, Amelia Kerr’s last over turned the tide in MI’s favor.
MI vs RCB: Mumbai Hold Nerve in Final Overs
With 28 needed off the final five balls, Kerr bowled a crucial dot delivery that effectively ended RCB’s challenge. Ghosh continued to fight, hitting a couple more sixes before being dismissed off the last ball.
Match Summary – MI vs RCB
Mumbai Indians: 199/4 in 20 overs
Nat Sciver-Brunt 100*
Hayley Matthews 56
Lauren Bell 2/21
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 184/9 in 20 overs
Richa Ghosh 90
Hayley Matthews 3/10
Shabnim Ismail 2/25
Result: Mumbai Indians won by 15 runs
ALSO READ: Nat Sciver-Brunt Makes History With First WPL Century
