RCB Women vs UP Warriorz WPL 2024-25: Smriti Mandhana’s 76 Seals Thrilling Win

RCB Women Triumph Over UP Warriorz in Thrilling WPL 2024-25 Encounter: Mandhana’s Masterclass Steals the Show

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Women clinched a nail-biting victory against the UP Warriorz Women in the 9th match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024-25, delivering a spectacle packed with explosive batting, strategic bowling, and edge-of-the-seat drama. Here’s a breakdown of the match that kept fans glued to their screens.


Match Recap: RCB Women’s Commanding Chase
Venue: Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai
Result: RCB Women won by 5 wickets (with 8 balls remaining)

UP Warriorz Women set a competitive total of 162/6 in their 20 overs, thanks to a gritty 68-run knock by captain Alyssa Healy and a late cameo from Grace Harris (29 off 14). However, RCB’s chase was anchored by skipper Smriti Mandhana, who smashed a sublime 76 off 48 balls, steering her team to victory with composure.

Key Performances

Smriti Mandhana’s Captain’s Knock
Mandhana’s innings was a masterclass in timing and aggression. Her 76 included 10 boundaries and 3 sixes, silencing critics after a slow start to the season. Partnering with Sophie Devine (34 off 28), she built a 98-run stand that laid the foundation for RCB’s chase.
Deepti Sharma’s All-Round Effort
Deepti shone for UP Warriorz, scoring 24* off 15 and taking 2/28 with her crafty spin. Her dismissal of Devine and Richa Ghosh briefly swung momentum back, but RCB’s lower order held firm.
Asha Sobhana’s Death Bowling
RCB’s leg-spinner Asha Sobhana (2/23) was instrumental in restricting UP Warriorz. Her crucial wickets of Harris and Kiran Navgire in the 18th over limited the damage in the death overs.

Turning Point: Mandhana’s Assault in the Powerplay

RCB’s chase gained unstoppable momentum during the powerplay, where Mandhana and Devine plundered 58 runs. Mandhana’s fearless approach against pacers Anjali Sarvani and Shabnim Ismail set the tone, leaving UP Warriorz scrambling for answers.


Where the Match Was Lost
Despite Healy’s heroics, UP Warriorz struggled to accelerate in the middle overs. Key batters like Tahlia McGrath (18 off 20) and Shweta Sehrawat (12 off 15) failed to convert starts, leaving Harris with too much to do in the final overs.


Fan Reactions & Social Media Buzz
#MandhanaMagic trended on X (formerly Twitter), with fans praising her return to form.
Memes flooded Instagram comparing RCB’s men’s and women’s teams’ fortunes.
Cricket pundits hailed the match as “a perfect advertisement for women’s cricket.”

What’s Next for the Teams?
RCB Women: With 2 wins in 4 games, they’ll aim to climb the table in their clash against Delhi Capitals.

UP Warriorz: Sitting mid-table, they need their overseas stars to fire against Gujarat Giants.