Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ended their Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 season on a positive note with an 11-run victory over Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai, on March 11. Led by Smriti Mandhana, RCB finally broke their five-match losing streak, securing a consolation win.
Despite their struggles throughout the tournament, RCB delivered a dominant performance with the bat, posting a competitive 199/3 in 20 overs. MI put up a strong fight in the chase, with Nat Sciver-Brunt‘s blistering knock of 69 off 35 balls, but RCB’s bowlers held their nerve to seal the win. With this result, Delhi Capitals (DC) became the first team to qualify for the WPL 2025 final, while Mumbai will now face Gujarat Giants in the Eliminator for a spot in the summit clash.
Smriti Mandhana and Georgia Wareham shine in RCB’s power-packed batting display
After being asked to bat first, RCB got off to a blazing start, thanks to Sabbhineni Meghana’s quickfire 26 off 13 balls. She set the tone with aggressive stroke play before falling to Hayley Matthews. However, captain Mandhana anchored the innings with a fluent 53 off 37 balls, striking six fours and three sixes.
Ellyse Perry played a stabilizing role, scoring an unbeaten 49 off 38 balls, ensuring that RCB kept the momentum going. Richa Ghosh provided the late push, smashing a 22-ball 36, but Georgia Wareham’s explosive cameo changed the game. She hammered 31 off just 10 balls, with five fours and one six, taking RCB to an imposing total of 199/3 in their 20 overs.
Mumbai’s bowlers struggled on a batting-friendly surface, with Matthews (2/37) and Amelia Kerr (1/47) being the only wicket-takers. The rest of the bowling attack, including Shabnim Ismail, Sciver-Brunt and Amanjot Kaur, failed to contain RCB’s aggressive batters.
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Nat Sciver-Brunt’s heroics for MI in vain as RCB bowlers hold nerve
Chasing 200 for victory, Mumbai started aggressively but lost wickets at regular intervals. Matthews (19 off 16) and Kerr (9 off 10) fell early, putting MI on the back foot. Sciver-Brunt then took charge, smashing a 35-ball 69, laced with nine fours and two sixes. She single-handedly kept MI in the hunt, but RCB struck at crucial junctures to derail their chase.
After Harmanpreet Kaur’s dismissal for 20, the lower order had too much to do. Amanjot (17 off 15), Sajeevan Sajana (23 off 12), and Sanskriti Gupta (10 off 4) tried to accelerate, but RCB’s bowlers held firm. Sneh Rana (3/26) was the standout performer, dismissing key batters at crucial moments, while Ellyse Perry (2/53) and Kim Garth (2/33) provided vital breakthroughs. Despite Mumbai reaching 188/9 in 20 overs, they fell 11 runs short, handing RCB a much-needed win before exiting the tournament.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Wah Georgia W, today you had to show your proper potential with the bat. Pisses me off, the talent this team has & the way they underperform.
— arfan (@Im__Arfan) March 11, 2025
If DC Women bottle the trophy this year, they ain’t winning it ever. Best chance.MI and GG don’t look threatening at all.
— Sai (@akakrcb6) March 11, 2025
Only teams like RCB would make such matches interesting 😂😂 no way Mumbai lost by only 11 runs and got this close to winning the match.
— Archer (@poserarcher) March 11, 2025
Unfortunate to see that injury to Sneh Rana which could potentially mean the end of the season for her.
Last game anyway for RCB, but I am happy that she leaves having made a very positive impact in al facets and potentially sealed a deal for the seasons to come.
— Jeet Vachharajani (Women’s Cricket) (@Jeetv27WC) March 11, 2025
RCB not in the playoffs but they’ve had some of the best performers in this WPL
All 3 of Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghosh & Renuka Singh Thakur easily having their best ever WPL season
Would be in my TOTT#WPL #WPL2025 #MIvRCB
— Mohit Shah (@mohit_shah17) March 11, 2025
RCB showed faith in Sneh Rana, and she didn’t let us down. 🥹 #MIvRCB #WPL2025
— Prathamesh Avachare (@onlyprathamesh) March 11, 2025
🚨Delhi Capitals make the Final Directly for the third Straight Season.
RCB Defeats MI in the last Group Game of WPL2025.#WPL pic.twitter.com/Dx0CT3jzDj
— Gurjinder Bal (@Gurjind56659796) March 11, 2025
Cheers RCB 🍷
Thanks for the help 🤝🏼
DC IN THE FINAL 😍
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) March 11, 2025
Rana rose to the occasion and delivered a match-winning spell! 😵💫👏
Huge shoutout to her for playing with the heart of a warrior and putting it all on the line today! 🫡#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #SheIsBold #WPL2025 #MIvRCB pic.twitter.com/wXvTXYXPME
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) March 11, 2025
Defending Champions RCB End WPL 2025 on a High! 🔥
They sign off with a strong victory over Mumbai Indians! 🏏💪#Cricket #WPL #WPL2025 #RCB pic.twitter.com/DyQyg8OvsK
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) March 11, 2025
Also READ: WPL 2025 – RCB superstar Ellyse Perry reveals her admiration for the Kumbh Mela
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
