Nadine de Klerk brillance gives RCB thrilling win over Mumbai (Image Credit:- X)
Nadine de Klerk’s unbeaten 63 off 44 balls powered RCB to a thrilling three wicket win over Mumbai in WPL opener. Chasing 155, Nadine de Klerk struck a boundary off the final ball to help RCB cross the line.
Toss
Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Smriti Mandhana won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Mumbai Innings
Put in to bat, Mumbai made a slow start in the powerplay, scoring just 34 runs in the first six overs. Opener Amelia Kerr struggled with the bat, managing just four runs off 15 balls. Nadine de Klerk picked up the key wicket of Nat Sciver Brunt after the Powerplay, dismissing her for four.
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Seventeen year old wicketkeeper opener Kamalini impressed with the bat, scoring 32 runs off 28 balls. She was dismissed by Shreyanka Patil off the final ball of the 10th over. Mumbai slipped to 67/4 in 11 overs after Nadine de Klerk dismissed captain Harmanpreet Kaur for 20.
Nicolas Carey and Sajeevan Sajana carries Mumbai to 154 (Image Credit:- X)
The fifth wicket partnership of 82 runs off 49 balls between Sajeevan Sajana and Nicola Carey carried Mumbai to a respectable total. Sajeevan Sajana scored 45 runs off 25 balls, while Nicola Carey contributed 40 runs off 29 balls.
They finished on 154/6 in their allotted 20 overs.
Wicket Takers – Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Nadine de Klerk was the standout bowler for RCB, claiming 4 wickets for 26 runs in her 4 overs. Lauren Bell (1/14 in 4 overs) and Shreyanka Patil (1/32 in 4 overs) are the other wicket takers for RCB.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Innings
Grace Harris and Smriti Maandhana gave Bangalore a strong start in the chase, scoring 40 runs in 3.5 overs. Shabnim Ismail delivered the crucial first breakthrough for Mumbai by dismissing Smriti Mandhana, who scored 18 runs. In the very next over, Nat Sciver Brunt removed Grace Harris from the crease after she had scored 25 runs.
RCB then lost Dayalan Hemalatha for 7 , Radha Yadhav for 1 and Richa Ghosh for 6, falling to 65/5. Nadine de Klerk and Arundhati Reddy stitched a 52 run partnership off 51 balls for the sixth wicket, reviving RCB. Nicola Carey ended the partnership by dismissing Arundhati Reddy for 20 and Shreyanka Patil cheaply for just 1 run.
Nadine de Klerk single-handedly guided RCB closer, leaving them needing 18 runs to win in the final over. Mumbai captain Harmanpreet Kaur handed the ball to experienced player Nat Sciver brunt to turn the game in their favor. After two dot balls, Nadine de Klerk struck 6,4,6 and 4 in the final four deliveries, securing RCB thrilling win.
Two dropped catches and a missed run out opportunity against Nadine de Klerk ultimately cost Mumbai the match.
Wicket Takers – Mumbai Indians
Amelia Kerr (2/13 in 4 overs) , Nicola Carey (2/35 in 4 overs) , Amanjot Kaur (1/18 in 3 overs) , Shabnim Ismail (1/26 in 4 overs) and Nat Sciver Brunt (1/47 in 4 overs) are the wicket takers for Mumbai.
Player of the Match
Nadine de Klerk (63 runs off 44 balls & 4/26 in 4 overs)
Next Matches
1.Gujarat Giants Women vs U.P.Warriorz Women , 03:00 PM (IST).
2.Mumbai Indians Women vs Delhi Capitals Women , 07:30 PM (IST).