Smriti-Perry combine revels as RCB subdues Warriorz

Their quickfire halfcenturies provide the substance and momentum to the hosts’ innings as they put on a total of 198; Healy’s fifty and cameos from Deepti and Poonam not quite enough as the UP team goes down by 23 runs

mriti Mandhana (80, 50b, 10x4, 3x6) instilled trophy hopes in the faithful supporters with an astonishing knock that helped the Royal Challengers Bangalore finish the home leg on a high.

On Monday night, after posting the Women’s Premier League 2024’s highest total of 198 for three, RCB handed UP Warriorz a 23run loss at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here.

While chasing a mammoth 199, UPW openers Alyssa Healy and Kiran Navgire scored 46 in the first four overs.

Kiran miscued the lofted shot and was caught by Georgia Wareham off Sophie Devine. Sophie Molineux trapped Chamari Athapaththu to give RCB the third wicket in a contentious DRS review.

SLast hurdle

Soon, Devine sent Grace Harris packing, and the Warriorz chase appeared to have derailed, but Healy’s grit remained a last hurdle for RCB.

It was Molineux who stumped Healy on 55 before Deepti Sharma and Poonam Khemnar added 41 for the sixth wicket.

Warriorz’s decision to chase backfired after it only managed 175 for eight.

Earlier, the league witnessed its first Indian opening duo with S. Meghana pairing up with Smriti, with outofform Devine pushed down the order.

Meghana took good advantage of the opportunity and struck five boundaries, scoring 28 off 21, and when Anjali Saravi dismissed her, RCB had already gone past fifty inside six overs.

Smriti pulled out her scoops and cuts from her arsenal, utilising behindsquare boundaries. Her shot selection and impeccable timing stunned the Warriorz as she reached a halfcentury in the 13th over.

Two dropped catches only made matters worse for UPW. Deepti finally broke her 95run stand with Ellyse Perry (58, 37b, 4x4, 4x6) after she holed out to Poonam.

Perry held centrestage once Smriti departed. Her blazing knock ensured the decibel levels always remained high.

K. MURALI KUMAR Lifting the team: Smriti’s enterprising knock meant RCB finished its home leg on a high.