WPL 2025 Thriller: UP Warriorz Stun RCB in High-Scoring 18th Match Showdown!
Lucknow/Patiala, 09 March (Sports Desk)
In a nail-biting encounter on March 8, 2025, at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, UP Warriorz (UPW) delivered a sensational 12-run victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the 18th match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025. This clash, which turned out to be a run-fest, saw UPW post the highest total of the tournament so far and knock out the defending champions RCB from playoff contention, ending their title defense in dramatic fashion.
Match Overview
- Teams: UP Warriorz vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
- Date: March 8, 2025
- Venue: Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
- Result: UP Warriorz won by 12 runs
- Scoreline: UPW 225/5 (20 overs) beat RCB 213 (19.3 overs)
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UP Warriorz’s Explosive Batting
Opting to bat first after RCB won the toss and chose to field, UP Warriorz unleashed a batting onslaught that set the tone for the match. The star of the show was Georgia Voll, who smashed an unbeaten 99 off just 59 balls, falling agonizingly short of a historic WPL century. Her knock included powerful back-foot play and ferocious whips, showcasing her Queensland-honed skills. Alongside Voll, Grace Harris (39 off 23) and Kiran Navgire (46 off 24) provided explosive support, helping UPW pile on the runs.
- Powerplay: UPW raced to 67/0 in the first six overs, hitting 13 boundaries—the second-most in a WPL powerplay.
- Key Partnerships: Voll and Harris stitched together a 50-run stand in just 29 balls, while Navgire’s aggressive hitting, including back-to-back sixes off Georgia Wareham, propelled UPW past 100 in the 9th over.
- Late Surge: Despite losing wickets in the backend, Voll’s relentless scoring ensured UPW reached 225/5—the highest team total in WPL 2025 so far. Sophie Ecclestone (3 wickets later) and Deepti Sharma (3 wickets later) chipped in with quick cameos.
RCB’s bowling struggled to contain the onslaught, with Georgia Wareham (2/43) being the pick of the bowlers, while Renuka Singh and Kim Garth were taken apart, especially in the powerplay and middle overs.
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RCB’s Valiant Chase Falls Short
Chasing a daunting 226, RCB started with fireworks, posting 70/2 in the powerplay—the highest of the season. Smriti Mandhana and Sabbhineni Meghana set the tone with aggressive strokeplay, but the loss of early wickets pegged them back. Richa Ghosh then ignited hopes with a blistering 69 off 33 balls (6 fours, 5 sixes), keeping RCB in the hunt.
- Middle Overs: Ellyse Perry (28) and Meghana (27) provided stability, but Ghosh’s dismissal with 55 needed off 22 balls shifted the momentum.
- Sneh Rana’s Heroics: Just when all seemed lost, Sneh Rana produced a breathtaking cameo—26 off 6 balls, including three sixes and two fours in a single over from Deepti Sharma (the most expensive in WPL history with 28 runs). Her onslaught brought the equation down to 15 off 7 balls, sparking wild celebrations in the RCB dugout.
- The Turning Point: Rana’s magic ended when she holed out to Poonam Khemnar at deep midwicket off Deepti Sharma, leaving RCB nine down. With 9 runs needed off the final 3 balls, Renuka Singh was run out, sealing RCB’s fate at 213.
UPW’s bowling heroes, Sophie Ecclestone (3/25) and Deepti Sharma (3/50), held their nerve in the clutch moments, ensuring victory despite the late scare.
Key Performers
- Player of the Match: Georgia Voll (99* off 59) for her match-defining knock.
- Top Batters: Voll (99*), Ghosh (69), Navgire (46)
- Top Bowlers: Ecclestone (3/25), Deepti (3/50), Wareham (2/43)
Head-to-Head Context
In their WPL history, RCB had won 3 of the 5 previous encounters against UPW, making this victory a significant upset for the Warriorz. This win also marked the end of RCB’s campaign, as they needed victories in their last two games to stay alive but couldn’t overcome UPW’s brilliance.
