Mumbai Indians’ bowlers put up a clinical performance to restrict Royal Challengers Bangalore to a modest 131/8 in the Women’s Premier League match on Saturday.
After being asked to bat first, Bangalore lost three wickets in the powerplay and struggled to gain momentum. Ellyse Perry (44* off 38) and Georgia Wareham (27) provided some stability with a 52-run partnership for the sixth wicket, but the Mumbai bowlers kept the pressure on.
Natalie Sciver-Brunt and Pooja Vastrakar picked up two wickets each, while Issy Wong and Saika Ishaque took one apiece. The surface appeared slow, making it difficult for the batters to score freely.
In the chase, Mumbai openers Yastika Bhatia and Hayley Matthews got off to a solid start, putting on 29 runs for the first wicket. Bhatia was particularly impressive, hitting two boundaries and a six in her 18-ball 23.
However, Bangalore fought back with the wickets of Bhatia and Matthews in quick succession. Sophie Devine then dismissed Richa Ghosh for a duck, leaving Mumbai at 35/3.
Natalie Sciver-Brunt (15) and Amelia Kerr (14*) steadied the ship with a 29-run partnership, but the required run rate continued to climb.
In the end, Mumbai fell short by 11 runs, with Perry and Wareham remaining unbeaten at the crease.
