Vadodara, Jan 26 (NationPress) The Mumbai Indians managed to fend off an impressive late surge from Richa Ghosh, securing a victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 15 runs in a nail-biting match of the 2026 Women's Premier League (WPL) held at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on Monday.

In pursuit of 200 runs, RCB found themselves in dire straits at 35/5 during the powerplay, as Hayley Matthews and Shabnim Ismail wreaked havoc on the top order, putting the team at serious risk of a damaging blow to their net run rate. However, Richa had a different plan, launching a spectacular counter-offensive, scoring 90 runs off 50 balls, including 10 fours and six sixes, nearly clinching an unbelievable win.

Having struggled to 55 runs off 40 balls in 18 overs, Ghosh unleashed a flurry of runs in the last two overs, accumulating 35 runs and giving MI a genuine scare before falling just short of victory on the final ball, with RCB finishing at 184/9.

Aside from those last two overs, MI delivered a dominant performance, keeping their playoff aspirations alive. Hayley ended with figures of 3-10, propelling MI back to second place on the points table.

Nat Sciver-Brunt recorded the first century in WPL history, leading MI to a formidable total of 199/4. After early breakthroughs by Hayley and Shabnim, Richa found support from Nadine de Klerk and Arundhati Reddy in the middle order, but the initial damage proved insurmountable despite her late fireworks.

This defeat marks RCB's second consecutive loss following their initial five victories. For MI, this win was crucial, providing a much-needed boost in confidence, with their senior players stepping up when it mattered the most despite the late scare.

This match will be remembered in history, as all-rounder Nat made her mark by becoming the first batter to score a century in WPL. After 1059 days and 82 matches, the WPL finally witnessed its inaugural centurion, and fittingly, it was Nat, who also achieved her maiden T20 hundred.

Coming in at an early stage, she absorbed the pressure before accelerating with exquisite strokeplay and timing that dismantled the RCB bowling attack in a flawless 57-ball century comprised of 16 fours and a six. Teaming up with Hayley, who contributed a brisk 39-ball 56, Nat ensured MI surpassed the previous highest score at the venue this season.

The duo formed a 131-run partnership, with boundaries flowing freely once they settled in. Although Hayley departed after reaching her fifty, Nat continued to push forward and reached the coveted three-figure mark in the final over.

RCB's bowling unit had a challenging outing, with only Lauren Bell managing some control, taking 2-21 in her four overs. The others struggled with their lengths, either being too full or too short, and were duly punished by MI's batters.

Opting to bat first, Sajeevan Sajana hit an early boundary but was trapped lbw by Lauren Bell in the third over. Nat then joined Hayley, and the pair forged a commanding partnership. They took their time to settle before taking off during the middle overs.

Sciver-Brunt's fluent strokeplay, especially through the leg-side, combined with Hayley's acceleration saw MI cross the 100-run threshold in the 12th over. Hayley completed her half-century but was bowled by Lauren for 56, ending a solid partnership that had put MI in a strong position.

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur maintained the momentum with a quick 20 off 12 balls, hitting two fours and a six before falling to Nadine de Klerk. Amanjot Kaur contributed briefly, but the spotlight remained on Sciver-Brunt, who continued to dominate RCB's bowling attack.

Boundaries flowed as Sciver-Brunt raced into the 90s. She achieved her maiden T20 century and the first-ever century in WPL history in the penultimate over with a single through long-off, finishing unbeaten on 100 off 57 balls. Although Amanjot was dismissed by Shreyanka Patil, MI concluded their innings at 199/4, the highest total at the venue this season.

MI struck early in their bowling innings when Shabnim dismissed Grace Harris, who had previously hit Sciver-Brunt for a flurry of fours, in the third over, catching her behind off Rahila Firdous. Hayley compounded RCB's woes by quickly dismissing skipper Smriti Mandhana and Georgia Voll. More joy followed for MI as Gautami Naik was bowled by Shabnim, while Radha Yadav fell for a two-ball duck to Hayley, leaving RCB at five down in the powerplay.

Nadine de Klerk attempted a fightback with 28 runs off 20 balls, hitting a six and three boundaries, but fell victim to Amelia Kerr's googly in the 11th over. When Arundhati Reddy and Sayali Satghare were dismissed in consecutive deliveries by Amanjot Kaur, RCB found themselves at 129/8.

At the other end, Richa fought a lone battle. She began carefully but picked up pace after the halfway mark, slicing and lofting for boundaries. She reached her fifty with a six over sweeper cover off Nat before launching a remarkable counterattack in the death overs.

Ghosh clobbered three consecutive sixes off Amanjot Kaur in the 18th over, followed by two more maximums and a four off Kerr in the penultimate over, raising hopes of an astonishing win. However, she ultimately fell to Sanskriti Gupta off Amelia for a breathtaking 90, as RCB's challenge ended in another defeat.

Brief scores:

Mumbai Indians 199/4 in 20 overs (Nat Sciver-Brunt 100 not out, Hayley Matthews 56; Lauren Bell 2-21, Shreyanka Patil 1-34) defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru 184/9 in 20 overs (Richa Ghosh 90, Nadine de Klerk 28; Hayley Matthews 3-10, Shabnim Ismail 2-25) by 15 runs.