WPL 2025: Voll's 99 Not Out and Deepti's Bowling Propel Warriorz Past RCB

Lucknow, March 8 (NationPress) With their playoff hopes extinguished due to consecutive home losses, UP Warriorz entered the match with nothing to lose and pulled off a stunning 12-run victory against the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025. This thrilling encounter at the Ekana Stadium concluded with a combined total of 438 runs, marking a significant moment in the league as both teams were eliminated, confirming the playoff spots for Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants, and Mumbai Indians.

The UP Warriorz concluded their campaign with a total of eight points, securing the playoff positions for the Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Giants ahead of time.

In an impressive display of batting, Georgia Voll achieved an unbeaten score of 99 off 56 balls, as the UP Warriorz set a new record in the WPL history by scoring 225/5 in 20 overs.

RCB began their chase of the unprecedented 226 runs with determination, nearly turning the tide thanks to remarkable performances from Richa Ghosh, who scored 69 off 33 balls, and Sneh Rana, who made a swift 26 runs. Despite their efforts, RCB fell short by 12 runs.

After being reduced to 80/4, RCB's fortunes changed with Ghosh's explosive batting. However, her dismissal came when RCB had reached 170 with 5 wickets down. Sneh Rana delivered a fierce assault on Deepti Sharma, scoring 28 runs in a single over, but RCB ultimately needed 15 runs from the final six balls, falling just short as Renuka Singh was dismissed early in the last over.

The defending champions began positively, reaching 70/2 before losing their captain Smriti Mandhana. Ghosh's stellar batting, which included five sixes, provided some hope before her dismissal significantly impacted RCB's chances.

For the UP Warriorz, Sophie Ecclestone and Deepti Sharma both took three wickets, applying pressure on the RCB batting lineup throughout the match.

Earlier, the UP Warriorz capitalized on less-than-stellar bowling from RCB, scoring aggressively and surpassing the previous WPL record of 223/5 held by the Delhi Capitals.

Voll's remarkable innings included 17 boundaries and one six, achieving a strike rate of 176.78. Her score of 99 not out ties her for the highest individual score in WPL history, matching that of Sophie Devine. She formed solid partnerships, scoring 77 runs with Grace Harris, 71 with Navgire, and 43 with Chinelle Henry.

Opting to bat first, the UP Warriorz made a blistering start, amassing 67 runs in just six overs, marking the highest power-play score of the season.

Grace Harris hit two boundaries off Kim Garth and a six off Renuka Singh before falling to a run-out for 39 off 22 balls, leaving the team at 77/1 in the eighth over.

Georgia Voll continued her assault, smashing Renuka Singh for three boundaries in a row and hitting a six off Charlie Dean in her first WPL delivery.

The RCB bowlers struggled as Mandhana brought in spinners to counter the aggressive batting, which proved ineffective.

Kiran Navgire also contributed significantly, scoring 46 off just 16 balls, including two sixes in a single over.

Voll reached her fifty off 31 balls, but dramatic events led to her being stranded on 99 as the UP Warriorz lost two wickets in the final over.

Final scores:

UP Warriorz 225/5 in 20 overs (Georgia Voll 99 not out, Kiran Navgire 46, Grace Harris 39; Georgia Wareham 2-43) defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru 213 all out in 19.3 overs (Richa Ghosh 69, Ellyse Perry 28, Sneh Rana 26; Sophie Ecclestone 3-25, Deepti Sharma 3-50, Chinelle Henry 2-39) by 12 runs.