WPL 2024 Eliminator: RCB clinch final-over thriller against MI, will face DC in final

Royal Challengers Bangalore, riding on a fine all-round display from Australian Ellyse Perry, defeated defending champions Mumbai Indians by five runs in the Eliminator here on Friday to set up a Women's Premier League title clash against Delhi Capitals.

FINAL BERTH ✅@RCBTweets join the @DelhiCapitals for a shot at the ultimate prize 🏆#TATAWPL | #MIvRCB | #Eliminator pic.twitter.com/R0YL3bE9EP

— Women's Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) March 15, 2024

Chasing a paltry total of 135/6, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led Mumbai faltered in the chase, thanks to some incisive bowling by Perry (1/29) and Shreyanka Patil (2/16), and could manage just 130 runs for the loss of six wickets.

Perry's 66 off 50 balls was the cornerstone of RCB's total after their top-order was blown away by a disciplined MI attack, reducing them to 24 for 3 inside the four overs of Powerplay.

In reply, Mumbai could not get the required momentum, which was lost completely after Harmanpreet was dismissed for 33 in the 18th over.

It appeared that MI was on track for victory as 16 were required in the final 2 overs, Sophie Molineux bowled a beauty of an over and conceded just 4 runs leaving Mumbai to require 12 runs in the final over. Skipper Smriti Mandhana trusted Asha Sobhana to deliver and she tried to keep the bowl away from the reach of the batter and also dismissed Pooja Vastrakar in the final over to take Royal Challengers Bangalore to their maiden WPL final.

RCB will take on DC in the final of WPL 2024 and one thing is sure we will witness a new champion lifting the trophy this time around. Final match will take place in Delhi on 17th March from 7:30 PM.