The Mumbai Indians (MI) pulled off a thrilling last-over victory against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025. The match was a rollercoaster ride, with standout performances from both sides. RCB posted 167 for 7, powered by Ellyse Perry’s brilliant 81 off 43 balls. In response, MI started strong but faced late-game pressure after Georgia Wareham’s crucial twin strikes.
However, Amanjot Kaur and 16-year-old G Kamalini kept their cool to secure the win. Smriti Mandhana showed promise but fell early, while MI’s Nat Sciver-Brunt dominated the powerplay. The game also highlighted the impact of RCB’s slow over rate in the final overs. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the key moments that shaped this thrilling encounter.
1. Mumbai Indians won a last-over thriller against Royal Challengers Bengaluru by four wickets
Mumbai Indians (MI) secured a nerve-wracking last-over victory against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the WPL 2025. Chasing 168, MI found themselves in a tense situation in the final overs. Despite a strong start from Nat Sciver-Brunt and Harmanpreet Kaur, RCB’s late breakthroughs made the chase tricky. With just six runs required in the last over, MI needed composure under pressure.
Sixteen-year-old G Kamalini smashed the winning shot through the covers with one ball to spare. This victory continued the trend of teams winning after fielding first in WPL 2025. The match showcased MI’s depth in batting and RCB’s spirited bowling effort. With this win, MI strengthened their position in the tournament, while RCB was left wondering what went wrong in the closing stages like UP Warriorz Performances.
2. Harmanpreet Kaur’s fifty and Amanjot Kaur’s late sixes sealed MI’s victory
Harmanpreet Kaur played a captain’s knock, scoring a crucial fifty under pressure. Coming in when MI needed stability, she paced her innings beautifully. Harmanpreet took her time initially but accelerated in the latter half. Her well-timed boundaries kept MI ahead before Georgia Wareham dismissed her in the 18th over. This moment shifted the momentum, but Amanjot Kaur stepped up in the final overs. With 22 runs needed from the last 12 balls, Amanjot smashed two massive sixes off Kanika Ahuja, bringing MI back on track.
These crucial hits reduced the equation to a run-a-ball in the final over. Amanjot’s ability to handle pressure proved vital, ensuring MI crossed the line in a thrilling finish. Her all-round performance, including three wickets earlier, made her a key player in MI’s victory.
3. Ellyse Perry’s brilliant 81 off 43 balls wasn’t enough for RCB
Ellyse Perry played a magnificent knock, scoring 81 runs off just 43 balls. She anchored RCB’s innings after early wickets fell, showing her class and experience. Perry hit boundaries all around the park, punishing anything short or full. Her elegant strokeplay and power-hitting helped RCB recover from a difficult position. She reached her fifty in just 30 balls, continuing to dominate MI’s bowlers.
Perry formed a crucial partnership with Richa Ghosh, but lacked support from other batters. She was dismissed on the penultimate ball of the innings, falling to Amanjot Kaur. Despite her heroics, RCB’s total of 167 for 7 proved insufficient. Perry’s innings was one of the finest in the WPL 2025, but MI’s strong batting lineup ensured her efforts went in vain.
4. Georgia Wareham’s twin strikes in the 18th over gave RCB hope
RCB’s Georgia Wareham produced a game-changing over, striking twice in the 18th over. At a crucial stage, MI seemed to be cruising with Harmanpreet Kaur well set on 50. However, Wareham dismissed Harmanpreet with a sharp delivery that took the edge to the keeper. On the very next ball, she trapped S Sajana lbw, sending RCB into celebrations. This double blow suddenly put MI under pressure, leaving them with 24 runs to chase from the last two overs.
Wareham’s spell of 3 for 21 kept RCB in the hunt despite MI’s earlier dominance. However, Amanjot Kaur’s heroics in the following over neutralized Wareham’s brilliant efforts. Despite her valiant bowling, RCB couldn’t close the game, and MI held their nerve. Wareham’s performance was a testament to her ability to deliver under pressure.
5. Amanjot Kaur smashed two sixes in the 19th over to shift momentum
Amanjot Kaur turned the game in MI’s favor with two stunning sixes. With 22 runs needed from 12 balls, the pressure was immense. Facing Kanika Ahuja, Amanjot stepped down the track and launched the first ball over long-on. This six relieved some pressure, but Ahuja responded with tight bowling. However, on the final ball of the over, Amanjot cleared long-on again, bringing MI within touching distance of victory.
Her aggressive approach shifted the momentum back in MI’s favor when the game was in the balance. These shots not only put MI in control but also deflated RCB’s morale. Amanjot’s fearless batting under pressure proved to be the turning point of the match.
6. Sixteen-year-old G Kamalini hit the winning shot with two balls remaining
G Kamalini, just 16 years old, showed nerves of steel in the final over. With two runs needed from two balls, she faced veteran spinner Ekta Bisht. Kamalini held her ground and smashed a well-timed shot through the covers to seal the victory. Her fearless batting under immense pressure made the difference in the end.
Despite being inexperienced at this level, she remained calm and executed the shot perfectly. This moment will be remembered as a breakthrough for the young talent in the WPL. MI’s faith in Kamalini paid off, proving that youth can shine on the big stage.
7. Smriti Mandhana started strong but fell to Shabnim Ismail’s short-ball strategy
Smriti Mandhana showed early intent against Mumbai Indians’ fiery pacer Shabnim Ismail. She confidently pulled a short delivery over square leg for four, adjusting quickly to the bounce. Ismail, known for her pace, went around the wicket to counter Mandhana’s aggression. However, Mandhana continued her attack, cutting the ball beautifully for two more boundaries.
Just when she seemed set for a big score, Ismail had the final say. She bowled a sharp short ball that angled across, and Mandhana, attempting another pull shot, mistimed it. The ball took the top edge and was caught safely by Yastika Bhatia behind the stumps. This crucial breakthrough halted RCB’s early momentum and reaffirmed Ismail’s dominance with the short-ball strategy.
8. RCB lost quick wickets and were 62 for 4 after nine overs
After a promising start, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) lost momentum with quick wickets. Danni Wyatt-Hodge was the first to go, attempting an upper cut against Nat Sciver-Brunt, only to be caught at third man. Raghvi Bist followed soon after, mistiming a pull shot straight into the hands of deep midwicket. Kanika Ahuja’s struggle ended when she dragged a ball from Sanskriti Gupta onto her stumps.
These three dismissals left RCB struggling at 62 for 4 in nine overs. The fall of wickets slowed their scoring rate, forcing Ellyse Perry to anchor the innings. While Perry and Richa Ghosh attempted to rebuild, the early setbacks kept MI in control. This middle-order collapse ultimately cost RCB, as they fell short of a match-winning total despite Perry’s heroics.
9. Nat Sciver-Brunt’s aggressive 42 off 21 balls gave MI a flying start
Nat Sciver-Brunt wasted no time, attacking RCB’s bowlers from the start. After Yastika Bhatia’s early dismissal, she stepped in and smashed two boundaries off her first two deliveries. In Kim Garth’s next over, she took complete control, hitting three fours in quick succession. Her aggressive approach rattled RCB’s bowling unit, helping MI dominate the powerplay unlike the first match between the two teams.
Even Georgia Wareham, RCB’s top spinner, couldn’t contain her, as Sciver-Brunt continued finding gaps. She brought up her 40-plus score at a strike rate of 200 before Garth finally bowled her for 42. Her explosive innings ensured that MI had the best possible start, keeping them ahead in the chase. Sciver-Brunt’s fearless power-hitting set the tone for MI’s victory in this high-pressure game.
10. RCB’s slow over rate left them with one less fielder in the final over
RCB’s slow over rate proved costly in the final over of the match. Throughout their bowling innings, the team took longer than the allotted time to complete their overs. As per WPL rules, a slow over rate penalty meant they had to field with one player fewer outside the 30-yard circle. This gave Mumbai Indians a huge advantage when they needed just six runs in the last over.
Ekta Bisht, bowling the final over, had fewer fielding options to defend the remaining runs. This lack of a boundary rider ultimately made it easier for G Kamalini to find the gaps. She capitalized on the situation, driving the ball through the covers to seal MI’s victory. RCB’s mismanagement of time proved to be a decisive factor in the closing moments of this thrilling encounter.
Conclusion
The WPL 2025 match between MI and RCB was a perfect thriller, showcasing the talent and drama of women’s cricket. MI’s strategic chase, powered by Harmanpreet Kaur’s composed fifty and Amanjot Kaur’s late heroics, proved decisive. Despite Ellyse Perry’s stunning 81, RCB couldn’t post a match-winning total. Georgia Wareham’s twin strikes in the 18th over gave RCB hope, but Amanjot’s two sixes in the 19th over turned the tide.
The final moment belonged to 16-year-old G Kamalini, who smashed the winning shot with confidence. This match reinforced the importance of finishing ability and handling pressure in high-stakes games. With this win, MI continued their strong run in WPL 2025, while RCB will look to bounce back stronger.
