WPL 2023 Match 19, Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Mumbai Indians - Talking Points and Who Said What?

Mumbai Indians Women regained the top spot in the table with a crucial four-wicket win against Royal Challengers Bangalore Women in the 19th match of the Women's Premier League 2023 (WPL) on Tuesday, March 21. The Royal Challengers' campaign ended with a disappointing defeat in their last group-stage game as they managed to score just 125/9 while batting first. Smriti Mandhana's struggles continued as she scored just 24 off 25 but Richa Ghosh's 29 off 13 helped Bangalore cross 100 runs.

Mumbai's bowlers put in a convincing performance after losing the last two games. Amelia Kerr took three for 22 while Issy Wong and Natalie Sciver-Brunt bagged two wickets each. The batters struggled in their chase despite Hayley Matthews and Yastika Bhatia pulling a 53-run stand for the opening wicket. But Amelia Kerr's 31* off 27 helped the Royal Challengers chase the target in 16.3 overs.

Mumbai Indians relinquished Delhi Capitals to the top spot while the Royal Challengers finished the inaugural season in the fourth position in the WPL points table. 

Smriti Mandhana finishes the tournament without a fifty:

Bangalore's skipper started well but once again failed for a big knock. Smriti scored 24 off 25 with three fours and six and contributed while fielding with catches to dismiss Mumbai Indians' openers. Smriti, the most expensive buy in WPL 2023 auction, finished the tournament with 149 runs from eight innings at an average of 18.62 and a strike rate of 111.19 with a highest score of 37.

Mumbai Indians back to the top:

Mumbai Indians returned to the winnings ways and also moved to the top spot in the league table. Delhi Capitals have a game remaining against third-placed UP Warriorz on the same day as they will be looking to regain the top spot to avoid an Eliminator game.

Sophie Devine's over sums up RCB's season:

Bangalore lost a big appeal to the third umpire in the very first over on Megan Schutt's delivery. Their woes continued as Sophie Devine conceded 17 runs in the next over which completely killed off their hopes for any potential comeback. She conceded a big hit on a no-ball followed by a wide delivery and then dismissed Hayley on the innings' last over. But again it was another no-ball that clearly hampered the RCB's morale. This has been the RCB's story throughout the season as they finished with just two wins in eight games.

Losing captain, Smriti Mandhana said:

We tried to fight. Kanika bowled well. One of those days as a fielder when which of the ball goes in the air comes to you. We were below par today. We have a great team. We have a balanced team. Won't say we don't have a great team because we haven't done well. We had some amazing players. The first four-five games didn't go our way. My personal form wasn't great. We didn't get great starts. Sometimes things don't go as you have planned. We will come back stronger next season. We have found some amazing youngsters in Shreyanka and Kanika. They have been fearless. Was pleasing to see as a skipper. Asha bowled very well too.

Winning captain, Harmanpreet Kaur said:

Winning is always important to get the momentum going. When you lose, it can be negative feelings. But everyone was talking how to win this. In the last two games, we were not able to do what we were trying to do. But we discussed today as to how to go about it. For us, winning the game was important. When we got a good start, we were trying to chase it down inside 15 overs. After losing my wicket, we played a little sensibly. Amelia is always keen to do well for the team. She always wants to do well for the team.

Player of the Match, Amelia Kerr said:

I think it is nice to get the win. To turn it around, it shows some character of the team. Was a quick turn around for us. Nice to come through. Seems to go my way a little today. 10 an over was a good day when I got here. There are some world class batters here. Short boundaries as well and they can go for it. The pleasing thing was the PP. We got a great start. But then we lost a few wickets. It was about playing some good shots. I had a good partnership with Pooja. We didn't have the run-rate pressure on us.