AI Simulation, WPL | Mandhana anchors chase as Royal Challengers outclass Warriorz to seal top-spot

Pitch and Weather

The BCA Stadium in Kotambi offered a balanced surface, true to its recent trend. The new ball came nicely onto the bat during the powerplay, allowing batters to play through the line, while the pitch gradually slowed as the innings progressed. Spinners found grip and turn through the middle overs, making run accumulation harder without risk. Weather conditions were ideal for cricket, with clear skies, dry air, and no threat of rain. Dew was minimal under lights, keeping conditions consistent across both innings.

Toss

Royal Challengers Bengaluru-W won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision in line with the venue’s preference for chasing and the predictability of second-innings conditions.

Lineups

Royal Challengers Bengaluru-W: Smriti Mandhana (c), Grace Harris, Georgia Voll, Gautami Naik, Richa Ghosh (wk), Nadine de Klerk, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil, Sayali Satghare, Arundhati Reddy, Lauren Bell

UP Warriorz-W: Meg Lanning (c), Kiran Navgire, Phoebe Litchfield, Harleen Deol, Chloe Tryon, Shweta Sehrawat (wk), Sophie Ecclestone, Deepti Sharma, Asha Sobhana, Shikha Pandey, Kranti Gaud

Match Report

Opting to bat first, UP Warriorz-W began cautiously against a disciplined new-ball spell from Lauren Bell and Arundhati Reddy. Meg Lanning looked composed early, focusing on strike rotation, while Kiran Navgire attempted to inject intent with a couple of boundaries. The opening stand, however, never fully settled, as Bell struck in the fourth over to remove Navgire, triggering a steady loss of momentum.

Phoebe Litchfield showed promise during the powerplay, finding gaps square of the wicket, but RCB-W’s spinners soon took control. Shreyanka Patil and Radha Yadav tightened the screws through the middle overs, forcing UPW-W into low-risk cricket. Lanning continued to anchor the innings, but a lack of support at the other end meant boundaries became infrequent. Harleen Deol and Chloe Tryon tried to lift the scoring rate, only to fall attempting ambitious shots as UPW-W slipped to 102/5 after 15 overs.

The late overs brought brief resistance from Tryon, who cleared the ropes once, but Lauren Bell returned to pick up a second wicket and restrict the flow of runs. UP Warriorz-W closed their innings on 147/8, a total that felt slightly under par given the early batting conditions.

In reply, Royal Challengers Bengaluru-W made a measured start. Smriti Mandhana and Grace Harris were positive without being reckless, making full use of the powerplay as Harris targeted the shorter boundaries. The opening pair added quick runs before Sophie Ecclestone struck with a sharp spell, removing Harris and briefly slowing the chase.

Mandhana, however, remained in control, rotating strike efficiently and punishing loose deliveries. Georgia Voll played a supporting role, ensuring there was no collapse as RCB-W steadily moved ahead of the required rate. Ecclestone’s second wicket brought Richa Ghosh to the crease, and the wicketkeeper-batter wasted no time in easing pressure with clean hits through the off side.

With the target in sight, Mandhana brought up a well-paced half-century, sealing the chase with calm authority. RCB-W crossed the line in the 19th over, completing a professional run chase that underlined their consistency this season.

Player of the Match

Smriti Mandhana anchored the chase with a composed fifty, controlling the tempo throughout and ensuring Royal Challengers Bengaluru-W never lost grip of the contest.