Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Smriti Mandhana and teammate Richa Ghosh celebrate the victory (PTI Photo) Former champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru produced a commanding all-round show to beat UP Warriorz by eight wickets to book their place in the WPL final and all but end the opposition’s play-off hopes here on Thursday. After opting to bowl, RCB clawed their way back impressively despite a blistering start from UP Warriorz. Nadine de Klerk led the charge with a brilliant spell of 4 for 22 while Grace Harris chipped in with 2 for 22 as UPW slipped from a strong position to post a modest 143 for eight.
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Harris then made the chase a one-sided affair. The Australian unleashed a blistering 75 off just 37 deliveries, ensuring RCB’s romp home in 41 balls. The emphatic win lifted RCB to 12 points and confirmed their position at the top of the table in the five-team competition. In contrast, UP Warriorz remained bottom with four points and the weakest net rate, their campaign hanging in the balance despite having a game in hand. Harris set the pace early, targeting Kranti Gaud in the over and plundering five boundaries in the third over. She reached her half-century in just 28 balls when she lifted Ashu Sobhan over long-on, and masterminded a 108-run stand with skipper Smriti Mandhana. Mandhana played a perfect supporting role and produced a classy fifty off 26 balls. Although Harris was eventually bowled by Shikha Pandey as he attempted a cross-seam, the result was already beyond doubt with only 36 runs needed and plenty of overs to go. Earlier, UP Warriorz looked well placed thanks to Deepti Sharma’s smooth 55 off 43 balls, her first fifty of the season. Deepti and Meg Lanning produced their best opening stand of the campaign, adding 72 off just 49 balls. However, once Lanning went down, the inning lost steam. From a comfortable 74 for no loss after eight overs, UPW slumped to 103 for four as de Klerk and Harris tightened the screws in the middle stages. De Klerk removed Lanning and trapped Amy Jones lbw before Harris struck in successive overs to dismiss Harleen Deol and Chloe Tryon, turning the match decisively in RCB’s favour.
