From Kanika Ahuja to Ellyse Perry: Top three performers for RCB vs UP Warriorz

It was an all-round display from RCB Women as they managed to register their opening win of the tournament, getting the better of the UP Warriorz. There were mixed displays as the illustrious monikers shined with the ball in their hands while a couple of young guns showcased their batting prowess under the pump.

Sophie Devine and Asha Sobhana were clinical with the ball as the duo picked four wickets between them while Heather Knight put in a crucial effort with the bat as she acted as the bridge between the top-order that somehow faltered under the crushing weight of expectations and the all-firing pair of Richa Ghosh and Kanika Ahuja. From a heap of well-constructed displays, it was somewhat challenging to pick the top three but then again considering how the match unfolded, here are the three best displays from RCB Women vs UPW Women.

Ellyse Perry – 3 for 16

Albeit Sophie Devine dealt a crucial double whammy in the very first over that crippled the Warriorz in the powerplay, it was Ellyse Perry’s special display with the ball that saw her bagging the all-important scalps of Deepti Sharma, Grace Harris and Shweta Sehrawat, particularly when the former two seemed to pose a significant threat of taking the game away from RCB.

Kanika Ahuja – 46 off 30 balls

A talented southpaw who changed the entire game with her hard-hitting brilliance after weathering the initial storm, Kanika Ahuja was deservedly the Player of the Match. Not only did she change the course of the game with her 8 fours and a six but she ensured the fact that she was hanging in the centre for a long enough time to get her team home. Despite falling short of a half-century, she was undoubtedly one of the best players for RCB.

Richa Ghosh – 31 off 32 balls

Ideally super aggressive with the bat, Richa Ghosh took on a different role yesterday as she calmly steered the innings alongside a high-flying Kanika Ahuja and she ensured the fact that she didn’t give away her wicket to secure a humdinger victory after an early wobble. She was slow to get off the block but was a crucial part of the match-defining partnership between Kanika and herself.