Despite the best of attempts from the RCB Women, things were not to be in the Brabourne Stadium as the Mumbai Indians ran riot, registering a 9-wicket win as they chased down the 156-run target in just 14.2 overs.

RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana won the toss and opted to bat first on a track that seemed to offer a lot for the batters. Mandhana and fellow opener Sophie Devine got the side off to a solid start and the boundaries started to come in a rush. However, RCB’s glory hours came to a quick end as the side lost the wickets of Devine (16), Mandhana (23), Disha Kasat (0) and Heather Knight (0) within the powerplay. 

Just as it seemed like Ellyse Perry and Richa Ghosh were putting on a partnership, the former was sent back by a direct hit for 13. Ghosh was joined by southpaw Kanika Ahuja in the middle and the duo put on 34 for the 6th wicket to help RCB get over the 100-run mark. After Ghosh (28) and Ahuja’s (22) dismissals, debutant Shreyanka Patil (23) and the seasoned Megan Schutt (20) unfurled some strokes to stitch together a 34-run stand which played a hand in RCB eventually putting up 155 on the board. 

RCB endured another off-day with the ball as Hayley Matthews and Yastika Bhatia controlled the Mumbai innings firmly and the chase was well-directed, with the MI batters finding the boundaries ropes with ease.

Left-arm spinner Preeti Bose was the only bowler who picked up a wicket on the day, removing Bhatia for 23. That was the only period of joy for RCB on the bowling front as Matthews (77*) and Nat-Sciver Brunt (55*) amassed 114 runs for the second wicket and offered no respite for the bowlers. 

RCB will be chasing their elusive first win when they face off against the Gujarat Giants for their third match of the WPL 2023 campaign on 8th March at the Brabourne Stadium.