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Ecclestone’s Heroics Secure Thrilling Super Over Win for UP Warriorz Against RCB
UPW Stun RCB in the First-Ever WPL Super Over
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) witnessed its first-ever Super Over, with Sophie Ecclestone delivering a match-winning performance for UP Warriorz (UPW) against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Despite a heroic unbeaten 90 from Ellyse Perry, RCB suffered a heartbreaking defeat at home as Ecclestone’s all-round brilliance led UPW to a dramatic victory.
RCB’s Strong Start with Perry and Wyatt-Hodge Leading the Charge
Early Momentum with a Solid Opening Stand
RCB began cautiously as openers Smriti Mandhana and Danielle Wyatt-Hodge took their time settling in. The innings took off when Grace Harris, fresh from a hat-trick in UPW’s previous match, bowled a waist-high full toss, which Wyatt-Hodge dispatched for a six. UPW’s fielding woes continued as Wyatt-Hodge was dropped at point.
Perry’s Commanding Knock
While Mandhana fell prey to Deepti Sharma’s off-spin—her 11th dismissal against off-spin in WPL history—Perry took charge. She dominated Ecclestone’s first over with two boundaries and followed it up with a six off Saima Thakor. However, UPW’s disciplined bowling kept RCB to 67/1 at the halfway mark.
The momentum shifted when both batters targeted Deepti, accumulating 14 runs in an over. Perry reached her fifty, while Wyatt-Hodge followed suit with a massive six off Ecclestone. However, Wyatt-Hodge’s departure, slashing to backward point, stalled RCB’s progress.
Late Flourish by Perry
Richa Ghosh managed a couple of boundaries before Chinelle Henry dismissed her. Kanika Ahuja was run out, adding to RCB’s woes. Just as UPW seemed to regain control, Perry accelerated once again, taking apart Tahlia McGrath and then smashing Deepti for 16 runs in an over. But Ecclestone’s exceptional last over, where she conceded just six runs, restricted RCB to 180/6 in 20 overs.
UP Warriorz’s Chase: Ecclestone’s Blitz Seals the Thriller
Kiran Navgire’s Explosive Start
UPW started aggressively with Kiran Navgire smashing boundaries off Renuka Singh Thakur. She continued her assault in a 16-run over against Kim Garth but was soon dismissed by an in-swinger from Renuka. Deepti Sharma kept the momentum alive with an attacking approach against Garth.
Middle-Order Struggles for UPW
Vrinda Dinesh’s poor form continued as she was caught at cover, while McGrath fell for a duck to Sneh Rana. Deepti counter-attacked, sweeping Rana for two boundaries and a six. However, she gloved one to the keeper, ending her promising knock. Shweta Sehrawat and Uma Chetry then used sweeps effectively to keep UPW in the hunt, capitalizing on RCB spinners’ errors in length.
Despite Rana dismissing Chetry and Sehrawat, UPW needed 57 runs with just three wickets in hand. RCB tightened their grip when they sent back Henry, leaving UPW’s hopes pinned on Ecclestone.
Ecclestone’s Stunning Counter-Attack
With UPW needing 18 off the last over, Ecclestone turned the game around with back-to-back sixes over the leg-side. She followed it with a four, bringing the equation down to 2 off 2 balls. A dramatic run-out on the final ball sent the game into the Super Over—the first in WPL history.
Super Over Drama: Ecclestone Seals the Victory
Kim Garth bowled a brilliant Super Over, restricting UPW to just eight runs. However, Ecclestone once again proved her mettle by conceding only four runs, guiding UPW to a thrilling win and handing RCB their second successive home defeat.
Brief Scores:
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Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 180/6 in 20 overs (Ellyse Perry 90*, Danielle Wyatt-Hodge 57; Tahlia McGrath 1-30, Chinelle Henry 1-34)
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UP Warriorz: 180 in 20 overs (Sophie Ecclestone 33, Shweta Sehrawat 31; Sneh Rana 3-27, Renuka Singh Thakur 2-36)
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Super Over: UP Warriorz 8/1 (Chinelle Henry 4, Sophie Ecclestone 1*) beat RCB 4/0 (Richa Ghosh 2*, Smriti Mandhana 2*) by 4 runs.
Impact and Takeaways
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Sophie Ecclestone’s all-round brilliance was instrumental in UPW’s victory.
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Ellyse Perry’s valiant 90* went in vain due to UPW’s composed death bowling.
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This match set a historic precedent as the first-ever Super Over in WPL history.
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