‘Chhoriyaan chhoro se behtar hein’ – Fans react as Royal Challengers Bangalore clinch last-ball thriller against UP Warriorz in WPL 2024
Royal Challengers Bangalore in actions against the UP Warriors (Image Credit: Twitter)
In the second game of the ongoing Women’s Premier League 2024 (WPL), Royal Challengers Bangalore locked horns with UP Warriors. Last year, the Yellow Brigade finished third as they lost to Delhi Capitals in the Eliminator. On the other hand, RCB finished fourth as they failed to qualify for the playoffs. This time around, the Red Army must be looking to do better alongside the other teams.
Meanwhile, the Warriors won the toss and chose to bowl first on a used surface of the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The same wicket hosted the opening game of the ongoing season between the defending champions, Mumbai Indians, and Delhi Capitals, which was a last-ball thriller. Meanwhile, in this game, the home team had a poor start as Sophie Devine was trapped lbw by Grace Harris in the third over.
Devine’s opening partner and skipper Smriti Mandhana got out in the last over of the powerplay and the team was reduced to 36/2. Ellyse Perry didn’t have the best of starts to the tournament and the team was further in a rut at 54/3. At this stage, the likes of Sabbineni Meghana and Richa Ghosh put together 71 runs for the fourth wicket. Both batters got a fifty each and despite the team not capitalizing in the last three overs, they reached 157/6.
Royal Challengers Bangalore wins a last-ball thriller to begin the campaign
In reply, the Yellow Brigade had a poor start as Sophie Molineux removed skipper Alyssa Healy in the second over with a snorter. The likes of Tahlia McGrath and Vrinda Dinesh were struggling and their ordeal was ended by Shobana Asha in the ninth over. At 49/3, the likes of Grace Harris and Shweta Sehrawat put together 77 runs for the fourth wicket. However, alongside the duo, Asha removed Kiran Navgire to complete a fifer and bring the team back into the game.
Despite the best efforts of Poonam Khenmar, who was removed by Georgia Wareham, the Warriors lost the game by two runs.
This is how Twitter reacted
This is some brilliant work by Poonam Khemnar. Such presence of mind, such confidence. She is pumped as she bloody well should be. Wareham takes her out but she’s done what needs to be done. Down to Deepti Sharma and Sophie Ecclestone now. #WPL2024
— Lavanya ️ (@lav_narayanan) February 24, 2024
Fifer by an RCB bowler that too in Chinnaswamy.
Take a bow Sobhana Asha #WPL2024
pic.twitter.com/klIJx7yrmJ— Johns (@JohnyBravo183) February 24, 2024
And now Chinnaswamy Stadium is also graced by a signature Ellyse Perry dive on the outfield to prevent a boundary. pic.twitter.com/sJehUjwG5M
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) February 24, 2024
DJ plays Kantara soundtrack in the strategy break! 3 wickets in the next over.
Top bowling from Asha! #WPL2024 #RCB
— Ajith Ramamurthy (@Ajith_tweets) February 24, 2024
A Last ball thriller just like Yesterday!
Here UP failed to Smash Boundary in final ball, RCB Started this Season with a Win!#WPL2024 pic.twitter.com/R07k3CR9ry
— (@Shebas_10dulkar) February 24, 2024
Jay Shah is cooking to make WPL the best women league in sport. Two back to back nail biting games #WPL2024 pic.twitter.com/ihZQrxVMQ1
— Aditya Bhai (@Aatmanirbharboi) February 24, 2024
Conquering Chinnaswamy ❤️
Biggest Win For The Biggest Franchise @RCBTweets #RCB #WPL2024
— Adheera (@adheeraeditz) February 24, 2024
Haven’t seen Deepti finish off a chase ever, unreal consistency!!
Rcb Hold on to their nerves, love the vibe Chinnaswamy offers!#WPL2024 starts off with 2 absolutely cracker games!— Gagan Chawla (@toecrushrzzz) February 24, 2024
Two thrilling last-ball finishes + great atmosphere at the ground. Brilliant #WPL2024
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) February 24, 2024
The only thing RCB (both teams) have given me is BP issues!!!#WPL2024
— Jaanvi (@that_shutterbug) February 24, 2024
