RCB vs MI Highlights, WPL 2026: Richa Ghosh's fireworks in vain as Mumbai Indians win by 15 runs

That's all, folks! That wraps up the action for tonight as the Mumbai Indians storm to a vital victory, keeping their tournament hopes alive in this do-or-die clash! We will be back on Tuesday, January 27th, when the Delhi Capitals lock horns with the Gujarat Giants, with play starting at 7.30 pm IST. Do join us early for the toss and pre-match buildup, but for now, it’s goodbye from the commentary box. Take care and cheers!

Nat Sciver-Brunt is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for her unbeaten century - Nat Sciver-Brunt says that it is a special moment for her but importantly, it was the runs on the board for her side. Adds that she is happy to get a good partnership with Hayley and she tried to be present in the match. She mentions that she was reacting to the ball and she had confidence on the shots she played. On her consistency, she says the girls keep asking her the same question. She explains that it is about preparing well, turning up mentally in the same way each time, and staying fully present in the match. When asked about having three shots in mind for one ball, Nat Sciver-Brunt smiles and says she is simply reacting to what is delivered and staying true to her strengths. She adds that she has confidence in the shots she likes to play. Nat also states that, tactically, some bowlers suit her strengths more than others, and if certain bowlers are on fire on a given day, it makes sense to look to score against the others.

The Captain of Mumbai Indians - Harmanpreet Kaur calls it a great match and mentions that it was a very good batting display from Nat, who set the tone with her innings. She also highlights the contribution from Matthews, adding that it is good to see her get among the runs and wickets. Speaking about the team environment, Harmanpreet points out that the core group has been playing together for four years and says that is something special about MI. She notes that whenever the team needs it, someone steps up and everyone comes together to give their best. She says she is really happy with the way the team performed tonight. She adds that the little break they had really helped, mentioning that some bonding sessions made a huge difference. On individual performances, she highlights Sciver-Brunt, saying she has always been there whenever the team needs her and that they love watching her bat the way she does.  She also points out Shabnim Ismail, noting that she has been waiting for a while and is always someone who takes crucial wickets, and says it is good to see her doing that.

Hayley Matthews is in for a quick chat - Hayley Matthews says that they did well to get to 200, but kudos to Richa Ghosh for the way she batted. Adds that they did well with the ball at the last but lost momentum towards the end. She says that she felt good at the start with the bat. She mentions that the wicket changed a bit as the opening overs were a bit difficult but as they got to know the wicket, they accelerated the innings. Says that she has a good relationship with Nat Sciver-Brunt and they knew which bowlers to target. Ends by saying that Rahila Firdous is really good as a keeper and it is great to have her in the side. Ends by saying she was happy to get the wicket of Smriti Mandhana.

The captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru - Smriti Mandhana reflects on the defeat. First, on being asked about Richa Ghosh’s knock, Mandhana calls it an absolutely brilliant innings and a treat to watch. She also highlights Nadine’s contribution, adding that such efforts often go unnoticed in defeat. From her perspective, this ranks among the best innings from Richa, underlining the quality and intent shown under pressure. On Nat Sciver-Brunt’s hundred, Mandhana describes her as a world-class player who can hit the same ball to three different areas, which makes life extremely difficult for bowlers. She gives full credit to Sciver-Brunt, saying the hundred is thoroughly deserved. Admits that RCB had very few answers. Adds that the way she accelerates is something every youngster should watch and learn from. Speaking about the bowling, Mandhana says it has been brilliant across the first five games, but on this occasion, a few bowlers are unable to get their lines right. She points out that T20 cricket does not always go according to plan, praises Lauren Bell for bowling well with the new ball, and notes that even when she comes back later, others are unable to step up. She adds that the team will think about their strategies and come back stronger. On the areas to improve, Mandhana reiterates that RCB is not complacent about qualification. She stresses the importance of winning one game to go straight into the final, accepts that there are a few things to work on, and reminds that with only five teams in the WPL, complications always arise towards the end of the season. Her message remains to keep things simple, because in T20 cricket, there are always good days and bad days.

Time for the Post-match Presentations...

Nat Sciver-Brunt's brilliant century! Earlier in the game, Mumbai Indians set a massive target of 200 runs against RCB after Nat Sciver-Brunt created history by scoring the first-ever century in the Women's Premier League. After RCB won the toss and chose to bowl, Sciver-Brunt remained unbeaten on 100 and shared a 131-run partnership with Hayley Matthews, who fell on 56. While Lauren Bell bowled well for Bengaluru, taking two wickets, Mumbai's powerful batting in this do-or-die game left the table-toppers with a huge target to chase.

Richa Ghosh fought till the end! Despite the early carnage, Richa Ghosh played a magnificent lone hand. After Nadine De Klerk chipped in with a steady cameo of 28 to stabilize the ship, Ghosh unleashed an incredible counter-attack, smashing 90 runs off just 50 balls. She fought valiantly until the very last delivery, but the target proved just out of reach. Amelia Kerr sealed the deal for Mumbai, dismissing Ghosh on the final ball as RCB fell short by 15 runs.

RCB’s Nightmare Start - Chasing such a massive target required a flying start, but Royal Challengers Bengaluru faced a disaster inside the Powerplay. The top order simply collapsed under pressure, leaving them reeling at a precarious 40/5 after six overs. The damage was done early by the fiery spells of Shabnim Ismail and Hayley Matthews, who ripped through the batting lineup and shared the first five wickets between them, leaving RCB with a mountain to climb.

Mumbai Indians Keep Playoff Hopes Alive! What a crucial victory for the Mumbai Indians! In a must-win encounter, they brought their 'A' game to the field, putting up a mammoth total of 200 runs. With this vital win, MI has successfully kept their playoff dreams breathing, proving they can handle the pressure when it matters most.

19.6: Amelia Kerr to Richa Ghosh, OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Done and dusted. Kerr drops it short on middle and off, and Ghosh steps down, looking to swing it miles. She loses her shape in the process as she tries to hit it too hard. The ball skews off towards point, where the fielder, Poonam Khemnar, completes the catch. A stunning display of power from Ghosh as she is dismissed on a sizzling 90 off 50 balls. Mumbai Indians win by 15 runs.

19.5: Amelia Kerr to Richa Ghosh, Much closer to the off stump, nicely floated on a fuller length, Richa throws her bat at it but only manages it to toe end down to long off. 

19.4: Amelia Kerr to Richa Ghosh, SIX! GOES ALL THE WAY! How on earth has she managed to clear the ropes? Full and tossed up wide outside the off stump, Ghosh charges down the track and briefly loses her footing. Still, she gets the bat down in time, takes it on the full and muscles it over deep extra cover for a biggie.

19.3: Amelia Kerr to Richa Ghosh, SIX! Dismissed out of her presence! Dropped full and around off, Ghosh uses all her might and just smokes it over long off for a huge six. 

19.2: Amelia Kerr to Richa Ghosh, Brave bowling from the Kiwi! Full and tossed up invitingly outside off at 76.3 kph. Ghosh clears her front leg and looks to launch it straight down the ground, but the ball beats her outside edge by a whisker. 

19.1: Amelia Kerr to Richa Ghosh, FOUR! PUNISHED! Kerr serves it into the slot, on middle, Richa shimmies down the track and mercilessly drills it straight down the ground for a boundary. No chance for the long off fielder to cut that off as that went like a tracer bullet. 

32 needed from the final over! Richa Ghosh is on strike. Can she pull off a miracle? Amelia Kerr to bowl the final over.

18.6: Amanjot Kaur to Shreyanka Patil, FOUR! Surreal shot! A length ball, wide outside off, Shreyanka creates room by backing away, and flatly smashes it over point for a boundary. 27 runs from the over. 

18.5: Amanjot Kaur to Shreyanka Patil, FOUR! Goodness me, that's so easily done! Full and with pace on now, outside off, Shreyanka shuffles outside off, collapses the knee into the pitch and whips it over backward square leg for a boundary. Harmanpreet Kaur is visibly livid at her bowler, and her expressions say it all without any words. 23 runs off the over with a ball to go. 

18.4: Amanjot Kaur to Richa Ghosh, From around the stump, this is bashed on a length, angling across the right-hander, outside off. Ghosh drags it off the back foot, hits it a bit uppish to long on for a single. 

18.3: Amanjot Kaur to Richa Ghosh, SIX MORE! Three in a row from Richa Ghosh! Slower and shorter, just outside off, Richa Ghosh waits and waits and waits for the ball to come, gets deep inside the crease and nails the pull shot, clearing deep square leg for a massive six. The equation - 41 needed off 9 balls. 

18.2: Amanjot Kaur to Richa Ghosh, SIX! Clears the ropes with absolute ease! Fuller in length, on off, Ghosh finds the ball in her wheelhouse, clears her front leg, plants her back knee into the pitch and muscles it over long on for a cracking six. 47 needed off 10 balls. 150 up for RCB!

18.1: Amanjot Kaur to Richa Ghosh, SIX! SMOKED! Slips in a dipping full toss, on off, Ghosh gets under it nicely and launches it downtown for a huge six.

17.6: Nat Sciver-Brunt to Shreyanka Patil, FOUR! Off the top edge. Short at the shoulder height of the batter. Shreyanka gets across, tries to pull, but gets a top edge that races away to the deep fine leg fence. 

Time for another concussion. This time Shreyanka Patil gets a hit on her helmet and the physio checks on her. All fine with Shreyanka Patil too...

17.5: Nat Sciver-Brunt to Shreyanka Patil, Dug in short by NSB, on top of middle. Shreyanka lines up for the pull shot, but gets a thick top edge and the ball rams onto the helmet and drops down the strip. Shreyanka will go through a concussion test. 

17.4: Nat Sciver-Brunt to Shreyanka Patil, Around middle, on a length, Patil backs away and nudges it to cover. 

17.4: Nat Sciver-Brunt to Shreyanka Patil, WIDE! Length ball, sliding down leg. Patil misses the flick. Wide called. 

Slight halt! The ball hits the helmet of Richa Ghosh and the physio is out in the middle for the mandatory concussion tests. All fine now and we are good to go...

17.3: Nat Sciver-Brunt to Richa Ghosh, Tries to be a bit funky now. A length delivery on off stump, Richa looks to play the ramp but gets a top edge onto her helmet. The ball dribbles away to short fine leg and they scamper through for a single. There will be a mandatory concussion check for Richa Ghosh. 

17.2: Nat Sciver-Brunt to Richa Ghosh, SIX! FIFTY FOR RICHA GHOSH! Fuller in length outside the off stump, Ghosh makes room and throws the kitchen sink at it, sending the ball sailing comfortably over the deep point fence for a cracking six. She has made that shot look so easy on the eyes. She has played a brilliant knock so far and if not for the win, she will aim to shrink the margin of defeat.

17.1: Nat Sciver-Brunt to Richa Ghosh, Nips back in from middle, on a good length. Ghosh is rushed on the back foot and she taps it straight back at the bowler. 

Excellent from Amanjot Kaur! Shreyanka Patil is the next batter.

16.6: Amanjot Kaur to Sayali Satghare, OUT! SAYALI SATGHARE IS RUN OUT! Top class effort from Amanjot. A length delivery on the stumps and Satghare pushes it to the right of the bowler. Amanjot reacts in a flash. Rushes forward-right, picks the ball up and darts across to her right and fires in a sharp throw at the keeper’s end. It’s a direct hit, right on the bullseye, and Satghare is left well short of her crease.

Another wicket falls. Sayali Satghare is the new batter.

16.5: Amanjot Kaur to Arundhati Reddy, OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! She missed out on the second delivery of the over, but this was a real catching practice and she held on to it. Was a length ball, outside off, and it skidded through the track as well. Reddy tried to flat bat it down the ground, but the ball got a big on her and gets sliced off the top edge. The ball spooned back to Amanjot and she took a fine return catch on her follow-through. 14 off 18 for Arundhati Reddy and RCB are 129/7.

16.4: Amanjot Kaur to Richa Ghosh, Drilled hard, but just for a single. Much fuller, outside off, Ghosh carves it through extra cover, but gets just one as Nat Sciver-Brunt mops it up to her left from deep point.

16.3: Amanjot Kaur to Arundhati Reddy, Slower ball, full and outside off, Reddy shuffles outside off to slog, but the ball goes off to the toe end to the widish long on region for a single. 

16.2: Amanjot Kaur to Arundhati Reddy, PUT DOWN! A tough chance, but a chance nevertheless. Back of a length outside off, Reddy stands tall and slices it back towards the bowler. Amanjot dives to her right, gets both hands to it, but cannot hold on.

16.1: Amanjot Kaur to Arundhati Reddy, FOUR! Oh, that's neatly threaded! Outside off, on a good length. Reddy stays back and opens the bat's face at the point of contact and slashes it between backward point and short third for a boundary. The 50-run partnership comes up between Richa and Arundhati. 

Strategic Break! Royal Challengers Bengaluru have a massive mountain to climb, needing 77 runs off the last 24 balls! Richa Ghosh is standing as RCB’s last line of defense, and she needs to produce nothing short of a miracle to pull off this impossible chase. The Mumbai Indians are in the driver’s seat and know that if they can take Ghosh’s wicket now, they will likely seal the game. Let's see how it ends...

15.6: Amelia Kerr to Arundhati Reddy, Full and flat, outside off, Reddy spreads across the crease and drills it down to long off for a single. 15 runs off the over, 24 from the last 2. 

15.5: Amelia Kerr to Richa Ghosh, Much fuller, on off, chipped over mid off for a single. 

15.4: Amelia Kerr to Richa Ghosh, FOUR! Simply done! A touch short, on off, Richa creates room for herself, allows the ball to dip and come at her before she pierces the gap neatly through cover-point and backward point for a boundary. 

15.3: Amelia Kerr to Richa Ghosh, FOUR! Moves to 42, does Richa! Overpitched around off, Ghosh prods forward and lofts it inside out over mid off for a boundary. 

15.2: Amelia Kerr to Richa Ghosh, FOUR! A schoolgirl error from Vaishnavi. Full and on middle, a leg break from Kerr. Richa reverse sweeps it to short third where Vaishnavi Sharma is a bit slow to react to get her body behind the ball. She fumbles in the ring there, gets a bit of fingertips on the ball, but it deflects it to the ropes behind.

15.1: Amelia Kerr to Arundhati Reddy, Slider on the pads, full in length, Reddy tucks it through mid-wicket for a single. 

14.6: Nat Sciver-Brunt to Richa Ghosh, BEATEN! Back of a length, outside off, Ghosh backs away to square cut it through point, maybe aiming to play it uppishly, but gets no bat. RCB need 92 runs from 30 balls!

14.5: Nat Sciver-Brunt to Richa Ghosh, FOUR! A gift from Sciver-Brunt and Richa obliges! Dishes out a full toss, outside off, Ghosh takes it on the full and slams it over extra cover for a boundary. 

14.4: Nat Sciver-Brunt to Arundhati Reddy, Landed short, outside off, Reddy drags it down to long on for a single. 

14.4: Nat Sciver-Brunt to Arundhati Reddy, WIDE! Far outside off, breaching the guideline. Reddy throws her bat away from her body, but fails to carve it out.

14.3: Nat Sciver-Brunt to Arundhati Reddy, Wide outside off, on a fuller length, Reddy chops it to backward point. 

14.2: Nat Sciver-Brunt to Richa Ghosh, Length ball, around off, Richa swivels and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for an easy single.

14.2: Nat Sciver-Brunt to Richa Ghosh, WIDE! Throws it miles outside off, beyond the tramline. Richa ignores. 

14.1: Nat Sciver-Brunt to Arundhati Reddy, Jags back in from outside off, on a length. Reddy stands tall and punches it to long off for a single. 100 UP FOR RCB!

13.6: Vaishnavi Sharma to Richa Ghosh, Short, on off, Richa Ghosh slaps it to the cover fielder.

13.5: Vaishnavi Sharma to Arundhati Reddy, Much fuller, on leg, Arundhati Reddy knocks it down the ground for a single.

13.5: Vaishnavi Sharma to Arundhati Reddy, Wide! Down the leg side, Arundhati Reddy looks to sweep it but misses.

13.4: Vaishnavi Sharma to Richa Ghosh, Full, on middle and leg, Richa Ghosh knocks it down the ground for a single.

13.3: Vaishnavi Sharma to Richa Ghosh, FOUR! Excellent from Richa Ghosh! Nice and full, outside off, Richa Ghosh gets low and clatters it over cover for a magnificent boundary.

13.2: Vaishnavi Sharma to Arundhati Reddy, Full, on off, Arundhati Reddy drills it back to the ball. Vaishnavi Sharma fails to stop it as the ball rolls towards mid on. They collect a single.

13.1: Vaishnavi Sharma to Arundhati Reddy, Too full, on off, Arundhati Reddy pushes it back towards Vaishnavi Sharma. The ball lands just short. Dot.

12.6: Shabnim Ismail to Richa Ghosh, FOUR! Easy pickings! Shabnim Ismail bowls on a length, on leg, Richa Ghosh swivels and pulls it over backward square leg for a boundary.

12.5: Shabnim Ismail to Richa Ghosh, Short, on leg, Richa Ghosh looks to pull it but misses.

12.4: Shabnim Ismail to Richa Ghosh, FOUR! Nicely played! On a length, on off, Richa Ghosh stays back and slashes it over point. The fielder dives to her right near the fence to stop the boundary but fails to do so.

12.3: Shabnim Ismail to Arundhati Reddy, On a length, on off, Arundhati Reddy taps it to the left of the bowler and runs for a quick single. Shabnim Ismail bolts forward, picks the ball and makes a direct hit at the batter's end. The umpire goes upstairs to have a check. Replays show that Richa Ghosh's bat was just inches inside the crease. She gets a lifeline.

Is Richa Ghosh run out at the batting end? The on-field umpires refer it upstairs for a review, but she seems to be safe. Shabnim charged forward-left from her follow-through, and got rid of the ball, scoring a direct hit at the batter's end. The replay shows that Richa has managed to drag her bat just in the nick of time before the stumps are hit. 

12.2: Shabnim Ismail to Richa Ghosh, On a length, sliding down leg, Richa Ghosh looks to flick it but the ball hits her pads and rolls towards mid off. They collect a leg bye.

12.1: Shabnim Ismail to Arundhati Reddy, Nice and full, on off, Arundhati Reddy pushes it to mid off for a single.

Going for the kill now, are MI. Shabnim Ismail returns and will bowl out. 3-0-15-2 so far. She replaces Nat Sciver-Brunt.

11.6: Amelia Kerr to Richa Ghosh, Errs it down the leg side, Richa Ghosh looks to flick it but the ball brushes her pads and rolls towards fine leg. They collect a leg bye. The fielder makes a direct hit at the batter's end as the ball rolls towards mid on. They collect another run. 

11.5: Amelia Kerr to Arundhati Reddy, Flatter, on leg, Arundhati Reddy tucks it to square leg for a single.

11.4: Amelia Kerr to Arundhati Reddy, Too full, outside off, Arundhati Reddy looks to drive it but misses. The keeper collects the ball and whips the bails off in a flash. The umpire goes upstairs to have a check. Nothing on Ultra Edge as the third umpire checks for a caught behind as well. The replay shows that Arundhati Reddy had managed to get her back leg in time. Safe!

Is Reddy stumped out? Regardless, that's an exceptional glovework by Firdous behind the stumps. The on-field umpires have sent it upstairs for a review. The ball is passing close to the inside edge, so the TV umpire requests the UltraEdge first. The technology shows a flat line. Now, onto the stumping check. Reddy's back leg momentarily gets dragged out of the crease as she is forced to push in front to play the shot. But she is quick to slide it back in before Rahila dislodges the bails. NOT OUT loads on the giant screen.

11.3: Amelia Kerr to Arundhati Reddy, Flatter, on off, Arundhati Reddy taps it to mid off again.

11.2: Amelia Kerr to Arundhati Reddy, Much fuller, on off, Arundhati Reddy pushes it to mid off.

Out goes De Klerk and the crease has a new occupant. Arundhati Reddy, it is, at number 8.

11.1: Amelia Kerr to Nadine De Klerk, OUT! TAKEN! Amelia Kerr breaks the gritty stand and now, MI smell blood in the water. Flatter, on middle and leg, Nadine De Klerk gets low and looks to sweep it but gets a top edge. The ball carries towards deep mid-wicket. Nat Sciver-Brunt keeps her composure near the fence and takes a simple catch. 28 off 20 for Nadine De Klerk and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are 77/6, needing 123 more. 

10.6: Nat Sciver-Brunt to Richa Ghosh, Full, on off, Richa Ghosh sweeps it to the square leg fielder. Nadine De Klerk wanted a single but Richa Ghosh sends her back. Dot to end the over.

10.5: Nat Sciver-Brunt to Richa Ghosh, Slower one, outside off, Richa Ghosh leaves it alone.

10.4: Nat Sciver-Brunt to Nadine De Klerk, Hard length, on off, Nadine De Klerk punches it to cover for a single.

10.3: Nat Sciver-Brunt to Nadine De Klerk, FOUR! Salt on the wounds! Length, outside off, Nadine De Klerk uses the pace of the ball and steers it through backward point for a boundary.

10.2: Nat Sciver-Brunt to Richa Ghosh, DROPPED! A real shocker from Matthews. Couldn't have been a more easy and straightforward catch than that. Length, on off, Richa Ghosh looks to loft it but the ball hits the upper part of her bat. It goes in the air towards long off. Hayley Matthews gets on her knees and drops an absolute sitter. The batters collect a single.

10.1: Nat Sciver-Brunt to Richa Ghosh, Hard length, outside off, Richa Ghosh tries to slap it but misses.

10.1: Nat Sciver-Brunt to Richa Ghosh, Wide! Width, way outside off, Richa Ghosh leaves. Wided.

Halfway into the chase and RCB are 70/5, needing 130 more. At the same stage, Mumbai Indians were 76/1. Nat Sciver-Brunt (1-0-15-0) is brought back on, replacing Amanjot Kaur.

9.6: Amelia Kerr to Nadine De Klerk, Fired in, on leg, Nadine De Klerk fends it to point for a single.

9.5: Amelia Kerr to Richa Ghosh, Short, on off, Richa Ghosh looks to play at it but edges it to short third for a single.

9.4: Amelia Kerr to Richa Ghosh, Flighted up, on off, Richa Ghosh looks to punch it but gets an inside edge onto her pads. Dot.

9.3: Amelia Kerr to Nadine De Klerk, Tossed up, full and on off, Nadine De Klerk pushes it to extra cover for a single.

9.2: Amelia Kerr to Richa Ghosh, Slower one, on leg, and it keeps low. Richa Ghosh drags it through mid-wicket for a single.

9.1: Amelia Kerr to Nadine De Klerk, Short, on leg, Nadine De Klerk pulls it through mid-wicket for a single.

9.1: Amelia Kerr to Nadine De Klerk, Wide! Down the leg side, Nadine De Klerk looks to flick it but misses.

STRATEGIC BREAK. RCB are under tremendous pressure, but these two have somewhat arrested the slide with a budding 30-run partnership. The asking rate has shot up past 12, and Mumbai will just try to go for the kill by breaking this alliance as quickly as possible. But as long as Richa and Nadine are in the middle, Bengaluru's hopes (flickering) are still alive, as their capabilities need no introduction to hit big. And there she is. Bowler number six for MI. Amelia Kerr is brought into the attack. She replaces Vaishnavi Sharma.

8.6: Amanjot Kaur to Nadine De Klerk, Hard length, outside off, Nadine De Klerk drives it through covers for a single.

8.5: Amanjot Kaur to Nadine De Klerk, SIX! That's a powerful shot! A full toss, on middle and leg, Nadine De Klerk gets low and slogs it over deep square leg for a biggie.

8.4: Amanjot Kaur to Richa Ghosh, On a length, on off, Richa Ghosh drills it towards long on for a single.

8.3: Amanjot Kaur to Nadine De Klerk, Much fuller, outside off, Nadine De Klerk drives it to cover for a single.

8.2: Amanjot Kaur to Nadine De Klerk, Much fuller, on off, Nadine De Klerk pushes it to cover.

8.1: Amanjot Kaur to Richa Ghosh, Much fuller, on leg, Richa Ghosh flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

MI have used five bowlers so far, but where is Amelia Kerr? She hasn't been utilised just yet. Will she get a nod in this over? Nope. She won't. Amanjot Kaur (1-0-8-0) to continue. 

7.6: Vaishnavi Sharma to Nadine De Klerk, Nice and full, outside off, Nadine De Klerk eases it to the point fielder.

7.5: Vaishnavi Sharma to Richa Ghosh, Flatter, on leg, Richa Ghosh flicks it to square leg for a single.

7.4: Vaishnavi Sharma to Richa Ghosh, FOUR! Through the gap! Short, outside off, slower too. Richa Ghosh stays back and slaps it through point for a boundary. That was hit so powerfully, that no fielder got a chance to move a muscle. 

7.3: Vaishnavi Sharma to Nadine De Klerk, Fuller, on leg, Nadine De Klerk sweeps it through backward square leg for a single.

7.2: Vaishnavi Sharma to Nadine De Klerk, Too full, on off, Nadine De Klerk pushes it to mid off.

7.1: Vaishnavi Sharma to Richa Ghosh, Flatter, on leg, Richa Ghosh slogs it through square leg for a single.

Vaishnavi Sharma is introduced into the attack now. She replaces Hayley Matthews. 

6.6: Amanjot Kaur to Nadine De Klerk, FOUR! Just away from the point fielder! Length, on off, Nadine De Klerk slashes it through point, a bit uppishly. The fielder there, Sajana Sajeevan, flies to her right but fails to get a hand on it as the ball races away to the fence. 

6.5: Amanjot Kaur to Nadine De Klerk, Nice and full, on off, Nadine De Klerk taps it to mid off.

6.4: Amanjot Kaur to Richa Ghosh, Hard length, on off, Richa Ghosh pushes it to mid off for a single.

6.3: Amanjot Kaur to Richa Ghosh, Flatter, outside off, Richa Ghosh tries to punch it but misses.

6.2: Amanjot Kaur to Nadine De Klerk, Flatter, on off, Nadine De Klerk punches it through cover for a single.

6.1: Amanjot Kaur to Nadine De Klerk, Much fuller, on leg, Nadine De Klerk flicks it through mid-wicket for a brace.

End of Powerplay! Royal Challengers Bengaluru in huge trouble and they need a miracle to pull the game from here on. Mumbai Indians will look to pick the remaining wickets and win the game with ease. Let's see how it pans out...

5.6: Hayley Matthews to Richa Ghosh, Nice and full, on leg, Richa Ghosh flicks it to mid on.

5.5: Hayley Matthews to Richa Ghosh, Short, on off, Richa Ghosh looks to punch it but gets a thick edge. The ball lobs and lands safely to the right of the keeper. Dot.

5.4: Hayley Matthews to Nadine De Klerk, Full, on off, Nadine De Klerk sweeps it to square leg for a single.

5.3: Hayley Matthews to Nadine De Klerk, FOUR! Nadine De Klerk gets off the mark with a boundary! Much fuller, on middle and leg, Nadine De Klerk gets low and sweeps it through backward square leg for a boundary.

5.2: Hayley Matthews to Nadine De Klerk, Much fuller, on leg, Nadine De Klerk pushes it to the right of the bowler.

RCB go five down! Nadine De Klerk is the new batter.

5.1: Hayley Matthews to Radha Yadav, OUT! CAUGHT! Hayley Matthews gets her third wicket as Radha holes out. Flatter, just outside off, Radha Yadav tries to loft downtown, but does not get under the ball properly. Airs it off the toe end and the ball carries towards the left of long on. Shabnim Ismail runs in off the ropes, gets a bit crouched and takes a good catch. MI are absolutely bulldozing their opponents at the moment. RCB are 35/5.

4.6: Shabnim Ismail to Richa Ghosh, FOUR! Through the gap! Much fuller, outside off, Richa Ghosh drives it through point. The fielder dives to her right near the fence to stop the boundary but fails to do so. Excellent over from Ismail despite the boundary.

4.5: Shabnim Ismail to Richa Ghosh, Keeps it full, just outside off, Richa Ghosh pushes it to the cover fielder.

4.4: Shabnim Ismail to Richa Ghosh, Length again, on off, Richa Ghosh punches it to the cover fielder.

4.3: Shabnim Ismail to Richa Ghosh, Hard length, outside off, Richa Ghosh swings hard but misses.

4.2: Shabnim Ismail to Richa Ghosh, Length, on off, Richa Ghosh pushes it to mid off.

Another one bites the dust! Richa Ghosh is the new batter.

4.1: Shabnim Ismail to Gautami Naik, OUT! TIMBER! Shabnim Ismail strikes through a corker of a delivery. On a length, on middle, searing in with a hint of movement. Gautami Naik looks to play across the line but misses due the pace. Her bat arrives late and the ball rattles over the stumps. Wicket number 4 falls for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

3.6: Hayley Matthews to Radha Yadav, Flatter, on off, Radha Yadav pushes it back to the bowler.

Georgia Voll departs, and the third wicket goes down for Royal Challengers Bengaluru! Radha Yadav is the new batter.

3.5: Hayley Matthews to Georgia Voll, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! It is going from bad to worse for the Royal Challengers now. This, in all fairness, wasn't even a wicket-taking delivery and Voll won't be too pleased with that. It is on a fuller length but pushed down leg, pitching outside leg and spinning further away from her. Voll shuffles across the line and tries to sweep, only to get a faint edge, and Firdous holds on to a tidy low catch to her left. Hayley Matthews appeals for caught behind and the umpire raises her finger. RCB are 31/3, needing another 169 runs. 

3.4: Hayley Matthews to Georgia Voll, Around leg, this is nudged to the square leg region. 

3.3: Hayley Matthews to Georgia Voll, FOUR! Shot! A flighted delivery on off, and Voll gets down on one knee to sweep it over square leg. The fielder is inside the ring, and Voll picks her spot beautifully.

3.2: Hayley Matthews to Gautami Naik, Flat and short, on middle, Naik nudges it to mid-wicket for a single. 

Hayley Matthews gets the big fish! RCB are in a spot of bother now. Gautami Naik walks in to bat now.

3.1: Hayley Matthews to Smriti Mandhana, OUT! TOP EDGE AND GONE! That's a massive blow for RCB and almost every MI player bolts towards Matthews. Not that short, on middle, Smriti could have played it off the front foot, she chooses to go back. She tries to whip it across the line but only manages a thick top edge. The ball sails to the right of the square leg fielder. Poonam Khemnar, positioned a bit finer in the ring, sprints to her right. She finds the square leg umpire in her path but keeps her eyes fixed on the ball. The umpire moves out of the way, and Khemnar completes a superb catch. Mandhana falls for 6 off 7 and the Royal Challengers are being challenged here as they get reduced to 26/2, chasing 200. 

2.6: Shabnim Ismail to Smriti Mandhana, Shortish, outside off, Mandhana covers the line and pulls it to deep square leg for a single. 

2.5: Shabnim Ismail to Smriti Mandhana, Wide outside off and full, Smriti drills it off the front foot, but finds protection at cover. 

2.4: Shabnim Ismail to Georgia Voll, Pushed full and on off, dinked into the mid on region for a quick run. 

2.3: Shabnim Ismail to Georgia Voll, FOUR! Up and over! Short of a length, on middle and leg, Voll stands tall and pulls it over mid-wicket and mid on gap for a boundary. 

2.2: Shabnim Ismail to Georgia Voll, A fuller delivery, angles towards the front pad. Voll digs her bat down just in time and manages an inside edge.

Grace Harris falls! Georgia Voll walks in at number 3.

2.1: Shabnim Ismail to Grace Harris, OUT! TAKEN! Ismail provides the first breakthrough for RCB. This is on a back of a length, around the off pole. Harris lines up for a pull shot, but the ball stays a tad low and passes close to the inside edge before the keeper, Rahila, gets low in front and scoops the ball in her gloves. A huge celebrappeal for caught behind, but the umpire is unmoved. Shabnim is already off for a celebratory run, but the umpires have sent it upstairs for a review. UltraEdge shows a clear spike as the ball is next to the bat. Now, the third umpire checks the legality of the catch and deems it a fair catch. Another underwhelming return from Harris through her batting. She perishes on 15 off 9. RCB are 20/1, chasing 200.

1.6: Nat Sciver-Brunt to Grace Harris, Back of a length, this is turned through mid-wicket for a single. 

1.5: Nat Sciver-Brunt to Grace Harris, FOUR! Hat trick of boundaries for Harris! Half volley, on off, Harris prods forward, gets underneath it and lofts it crisply over mid off for a boundary. Harris looks switched on as she couldn't get past double figures in her last couple of games. 

1.4: Nat Sciver-Brunt to Grace Harris, FOUR! Cheeky and effective! Aims the stumps, nips in from middle to leg. Harris shuffles across a bit and scoops it through fine leg for a boundary. 

1.3: Nat Sciver-Brunt to Grace Harris, FOUR! That's such a clever shot! Back of a length, on the leg stump, Harris nudges it using soft hands and plays it through the huge gap between deep fine leg and deep mid-wicket for a boundary. 

1.2: Nat Sciver-Brunt to Smriti Mandhana, Fullish, outside off, Mandhana drives it through point for a single. 

1.1: Nat Sciver-Brunt to Grace Harris, Touch full, on middle and leg, Harris nudges it across to the mid-wicket region for a single. 

Who will bowl the second over? The centurion it shall be. No rest. Here's Nat Sciver-Brunt into the attack from the opposite end. 

0.6: Shabnim Ismail to Smriti Mandhana, A bouncer, on leg, Smriti ducks under it safely. 

0.5: Shabnim Ismail to Smriti Mandhana, Pops off the surface, outside off, this is tapped off the back foot to cover-point. 

0.4: Shabnim Ismail to Smriti Mandhana, FOUR! Gets into the business with a sublime shot! Full and wide outside off, Smriti presses in front and creams it through the cover and backward point gap for a boundary. Didn't try to hit it too hard, just timed the ball to perfection. 

0.3: Shabnim Ismail to Grace Harris, Off the mark through a hasty single! Much fuller, around off, Harris pushes it off the front foot to the widish cover region and hurries through for a single. 

0.2: Shabnim Ismail to Grace Harris, Dug in short, outside off, Grace flat bats it to mid off. 

0.1: Shabnim Ismail to Grace Harris, Steps down the track and punches this length ball to the cover region. 

Welcome back for the run chase. The MI players scatter out of the huddle and take their respective positions on the field. Smriti Mandhana and Grace Harris walk out as the opening pair for RCB. And as usual, it will be Shabnim Ismail to bowl the opening over. Searching for runs, it will be Grace Harris to take the strike. A slip in place. Here we go...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

So it is exactly 200 for RCB to get back to winning ways. Their bowling has come under the scanner just when the playoffs are knocking on the door. Mumbai Indians have lost three on the bounce and this is just like a must-win game for them to keep their playoff hopes alive. It will be a big test for their bowling unit against a powerpacked RCB batting unit. Should be an interesting chase. Back in a bit. Stay tuned. 

And the woman of the moment, NAT SCIVER-BRUNT, is in for a quick chat - She also wears the Orange Cap as she is now the leading run scorer of this season. She says that she has seen a few players who stayed in the nineties, so she wanted to get to her century. Adds that the partnership with Hayley was excellent, and they had a powerful batting lineup, so they are happy with what they have achieved. On her celebration, Nat Sciver-Brunt smiles and shyly dedicates the milestone to her wife, Katherine Sciver-Brunt, who is probably asleep at home but whom she hopes is watching. She mentions that Kat really wanted her to reach triple figures. Reflecting on the achievement, Sciver-Brunt says it is her first T20 hundred and expresses her happiness at crossing the milestone, adding that she hopes it is not her last. On Mumbai Indians’ total of 199, Sciver-Brunt notes that after losing so many tosses this season, it feels great to put up a strong score. She also stresses that the bowlers will need to perform well, given RCB’s deep batting lineup.

Mumbai Indians scored 112/1 in that 7-15 over phase, as RCB were pushed into a reactive mode, constantly shuffling the field as the pair dictated terms with ease. Both brought up deserved half centuries, and although Bell eventually snapped their 131-run stand, the damage was done. The stage was perfectly set for a late surge, with Sciver-Brunt batting in a different orbit altogether and Harmanpreet Kaur providing the ideal support at the other end. With Sciver-Brunt finally ending the century drought in the WPL, MI finished on 199 on the board. 

Mumbai Indians’ biggest headache this season has been their Powerplay batting, and this outing followed the same worrying script. They have the slowest run rate in the first six overs, with their opening stand barely averaging a tick above 20, and Sajana’s early dismissal only deepened the sense of deja vu. The RCB bowlers tightened the screws once again, mainly through Bell, leaving MI crawling to 38/1 at the end of the Powerplay. Then came the turnaround. Nat Sciver-Brunt and a run-hungry Hayley Matthews stitched together a superb recovery, built more on clarity and class. There was no blind slogging, just smart cricket. They absorbed the pressure, waited for the bowlers to err, and cashed in whenever the bowlers missed their lengths. Once set, the tempo lifted sharply through the middle overs as boundaries began to flow with reassuring regularity.

Mumbai Indians may have remained one shy of 200, but the Women's Premier League's wait is over for its first centurion, finally. It was a matter of when, and the question was who? And it was answered by Nat Sciver-Brunt. In a knock of the highest class, she stayed unbeaten on 100 from just 57 deliveries, blending authority with elegance throughout. Her innings powered Mumbai Indians into a commanding position at the halfway stage and gave the league a moment it had been waiting for eagerly.

19.6: Shreyanka Patil to Amelia Kerr, Much fuller, outside off, Amelia Kerr lifts it towards long off for a single. Nat Sciver-Brunt wanted a second run but Amelia Kerr sent her back. Mumbai Indians end their innings at 199 runs.

Last ball coming up. Can MI get past 200? Amelia Kerr walks in at number 6.

19.5: Shreyanka Patil to Amanjot Kaur, OUT! TIMBER! Shreyanka Patil gets a wicket on her name. Flatter, on off, and it skids through. Amanjot Kaur looks to loft it but misses it completely as the ball hits the timber. Amanjot Kaur walks back into the shed.

19.4: Shreyanka Patil to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Hundred up for Nat Sciver-Brunt! What a brilliant knock this has been. She also becomes the first batter to score a century in WPL! Nice and full, on off, Nat Sciver-Brunt knocks it down the ground for a single. Fittingly, the first century has been scored by the highest run-getter in the history of this competition. She raises her bat towards the dugout, her teammates, and even her family, which includes her wife and son. This is truly a moment to savour and her knock will be remembered for a long, long time.

19.3: Shreyanka Patil to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Keeps it full, on leg, Nat Sciver-Brunt looks to flick it but gets a bottom edge as the ball rolls to the left of the keeper. Dot. Nat Sciver-Brunt stays in 99 for now!

19.2: Shreyanka Patil to Amanjot Kaur, Full, on leg, Amanjot Kaur taps it to cover for a quick single. The fielder throws it towards the keeper but Nat Sciver-Brunt makes it in the crease comfortably.

19.1: Shreyanka Patil to Amanjot Kaur, Nice and full, on off, Amanjot Kaur drills it down the ground for a brace. Excellent running between the wickets. The fielder dives to her left and makes a brilliant stop in the deep. Saves two runs for her team.

18.6: Nadine De Klerk to Nat Sciver-Brunt, FOUR! Finds the gap! Much fuller, outside off, Nat Sciver-Brunt stays back and steers it through cover-point. The fielder, Arundhati, dives to her left to stop the boundary but fails to do so. Nat Sciver-Brunt moves to 99 now!

18.5: Nadine De Klerk to Amanjot Kaur, Slower one, on off, Amanjot Kaur flicks it to mid on for a single.

The 42-run partnership is broken for the third wicket. Amanjot Kaur walks in at number 5.

18.4: Nadine De Klerk to Harmanpreet Kaur, OUT! TAKEN! Nadine De Klerk has the last laugh. On a length, outside off, Harmanpreet Kaur stays back and looks to go down the ground. Gets it off the toe end of her bat as the ball carries towards long off. Georgia Voll settles under it and completes the catch. A quickfire 20 off 12 for Harmanpreet Kaur. Mumbai Indians are 189/3.

18.3: Nadine De Klerk to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Keeps it full, on leg, Nat Sciver-Brunt flicks it through mid on for a single.

18.2: Nadine De Klerk to Nat Sciver-Brunt, FOUR! Nat Sciver-Brunt moves to 94 now! Nice and full, outside off, Nat Sciver-Brunt leans on and cracks a drive through wide of mid off for a boundary.

18.1: Nadine De Klerk to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Too full, on off, Nat Sciver-Brunt pushes it to point.

17.6: Sayali Satghare to Harmanpreet Kaur, FOUR MORE! Back-to-back boundaries from Harmanpreet Kaur! Length again, outside off, Harmanpreet Kaur stays back and steers it through cover-point for yet another boundary.

17.5: Sayali Satghare to Harmanpreet Kaur, FOUR! Excellent from the skipper! On a length, outside off, Harmanpreet Kaur stays in her crease and chips it over extra cover for a boundary.

17.4: Sayali Satghare to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Full, on middle, Nat Sciver-Brunt chips it over mid on for a single. She gets into her 90s!

17.3: Sayali Satghare to Nat Sciver-Brunt, FOUR! Top shot from Nat Sciver-Brunt! Much fuller, outside off, Nat Sciver-Brunt goes down on one knee and clatters it over extra cover for a boundary.

17.2: Sayali Satghare to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Too full, on middle, Nat Sciver-Brunt drills it down the ground. The fielder fumbles in the deep, which allows the batters to collect two runs. The umpire checks for a short run and replays show that it was a fair run, though initially it looked like Kaur's bat was in the air for a bit. Two runs it is.

17.1: Sayali Satghare to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Much fuller, outside off, Nat Sciver-Brunt drives it to cover for a single.

16.6: Nadine De Klerk to Harmanpreet Kaur, A low full toss, on off, Harmanpreet Kaur gets down on one knee and slogs it over square leg for a brace. Good work in the deep by Radha Yadav, who runs to her right from deep mid-wicket and dives full-length to cut it off.

16.5: Nadine De Klerk to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Too full, on off, Nat Sciver-Brunt digs it down the ground for a single.

16.4: Nadine De Klerk to Nat Sciver-Brunt, FOUR! The onslaught continues from Nat Sciver-Brunt! That was cheeky. Full, outside off, Nat Sciver-Brunt picks it well and scoops it over short third for a boundary.

16.4: Nadine De Klerk to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Wide! Goes way outside off, Nat Sciver-Brunt leaves. Wided.

16.3: Nadine De Klerk to Harmanpreet Kaur, A low full toss, outside off, Harmanpreet Kaur drives it to cover for a single.

16.2: Nadine De Klerk to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Keeps it full, on off, Nat Sciver-Brunt slogs it over mid-wicket for just a single. Good fielding in the deep.

16.1: Nadine De Klerk to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Nice and full, outside off, Nat Sciver-Brunt tries to drive it but misses.

STRATEGIC BREAK. Going about at almost 10s an over, Mumbai Indians are well and truly on course for a total in excess of 200. The platform has been perfectly laid by Matthews and Sciver-Brunt through that middle phase as MI smashed 112 runs in that 7-15 over phase. It’s a surface made for batting and if RCB are to keep Mumbai under that mark, it would count as a significant win. For now though, everything hinges on breaking this partnership.

15.6: Sayali Satghare to Harmanpreet Kaur, Beaten! Much fuller, outside off, Harmanpreet Kaur swings hard but misses. 

15.5: Sayali Satghare to Harmanpreet Kaur, Keeps it full again, on off, Harmanpreet Kaur pushes it to the cover fielder.

15.4: Sayali Satghare to Harmanpreet Kaur, Nice and full, on off, Harmanpreet Kaur drives it to cover. A misfield allows the batters to collect two runs. That should have been a dot.

15.3: Sayali Satghare to Harmanpreet Kaur, A low full toss, on off, Harmanpreet Kaur pushes it to mid off.

15.2: Sayali Satghare to Harmanpreet Kaur, SIX! The skipper gets the crowd on their toes! Sayali Satghare goes fuller, outside off, Harmanpreet Kaur stays in her crease and powers it over long off for a biggie.

15.1: Sayali Satghare to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Nice and full, on off, Nat Sciver-Brunt knocks it to long on for a single.

14.6: Lauren Bell to Nat Sciver-Brunt, An off-pace delivery, full and outside off, Nat Sciver-Brunt slaps it to deep point for a single. 150 up for Mumbai Indians!

14.6: Lauren Bell to Nat Sciver-Brunt, WIDE! Miles outside the off stump, beyond the tramline. Left alone. 

14.5: Lauren Bell to Harmanpreet Kaur, Outside off, on a length, Kaur plays off the back foot and taps it between cover and point for a single. Gets off the mark, does the MI skipper. 

14.4: Lauren Bell to Harmanpreet Kaur, Full and on off, Kaur with a solid front foot defence to the cover region. 

The partnership is finally broken. Can they put a lid on the scoring rate now? Let's see. The skipper, Harmanpreet Kaur, walks in to bat.

14.3: Lauren Bell to Hayley Matthews, OUT! BOWLED! Who else but Bell? She breaks the 131-run partnership for the second wicket. Bell sees Hayley shuffling outside off and fires in full just outside off, following the batter. Matthews shapes up for a big slog, misses by a whisker as the ball cannons off the pads and smashes into the stumps behind. Bell is up in celebration. Matthews falls for a well-constructed 56 off 39 balls. Mumbai are 147/2 after 14.3 overs. 

14.2: Lauren Bell to Hayley Matthews, Slowish delivery, full and far outside off. Matthews shuffles a bit too across, and opts to leave. Not given as a wide. 

14.1: Lauren Bell to Hayley Matthews, FOUR! Easy pickings! A juicy full toss, outside off, asking to be hit. Matthews frees her arms and slices it past the backward point fielder's left for a boundary. 

13.6: Arundhati Reddy to Hayley Matthews, Full and straight, around off, Matthews plays off the back foot and knocks it down to long off for a single. 

13.5: Arundhati Reddy to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Full, on off, Nat drills it across to widish long on for a single. 

13.4: Arundhati Reddy to Nat Sciver-Brunt, EDGED, FOUR! Good length outside off at 98.7 kph. Sciver-Brunt drives on instinct, trying to work it away, but the outside edge flies past Bell to her left and races away to the deep third fence.

13.3: Arundhati Reddy to Hayley Matthews, Shortish, on off, Hayley pulls off the back foot to deep square leg for a single.

13.3: Arundhati Reddy to Hayley Matthews, FIVE WIDES! Bonus runs for MI! Good length down the leg side. Matthews makes room, Reddy tries to follow but drifts it well down leg and Ghosh has no chance to cut it off. The ball races away to the deep fine leg fence. 

13.2: Arundhati Reddy to Hayley Matthews, FOUR! FIFTY FOR HAYLEY MATTHEWS! This is her first half century this season. She was in desperate need of runs and she has picked the best occasion to get back in form. Hurls it full and outside off, Matthews clears the front leg and launches it over mid off. The ball is racing away to the fence. It’s her sixth half century in the WPL. 

13.1: Arundhati Reddy to Hayley Matthews, FOUR! Off the edge. Short and outside off, Hayley rocks back to punch it away, but gets a thick outside edge and the ball squirrels away to the deep third fence for four more. 

12.6: Radha Yadav to Nat Sciver-Brunt, FOUR! Into the gap again! Full and outside off at 81 kph. Sciver-Brunt drops to one knee and sweeps it hard to deep square leg for a boundary. 16 runs off the over!

12.5: Radha Yadav to Hayley Matthews, Dropped short, outside off, Hayley backs away and punches it to deep cover for a single. 

12.4: Radha Yadav to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Full, around the pads, whipped to deep mid-wicket for a single. 

12.3: Radha Yadav to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Full and tossed up outside off at 84.6 kph. NSB looks to sweep, but gets a top edge down to deep third man and they take two. 100-run partnership comes up between these two.

12.2: Radha Yadav to Nat Sciver-Brunt, FOUR! You cannot bowl her there! Serves it full, wide outside off, Sciver-Brunt leans on the front foot, and lofts it over cover for another boundary, beating long off's chase to her left. 

12.1: Radha Yadav to Nat Sciver-Brunt, FOUR! PUNISHED! Around the wicket. Full and tossed up outside off. NSB clears the front leg, heaves it to the left of deep mid-wicket, beats the fielder and finds the fence.

11.6: Shreyanka Patil to Hayley Matthews, FOUR! Up and over! These two are just toying around with the field now and Smriti has been forced to react to the shots. Full, outside off, Matthews smashes it over extra cover for a cracking boundary. 

11.5: Shreyanka Patil to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Full and in front of the stumps, an off break that spins in, Sciver-Brunt slogs it to deep square leg for a single. 

11.4: Shreyanka Patil to Nat Sciver-Brunt, FOUR! Just brilliant batting! Pitched fuller, around off, Sciver-Brunt gets on her knee and lofts it cleanly over mid off for a boundary. That's three in a row for Sciver-Brunt. 100 UP FOR MUMBAI INDIANS!

11.3: Shreyanka Patil to Nat Sciver-Brunt, FOUR! FIFTY FOR SCIVER-BRUNT! Off 32 balls. This is her 4th half century this season. Another knock of high quality.  On the off pole or thereabouts. She picks it early, as she so often does, and thumps it towards square leg for a boundary to get to her milestone. 

11.2: Shreyanka Patil to Nat Sciver-Brunt, FOUR! That's a brilliant shot from Nat Sciver-Brunt! Fuller, on middle and leg, Nat Sciver-Brunt gets low and sweeps it through square leg for a boundary.

11.1: Shreyanka Patil to Hayley Matthews, Flatter, on off, Hayley Matthews flicks it to the right of the bowler. She dives to her right and makes a good stop. The ball rolls towards mid on as the batters collect a single.

10.6: Nadine De Klerk to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Fractionally short, outside off, Nat is forced to reach at it and ends up chopping it to the cover-point region. 

10.5: Nadine De Klerk to Hayley Matthews, Full again, on the pads, this is flicked to the deep mid-wicket region for a single. 

10.4: Nadine De Klerk to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Full, on leg, Nat tugs it to deep mid-wicket for a single. 

10.3: Nadine De Klerk to Nat Sciver-Brunt, FOUR! Top shot! Lands it on a length, on middle and leg, Nat plays off the back foot, pulls it perfectly through the deep square leg and deep mid-wicket gap for a cracking boundary. 

10.2: Nadine De Klerk to Nat Sciver-Brunt, SIX! LAUNCHED! Nadine lands it right into the slot, full and on off, Nat Sciver-Brunt gets on a knee and just effortlessly slogs it over deep mid-wicket for a six. That's the first of the evening. 

10.1: Nadine De Klerk to Hayley Matthews, Pitched short and on off, Hayley heaves it to long on for a single.

Halfway through the first innings. These two seem to have settled really nicely now. Nadine De Klerk replaces Arundhati Reddy. 

9.6: Radha Yadav to Hayley Matthews, Short, on off, Hayley Matthews punches it to mid off for a single.

9.5: Radha Yadav to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Much fuller again, on off, Nat Sciver-Brunt drills it to long off for just a single.

9.4: Radha Yadav to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Too full, on off, Nat Sciver-Brunt digs it back to the bowler.

9.3: Radha Yadav to Hayley Matthews, Short, on off, Hayley Matthews knocks it down the ground for a single.

9.2: Radha Yadav to Hayley Matthews, FOUR! Top shot from Hayley Matthews! Flatter, on off, Hayley Matthews stays back in her crease and punches it through cover-point for a boundary.

9.1: Radha Yadav to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Top full, on off, Nat Sciver-Brunt flicks it to mid on for a single.

STRATEGIC BREAK. At the end of the Powerplay, MI looked under tremendous pressure, with just 38/1 on the board. But the next three overs have gone for 30 runs, with this partnership worth 52 runs. They have arrested the collapse and have batted beautifully. It hasn't been hammer and tongs, but they have ensured that the dot-ball percentage stays low. RCB would aim to break this stand as quickly as possible and push MI back to reconstruct. And with that, Radha Yadav is introduced into the attack now. 

8.6: Arundhati Reddy to Hayley Matthews, FOUR! That's a poor delivery! Arundhati Reddy errs her line down the leg side, Hayley Matthews uses the pace of the ball and tickles it through fine leg. The fielder chases but the ball wins the race.

8.5: Arundhati Reddy to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Nice and full, on leg, Nat Sciver-Brunt flicks it to wide of mid on for a single.

8.4: Arundhati Reddy to Hayley Matthews, Just short! Length, outside off, Hayley Matthews looks to loft it but edges it to short third. The ball lands just short of Lauren Bell who dives to her left and makes a good stop. Just a single.

8.3: Arundhati Reddy to Hayley Matthews, FOUR! Perfectly placed! On a length, outside off, Hayley Matthews stays in her crease and steers it in the gap through backward point for a magnificent boundary.

8.2: Arundhati Reddy to Hayley Matthews, On a length, outside off, and it stays low. Hayley Matthews looks to slap it but gets a bottom edge as the ball rolls to the right of the bowler. Dot.

8.1: Arundhati Reddy to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Nice and full, outside off, Nat Sciver-Brunt knocks it to long on for a single.

19 runs in the last 2 overs for Mumbai Indians. They are gradually gaining momentum here. Also, we missed it. Grace Harris is off the field for now, but she seems geared up to be back on. Arundhati Reddy is back on. 1-0-5-0 so far, and she replaces Nadine De Klerk. 

7.6: Shreyanka Patil to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Flatter, on leg, Nat Sciver-Brunt flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

7.5: Shreyanka Patil to Nat Sciver-Brunt, FOUR! Nat Sciver-Brunt is gearing up! Slower one, outside off, Nat Sciver-Brunt stays in her crease and slaps it magnificently through cover-point for a boundary.

7.4: Shreyanka Patil to Hayley Matthews, Short, just outside off, Hayley Matthews punches it through covers for a single.

7.3: Shreyanka Patil to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Short, on off, Nat Sciver-Brunt knocks omit down the ground for a single.

7.2: Shreyanka Patil to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Quicker, on off, Nat Sciver-Brunt eases it back to the bowler.

7.1: Shreyanka Patil to Nat Sciver-Brunt, FOUR! You cannot give that width to Nat Sciver-Brunt! Flatter, outside off, Nat Sciver-Brunt reaches out to it and punches it in the gap through cover for a boundary. 50 UP FOR MI!

Time for spin now. Here's Shreyanka Patil into the attack. She replaces Arundhati Reddy.

6.6: Nadine De Klerk to Hayley Matthews, Back of a length, on off, Hayley Matthews hops a bit and punches it but finds the fielder at cover. Dot to end the over.

6.5: Nadine De Klerk to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Back of a length, on off, Nat Sciver-Brunt looks to pull it but doesn't connect well. The ball slowly rolls towards long on as the batters collect a single.

6.4: Nadine De Klerk to Nat Sciver-Brunt, FOUR! MI needs to gear up! On a length, just outside off, Nat Sciver-Brunt makes room and chips it over mid off for a boundary. 

6.3: Nadine De Klerk to Hayley Matthews, Slower again, sliding down leg, Hayley Matthews looks to flick it but the ball hits his pads and rolls towards mid-wicket. They collect a leg bye.

6.2: Nadine De Klerk to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Good length, on middle and leg, Nat Sciver-Brunt helps it to fine leg for a single. 

6.1: Nadine De Klerk to Hayley Matthews, Slower one, just outside off, Hayley Matthews punches it to point for a single.

Whose Powerplay was it then? Mumbai or Bengaluru? Restricting MI to just about run-a-ball is a win for RCB. Because for Mumbai, this particular phase, meaning, the Powerplay phase, has been their weakest link this season. Yet again, they couldn't make the most of it. But losing only one wicket, they have the cushion to accelerate in this middle phase with wickets in hand. Okay then, as the field spreads, Nadine De Klerk is brought into the attack, replacing Lauren Bell. 

5.6: Arundhati Reddy to Hayley Matthews, Hard length, on leg, Hayley Matthews tucks it to backward square leg for a single.

5.5: Arundhati Reddy to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Nice and full, on off, Nat Sciver-Brunt looks to flick it but gets a leading edge as the ball goes towards short third. They collect a single.

5.4: Arundhati Reddy to Hayley Matthews, Goes fuller this time, on middle, Hayley Matthews stays in her crease and flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

5.3: Arundhati Reddy to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Slightly shorter again, on middle, Nat Sciver-Brunt pulls it through backward square leg for another single.

5.2: Arundhati Reddy to Hayley Matthews, Back of a length, on middle and leg, Hayley Matthews pulls it on the bounce towards deep square leg for a single.

5.1: Arundhati Reddy to Hayley Matthews, Slower one, on off, Hayley Matthews pushes it to the right of the bowler. Arundhati Reddy starts with a dot.

Richa Ghosh looks a bit uncomfortable as something has gotten into her eyes. It is her right eye, and the physio is out to tend to her. It seems fine now. Also, there's a bowling change from this end. Arundhati Reddy to round up the Powerplay. She replaces Sayali. 

4.6: Lauren Bell to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Touch full and on the stumps, Sciver-Brunt mistimes the straight drive off the inner half and Bell half stops it with her right hand on the follow-through.

4.5: Lauren Bell to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Fuller and around off, Sciver-Brunt shimmies down a bit and works it to mid off.

4.4: Lauren Bell to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Speared onto the pads, on a shorter length. Nat tries to whip it across but gets hit on the thigh pad as the ball lobs away to the point region. 

4.3: Lauren Bell to Nat Sciver-Brunt, On a fuller length, on middle, drilled across to short mid-wicket. Voll gets a bad bounce and parries the ball to the mid on fielder. 

4.2: Lauren Bell to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Excellent work by Smith in the deep! Length ball, outside off, shaping away, Nat Sciver-Brunt punches it crisply to deep cover. Linsey Smith from deep point runs across to her left and slides to cut it off. Two taken. 

4.1: Lauren Bell to Hayley Matthews, Fuller and outside off, swinging away. Matthews drives it square on the off side, to deep point for a single. 

Change from the other end? Or will Bell get third over on the trot? She will. 2-0-11-1 so far. 

3.6: Sayali Satghare to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Skids through the deck, swinging into the batter. Nat goes deep inside the crease and heaves it between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for a couple of quick runs. 10 runs from the over. 

3.5: Sayali Satghare to Hayley Matthews, A touch short, on middle, Hayley hangs back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single. 

3.4: Sayali Satghare to Hayley Matthews, FOUR! Poor line and gets the treatment! Slides one down the leg stump, does Sayali. On a fuller length. Hayley uses the pace and whips it to the long leg fence for a boundary. 

3.3: Sayali Satghare to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Much fuller than the previous delivery, curving on the pads. Sciver-Brunt flicks it through mid-wicket for an easy single. 

3.2: Sayali Satghare to Hayley Matthews, Back of a length, on leg, Matthews stays back and dinks it to widish mid on for a single. 

3.1: Sayali Satghare to Hayley Matthews, Shapes in from outside off, on a length. Hayley nudges it to mid on using soft hands. 

3.1: Sayali Satghare to Hayley Matthews, WIDE! Far down leg, on a length. Hayley ignores. Richa collects it to her left sharply. 

2.6: Lauren Bell to Nat Sciver-Brunt, FOUR! She is up and running! A low full toss, around off, Nat drives it straight down the ground, bisecting mid on and mid off to perfection and picks up her first boundary. 

2.5: Lauren Bell to Nat Sciver-Brunt, On a back of a length, on top of off, Nat hangs back and tucks it to short mid-wicket. 

2.4: Lauren Bell to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Full and around middle, worked to mid on with soft hands. 

2.3: Lauren Bell to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Too full, on the stumps, carved out to mid on. 

MI under early pressure as Sajana walks back. Nat Sciver-Brunt is in at number 3.

2.2: Lauren Bell to Sajana Sajeevan, OUT! LBW! Bell gets the first breakthrough and once again, MI's opening partnership fails to produce a strong start. Fractionally full and nipping into the batter, Sajana tries to flick it across the line, but misses to connect and gets pinged on the front pad. RCB go up in appeal as one and the umpire obliges. Sajana has a brief chat with Matthews, but decides not to take the review. Sajeevan departs on 7 (7) and Mumbai Indians are 16/1.

2.1: Lauren Bell to Sajana Sajeevan, Stays a bit low on the bounce, on a length, outside off, shaping away. Sajana shapes to slice it through point, but misses. 

1.6: Sayali Satghare to Sajana Sajeevan, In and around the leg stump line, Sajana gets on the front foot and steers it to deep square leg for a single. 

1.5: Sayali Satghare to Sajana Sajeevan, FOUR! Finds the gap to perfection! A bit too short and wide on off. Sajana frees her arms and square cuts it through the backward point and cover gap for a boundary. 

1.4: Sayali Satghare to Hayley Matthews, Touch short, on middle and leg, Matthews gets across and chips it over wide mid on for a single. 

1.3: Sayali Satghare to Sajana Sajeevan, Good length, on the stumps, this is tucked behind square on the leg side for a single.

1.2: Sayali Satghare to Hayley Matthews, Shortish in length, on top of middle. Hayley turns it off the back foot through backward square leg for a single. 

1.1: Sayali Satghare to Sajana Sajeevan, On a length, angled at the pads, Sajana misses to nudge it away and gets hit on the thigh pad. The ball then rolls to the leg side, behind square and they get a leg bye. 

That was an excellent opening over from Lauren Bell. It will be Sayali Satghare to share the attack from the opposite end. 

0.6: Lauren Bell to Hayley Matthews, Edged, but does not carry! Fuller ball, curving away from off, Matthews pushes hard at it to drive in front, but gets a fat outside edge. The ball dips and yorks Radha Yadav's fingers, who dives forward to scoop it. 

0.5: Lauren Bell to Sajana Sajeevan, Short of a length, outside off, Sajana rises with the bounce and dabs it past the diving short third fielder for a single. 

0.4: Lauren Bell to Hayley Matthews, On a good length, on the stumps, Matthews clips it to deep square leg for a single. 

0.3: Lauren Bell to Hayley Matthews, BEATEN! That's an absolute beauty. With the seam positioned toward the first or maybe, second slip, Bell lands it on a good length, on the top of the off pole. Matthews plays inside the line to defend and the ball zips past the outside edge, passing scarily close to the top of off.

0.3: Lauren Bell to Hayley Matthews, WIDE! Drifts one down leg, on a length. Matthews misses the flick. Wide called. 

0.2: Lauren Bell to Hayley Matthews, BEATEN! Nice comeback by Bell. Swings one away from the right-hander, full in length, outside off. Matthews is tempted to play the cover drive, but does not quite get to the pitch of the ball and misses to connect. 

0.1: Lauren Bell to Hayley Matthews, FOUR! Top start! On a back of a length, on middle and leg. Matthews hangs back, waits on it and pulls it to deep square leg for a boundary. 

All in readiness for Match 16 to get underway. The two umpires make their way out to the center. Now, Smriti Mandhana leads her troops out as the Royal Challengers spread out to the field and take their positions. Hayley Matthews and Sajana Sajeevan are the two openers for the Mumbai Indians. Lauren Bell has the new ball and is raring to go. Hayley to take the strike. The countdown is down and here we go!

We are just a few moments away from the first ball, but before that, both teams have lined up for the Indian national anthem on the occasion of the Republic Day of India. 

RCB's Lauren Bell is up for a chat - She says that she stays positive and she performs best when she is smiling rather than getting angry. She prefers trusting her experience against familiar batters over relying on analytics, planning to stick to her strengths and target the stumps on this specific pitch. Bell also reflects on the challenge of modifying her bowling action while competing at the highest level, explaining that while she intends to bring back her inswinger during a future training block, her current focus remains on perfecting the consistency of her outswinger.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Unchanged Playing XI) - Grace Harris, Smriti Mandhana(C), Georgia Voll, Gautami Naik, Richa Ghosh(WK), Radha Yadav, Nadine De Klerk, Arundhati Reddy, Sayali Satghare, Shreyanka Patil, and Lauren Bell.

Mumbai Indians (Playing XI) - Sajana Sajeevan, Hayley Matthews, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Amelia Kerr (In for Nicola Carey), Amanjot Kaur, Sanskriti Gupta, Rahila Firdous (WK), Poonam Khemnar, Shabnim Ismail, and Vaishnavi Sharma.

The captain of Mumbai Indians - Harmanpreet Kaur says that, considering the conditions and how the previous games have unfolded, the team would have preferred to bowl first, but adds that they are ready to adapt to whatever comes their way. She stresses that it is an important match for the side. She mentions that the team has spent quality time together, held productive meetings, and put in solid training sessions. Kaur hopes that everything discussed and worked on over the past couple of days translates into strong execution on the field. Confirming a change in the lineup, she says Amelia Kerr comes back into the side, while Nicola Carey misses out due to injury.

The captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru - Smriti Mandhana says that they will bowl first as dew is a factor, and batting second would be good as they are a batting side. Adds that they have taken learnings from the last game and they have done well for the opening games. Adds that there was a bump in the last game but they will look to rectify those. Says that they will access a couple of overs and see how it goes. Ends by saying that they are going with the same side.