Sophie Ecclestone was the standout player as the UP Warriors triumphed over the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in a thrilling Super Over during the Women’s Premier League (WPL). The match took place on February 24 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, marking the first Super Over in WPL history. Unfortunately for RCB, they continued to face challenges on their home ground, having lost to both the Mumbai Indians and now the Warriorz.
Ecclestone, who is currently the top-ranked bowler in Women’s T20Is, not only showcased her exceptional bowling skills but also demonstrated her batting prowess. With the Warriorz needing 18 runs in the final over, she hit two consecutive sixes and followed it up with a four, which pushed the game into a Super Over.
In a final twist, Richa Ghosh of RCB ran out Kranti Goud on the last ball, ensuring their team got another chance in the Super Over. However, Ecclestone rose to the occasion yet again, with Kim Garth delivering an impressive over that restricted RCB’s big hitters to just eight runs.
In the end, Ecclestone allowed only four runs in the Super Over, securing a thrilling win for the Warriorz, who climbed to third place in the standings despite starting at the bottom earlier in the tournament. RCB, despite suffering back-to-back defeats, remained at the top of the table.
### Ellyse Perry’s Outstanding Performance Falls Short
Earlier in the match, RCB batted first and compiled a commendable total of 180 runs for the loss of six wickets. Ellyse Perry made an impressive contribution, scoring 90 runs off 56 balls, which is the highest score by an RCB player in WPL history. She remained steady after coming in during the fourth over, partnering well with Danni Wyatt-Hodge, who scored 57 runs off 41 deliveries. However, the rest of the batting lineup struggled, with only these two reaching double figures.
In the chase, the Warriorz faced difficulties losing wickets regularly. Despite Deepti Sharma’s quick 25 off 13 balls and Kiran Navgire’s brisk knock, the Warriorz were always behind in the game. Shweta Sehrawat also added vital runs with her steady 31-ball innings.
Ultimately, it was Ecclestone who took charge, scoring 33 runs off 19 balls, a performance that set the stage for her key role in the Super Over.
