
Image credits: Georgia Voll was unbeaten on 99, powering UP Warriorz to a record total, Photo Credit: WPL Official
Record-Breaking Innings
The UP Warriorz brought their A-game to the table, posting the highest-ever WPL total of 225/5, with Georgia Voll's imperious knock of 99 not out and Kiran Navgire's brutal 16-ball assault worth 46. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru bowlers looked rusty, and Voll & Co. took full toll, setting a daunting target for RCB to chase.
Chasing a Record
To stay alive in the playoffs race, RCB needed to better their own chasing record set in the season opener. Although they did, they still fell 12 runs short of the target, crashing to their fifth straight defeat and ending their title defence. Smriti Mandhana got going with a sublime cover boundary but fell to a soft dismissal, while S Meghana took Grace Harris apart with a 22-run over.
Late Drama
Through the middle overs, it was Richa Ghosh's relentless counterattack that kept RCB afloat, but her slog across the line went straight to Chinelle Henry in the deep, bringing curtains on her knock and, effectively, RCB's hopes. However, Sneh Rana threatened to do a Sophie Ecclestone from their reverse fixture, proving her batting worth with a quick cameo of 26, but fell on the final ball of the penultimate over, leaving RCB with 15 to get in the final six with the last wicket in hand. Ultimately, they managed only two singles before Renuka Thakur was run-out, securing a 12-run win for UP Warriorz and sending Gujarat Giants through to the playoffs for the first time in three seasons.
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