The M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru was witness to some terrific hitting from Royal Challengers Bangalore batters in a Women’s Premier League match against UP Warriorz on Monday.
Engaging fifties by skipper Smriti Mandhana and star all-rounder Elysse Perry took Royal Challengers Bangalore to a formidable 198 for three in 20 overs. Looking to get out of a two-match losing streak, RCB promoted S Meghana into the opening slot in place of Sophie Devine and the move paid off.
Meghana and Mandhana (80, 50b, 10×4, 3×6) added 51 runs in 5.3 overs to give the Royal Challengers a strong platform and the hosts ended the Power Play at 57 for 1, their best in WPL 2.
Mandhana in the company of Perry (58, 37b, 4×4, 4×6) added 95 runs off just 64 balls for the second wicket to optimise that start as the UP bowlers wilted under constant heat.
The left-hander’s timing was stunning as she played shots all around the park and treated spinners with disdain. It will give her a lot of confidence as she often tends to get stuck against the tweakers.
Mandhana, who was dropped on 28, was particularly severe on off-spinner Chamari Athapathuthu and left-arm pacer Anjali Sarvani, who she carted for a slew of fours and sixes.