The Royal Challengers Bangalore has clinched a thrilling two-run victory over the UP Warriorz in Sunday morning’s Women’s Premier League contest in Bengaluru despite a trademark onslaught from Australian all-rounder Grace Harris.
The Queenslander clobbered 38 from 23 balls, including two sixes, to put the Warriorz within touching distance of the 158-run target, but fellow Australian Sophie Molineux successfully defended 11 from the final over to give Bangalore a win in its series opener.
Royal Challengers all-rounder Sobhana Asha claimed five wickets in a player of the match performance, while Sabbhineni Meghana and wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh each cracked fifties during the first innings.
Superstar all-rounder Ellyse Perry only managed 8 (7) for Bangalore, while Warriorz captain Alyssa Healy was bowled by Molineux in the second over of the run chase for 5 (4).
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The previous innings, rookie all-rounder Sajeevan Sajana hit a six to give defending champions Mumbai Indians a nailbiting last-ball win in the franchise’s Women’s Premier League season opener.
Sajana took the crease in Bengaluru with Mumbai four runs behind the Delhi Capitals in a rerun of the inaugural season’s final last year.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur had been caught at long-on for 55 after attempting a boundary on the penultimate ball.
Sajana then danced down the track, bringing Mumbai to 6-173 and sealing a four-wicket win.
The 29-year-old, a captain for state side Kerala, had been scooped up by Kaur’s team in December at the bottom end of the player auction price band.
England all-rounder Alice Capsey top-scored for Delhi with 75.
Franchise rights were auctioned off last January for AU$873 million, while media rights for the first five seasons were sold to Viacom18 for $178 million.
The two deals made the WPL the second-most valuable women’s sports league after the WNBA women’s basketball in the United States.