WPL 2026: Nat Sciver-Brunts ton helps Mumbai Indians beat RCB to keep playoffs hopes alive
Richa Ghosh's 90-run knock went in vain as the Mumbai Indians (MI) beat the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by 15 runs to keep their playoffs hopes alive in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026.
Nat Sciver-Brunt hit the first-ever ton in WPL history as Mumbai Indians (MI) beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by 15 runs at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on Monday. MI bagged their third win in the WPL 2026 to remain in contention for a spot in the playoffs. Richa Ghosh's brilliant 90-run knock went in vain as RCB failed to chase down a stiff target of 200 runs in the game.
After completing her half-century in the 18th over of RCB's chase, Richa launched a late onslaught against the Mumbai Indians bowlers with her team requiring 59 runs to win off 12 balls. The wicket-keeper batter went all guns blazing as she raced to 90 off just 50 balls.
However, she left it too later as RCB fell short in the run chase despite her blazing knock. Richa slammed three consecutive sixes against Amanjot Kaur to help RCB get 27 runs off the 19th over, leaving 32 runs for the last over. However, she could manage only 16 runs off five balls against Amelia Kerr before getting dismissed on the final delivery of the 20th over.
RCB suffered their second defeat in a row in the tournament, but continue to hold the top spot with 10 points from seven matches. Meanwhile, the Mumbai Indians moved to the second spot on the table with six points from seven games and a net run rate of +0.146.
RCB got off to a horror start in the run-chase, losing half their side for just 35 runs inside the Powerplay as the likes of skipper Smriti Mandhana (6), Georgia Voll (9), Grace Harris (15) and Gautami Nayak (1) departed cheaply. However, Richa kept them in the hunt with her fighting 90-run knock.
Nat Sciver-Brunt slams milestone century to star in MI's victory
Nat Sciver-Brunt starred with the bat for the Mumbai Indians with a milestone hundred. The England all-rounder became the first-ever batter to score a century in the tournament's history after smashing an unbeaten 100 off 57 balls. Her knock was laced with 16 fours and a six.
Sciver-Brunt, the leading run-getter in WPL history, combined with MI opener Hayley Matthews (56) to share a 131-run stand for the second wicket to help her side post a huge total of 199 runs in 20 overs against RCB. She completed her ton off 57 balls with a single against Shreyanka Patil in the final over of MI's innings to bring an end to the long wait of first-ever WPL ton.
With her 101-run knock, the England star also became the first batter to score over 300 runs in three different seasons of the WPL. Her unbeaten ton helped MI stay alive in the race for the playoffs, and the two-time champions will be hoping to continue their winning run in their final league game of the season against Gujarat Giants on January 30.