Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) faced an early exit from the Women’s Premier League 2025 (WPL 2025) as they lost to UP Warriorz (UP-W) by 12 runs in Match 18 on Saturday, March 8 at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. After being put in to bat first, UP posted a massive score of 225/5 in their allotted 20 overs riding on a splendid innings from Georgia Voll (99* off 56).
In reply, RCB came agonisingly close to chasing down the record target but were eventually bundled out for 213 in 19.3 overs with Richa Ghosh playing a lone hand of 69 (33). As a result, the defending champions are out of the tournament languishing on the last spot of the points table with just two wins from seven matches having four points to their name.
RCB’s chase didn’t get off to a good start as they lost their captain Smriti Mandhana (4 off 4) cheaply in the third over. However, Ellyse Perry (28 off 15) and Sabbhineni Meghana (27 off 12) tried to keep up with the net run rate with their attacking knocks.
Champions Trophy: Full Coverage
Following their dismissals, RCB were on 76/3 in 6.5 overs as Richa Ghosh walked to the crease. Despite failing to get any support from the other end, she went about her usual business launching an all-out attack on the UP bowlers. The wicketkeeper batter played a belligerent knock of 69 (33) smashing six fours and five sixes in her innings.
Ghosh looked determined to take RCB over the line and keep their playoff chances alive but her innings was cut short by Deepti Sharma who got her holed out to deep square leg. Just when things looked done for the defending champions, Sneh Rana played a mind-boggling cameo of 26 (6) scoring as she took Deepti Sharma to the cleaners.
Georgia Voll registers highest score in WPL history
However, her dismissal on the last ball of the over pretty much sealed the deal as RCB were bundled out for 213. Earlier in the day, UP got off to a terrific start as openers Grace Harris (39 off 22) and Georgia Voll added 77 runs for the first wicket off 43 balls.
Voll in particular looked on song, playing just her third game in the tournament. She further got the support of Kiran Navgire for the second wicket who bludgeoned 46 (16) to leave RCB in tatters. Voll brought up her half century off 31 deliveries and looked set to score the first ever century in WPL history. However, batting on 98*, she could only score one run on the last ball of the innings and got leveled with Sophie Devine for the highest score recorded in WPL history.
She clobbered 17 fours and a six in her innings as she guided UP to the highest ever score in WPL history of 225/5 surpassing Delhi’s record of 223. The 21-year-old was deservedly awarded Player of the Match in UP’s victory. As a result, UP finished their campaign on the fourth spot on points table with three wins from eight matches. Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants and Mumbai Indians have qualified for the playoffs of the event.
