Royal Challengers Bengaluru pulled off a stunning three-wicket win over defending champions Mumbai Indians in a last-ball thriller at the DY Patil Stadium, thanks to a remarkable all-round performance from Nadine de Klerk.
Chasing 155, RCB were in deep trouble early. Smriti Mandhana, Grace Harris and Richa Ghosh were all dismissed within the first eight overs, leaving the side struggling at 65 for 5. With the chase slipping away, de Klerk and Arundhati Reddy steadied the innings with a crucial 52-run partnership. Reddy made a calm 20, while de Klerk held firm at one end before launching a late assault.
RCB needed 18 runs from the final over. After two dot balls increased the pressure, de Klerk struck a six, a four and another six to bring the equation down to two off the final ball. With the field brought in to stop the single, she backed away and smashed the winning runs over the bowler’s head to seal a dramatic victory. She finished unbeaten on 63 and earlier had taken 4 for 26 with the ball, earning Player of the Match honours.
Mumbai Indians were left to rue several missed chances late in the game, including dropped catches and a missed run-out in the 19th over that could have turned the match. Earlier, Lauren Bell had given RCB a strong start with the ball, removing Amelia Kerr cheaply and keeping MI under pressure in the powerplay.
For MI, Sajana and Nicola Carey provided some resistance in the middle overs, adding a valuable partnership to lift the total to 154 for 6. Sajana’s aggressive hitting helped MI regain momentum, but it proved just short in the end.
In the end, de Klerk’s composure under pressure and RCB’s late surge made the difference, as Bengaluru snatched a thrilling win on the opening night.
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