In a game for the ages, UP Warriorz edged past Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in a dramatic Super Over finish at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025. After both teams finished with identical scores of 180, the match went into a nail-biting Super Over, where the Warriorz held their nerve to claim victory. Kim Garth’s brilliant bowling performance in the Super Over restricted UP Warriorz to just 8 runs, but Sophie Ecclestone’s exceptional last-over defense saw RCB manage only 4 runs, sealing an unforgettable win for the Warriorz.
Ellyse Perry’s heroics power RCB to 180
Opting to bat first, RCB’s innings was anchored by a breathtaking knock from Ellyse Perry (90 off 56 balls), who played a commanding role in setting up a formidable total. Danni Wyatt-Hodge (57 off 41) provided crucial support, forming a solid 117-run stand for the second wicket. RCB looked set for a total well beyond 190, but the Warriorz pulled things back in the death overs with crucial breakthroughs. Tahlia McGrath, Deepti Sharma and Chinelle Henry chipped in with key wickets, while tight fielding led to three crucial run-outs that halted RCB’s final flourish. Despite this, Perry’s incredible power-hitting ensured RCB finished with a competitive 180/6.
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UP Warriorz fight back with a late flourish
Chasing 181, the Warriorz got off to a flying start, with Kiran Navgire (24 off 12) and Dinesh Vrinda (14 off 10) launching an early assault. However, RCB struck back with quick wickets, including the dismissals of McGrath (0) and Deepti (25 off 13), leaving UPW at 72/4 in 8 overs. Shweta Sehrawat (31 off 25) held one end, but consistent strikes from Sneh Rana (3/27), Garth (2/40) and Renuka Singh (2/36) had RCB in the driver’s seat. Just when the Warriorz looked out of the contest, an explosive cameo from Ecclestone (33 off 19) and Saima Thakor (14 off 8) brought the game to an electrifying climax. Needing 9 off the final over, Ecclestone was run out on the last ball, forcing the game into a historic Super Over.
Super Over drama in WPL 2025: Sophie Ecclestone seals it for UPW
The Warriorz batted first in the Super Over but found it tough against Garth’s accuracy, managing just 8/1 in six balls, with Henry (4) dismissed early. With a target of 9 runs, Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh stepped in for RCB, but Ecclestone’s masterful over kept them quiet, conceding just 4 runs. The left-arm spinner held her nerve brilliantly, not allowing RCB a single boundary, scripting a remarkable win for the Warriorz in the first-ever Super Over finish in WPL history.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Sophie Ecclestone is an absolute super star. Batted brilliantly and then closed out the match defending just 8 runs in super over against Smriti and Richa. Excellent win for UPW and hard luck to RCBW.
— Prasanna (@prasannalara) February 24, 2025
Devi.
Devi.
Goddess.Bow down to Sophie Ecclestone!
Best to have played the game. To defend just 8 runs is magnificent!
Mind blowing! Fan for life. Always was, now even more so. pic.twitter.com/DNV4DibmGs
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) February 24, 2025
Sophie Ecclestone showed why she’s the no. 1 ranked bowler. What a match. WPL is a blockbuster. pic.twitter.com/rsx1uCsESn
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) February 24, 2025
Donkeys you don’t deserve Perry, useless team wanted her to carry them even in 6 balls, god how thrash are you
— arfan (@Im__Arfan) February 24, 2025
Don’t know what’s worse, failing to defend 18 runs in the final over with 1 wkt to take, or failing to chase 9 runs in Super Over.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) February 24, 2025
Chinnaswamy has already witnessed this before. pic.twitter.com/mc3XsStOl5
— ex. capt (@thephukdi) February 24, 2025
UPW WIN. Ecclestone brilliant with the bat, even better with the ball.
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) February 24, 2025
Thank you for that nerve-wracking thriller, @RCBTweets. Well played 👏#TATAWPL | #RCBvUPW
— UP Warriorz (@UPWarriorz) February 24, 2025
Heartbreaking to lose like this! 💔
Our girls fought hard but it just wasn’t meant to be. 🥺
We promise to fight back again. Stronger together, 12th Man Army. 🫡#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #SheIsBold #WPL2025 #RCBvUPW pic.twitter.com/YKDkfheNed
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 24, 2025
UP Warriroz seal a breathtaking win over RCB in WPL’s first-ever Super Over contest.#Cricket #WPL #WPL2025 #CricketTwitter #WomenCricket pic.twitter.com/vnEhfPKuAD
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) February 24, 2025
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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
