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Nat Sciver-Brunt hit WPL’s first century as Mumbai Indians beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 15 runs. Richa Ghosh’s 90 nearly stole it, but Mumbai’s playoff hopes stay alive.
MI’s Nat Sciver-Brunt (WPL/BCCI)
Nat Sciver-Brunt lit up WPL history on Monday, smashing the league’s first-ever century because the Mumbai Indians edged the Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 15 runs in a high-octane clash on Monday.
In a must-win encounter to remain alive within the playoff race, defending champions Mumbai finally clicked into top gear, piling up a frightening 199 for 4 after being put in to bat.
At the center of all of it was Sciver-Brunt, whose unbeaten 100 off 57 balls was a masterclass in controlled aggression, timing and relentless pressure.
Early wickets couldn’t slow Mumbai down. Sciver-Brunt found an ideal partner in Hayley Matthews, and the duo tore into the RCB attack with a blistering 131-run stand for the second wicket. Matthews raced to 56 off 39 balls, peppering the boundary with nine fours, while Sciver-Brunt punished anything loose, striking 16 fours and a six to bring up a landmark hundred that shall be replayed for seasons to return.
RCB’s chase began disastrously. Mumbai’s bowlers ran riot contained in the powerplay, reducing Bengaluru to 35 for five, with Matthews (3/10) and Shabnim Ismail (2/25) doing the early damage. The competition looked all but over.
Then got here Richa Ghosh.
The RCB wicketkeeper produced a shocking counterattack, blasting 90 off 50 balls with 10 fours and 6 towering sixes, dragging her side back from the brink and briefly threatening an improbable heist. She mauled 43 runs off the ultimate two overs, including three consecutive sixes off Amanjot Kaur, sending nerves jangling within the Mumbai camp.
But Mumbai held firm. Ghosh finally ran out of partners, and despite her heroics, RCB finished on 184 for 9, falling just short.
The win lifts Mumbai to second place with six points from seven games, boosted by a superior net run rate over Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Giants.
More importantly, it keeps their title defence alive — powered by an evening that belonged unmistakably to Nat Sciver-Brunt.
(with PTI inputs)
January 26, 2026, 23:37 IST
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