WPL: Brunt’s explosive century keeps MI playoff hopes alive with win over RCB

Vadodara (The Uttam Hindu): Mumbai Indians (MI) kept their playoff hopes alive by defeating Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by 15 runs in the 16th match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026, played on Monday at the BCA Stadium. The win was powered by a brilliant century from Nat Sciver-Brunt.

RCB, who became the first team to qualify for the playoffs after winning five consecutive matches, have now suffered two back-to-back defeats. Along with Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Giants have also won three matches each. UP Warriors are placed fifth with two wins from six matches. All four teams are still in contention for a playoff spot.

After losing the toss, MI batted first and posted a strong total of 199 for 4. The team lost opener Sajeevan Sajna early at a score of 16. Nat Sciver-Brunt then steadied the innings with Hayley Matthews, adding 131 runs in 73 balls to take the score to 147.

Matthews scored 56 runs off 39 balls with nine fours before getting out. Brunt then added 42 runs for the third wicket with captain Harmanpreet Kaur, guiding MI to a big total. Brunt remained unbeaten on 100 off 57 balls, hitting one six and 16 fours, while Kaur scored 20 runs off 12 balls. For RCB, Lauren Bell picked up two wickets for 21 runs, while Nadine de Klerk and Shreyanka Patil took one wicket each.

Chasing 200, RCB were in trouble early, losing five wickets for just 35 runs in 5.1 overs. Nadine de Klerk and Richa Ghosh then added 42 runs off 36 balls to stabilize the innings. De Klerk scored 28 runs off 20 balls with four boundaries before getting out.

Ghosh later shared a 52-run partnership for the seventh wicket with Arundhati Reddy, keeping RCB in the contest. Although MI looked set for a big win, Ghosh and Shreyanka Patil added 55 runs in just 18 balls, reducing the margin of defeat.

Richa Ghosh played a fighting knock of 90 runs off 50 balls, smashing six sixes and ten fours, while Patil scored 12 runs off five balls. For MI, Hayley Matthews was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Shabnim Ismail and Amelia Kerr claimed two wickets each. Amanjot Kaur took one wicket.