Following RCB’s failure to get the nine runs they need in the Super almost, UP Warriorz startled the crowd of almost 28,000 spectators with a thrilling thriller.
The game appeared to be going in RCB’s favor until the final two overs of ordinary time, but Sophie Ecclestone’s absurd hitting against Renuka Singh in the penultimate over—which went for 17—forced a Super Over. However, Ecclestone’s spectacular last over to deny Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh was the night’s high point as Warriorz gave their campaign a second consecutive victory.
With two wickets remaining, 42 runs must be scored off 18. With Chinelle Henry, the Warriorz’s last hope, out of the game, Ecclestone had no choice but to go for broke after stuttering to 3 off eight balls.
Ecclestone hit two sixes in a 13-run over to put Georgia Wareham on the defensive. However, it was up to Ecclestone to get most of the 18 runs they need off the last six when Saima Thakor was run out a ball in the 19th over after swinging one out of the ground.
Renuka missed her lengths frequently, and Ecclestone took her to the cleaners after hitting 17 in an incredible run of 6, 6, 4, 1. However, debutant Kranti Goud was put on strike after Ecclestone’s single off the fifth ball leaving Warriorz needing one off the final ball.
Instead of risking an underarm throw, Ghosh performed an MS Dhoni by jumping to the stumps and knocking the bails off when Goud missed and the batsmen fled. Subsequently, the WPL had its first Super Over.
