RCB Women vs MI Women, 19th Match at Navi Mumbai, WPL, Mar 21 2023 - Match Result

7:26pm Right. That will be a wrap from us for this game. Until next time, this is me (Shashwat) signing off one behalf of Ranjith, Thilak and everyone at ESPNcricinfo! Goodbye and take care!

Smriti Mandhana, Royal Challengers Bangalore captain: (On her bowling) We tried to fight till the 13th or 14th over. We had a little bit of a chat that whoever goes for a boundary, will have a shout today so they pointed at me and asked me to bowl. One of those days as a fielder where whichever ball was hit into the air comes to you. Happy that I could take those catches. (On what went wrong this season) We have a great team and we have a really balanced side. I think the way we started, it did not go our way. My performance with the bat was also below par and I will take a bit of the blame. In the last two matches, we did that (clicking together) very well. We will work hard on our combinations and come back strong next year. (On the youngsters) We have found really amazing youngsters in the form of Kanika and Shreyanka. The way they have showed their fearlessness was pleasing as a captain. Asha bowled pretty well too.

6:52pm So, it is time to get your calculators out. MI, courtesy of this win, sit at the top of the points table but they could be usurped by DC, provided, of course, the latter wins their game against the UP Warriorz.

There is one other factor that complicates things. Let's say DC bat first and they score 140, they will have to win by at least four runs to ensure that they remain above MI in the points table. A lesser margin of victory and MI will finish as table-toppers. A win for the Warriorz would mean that DC and the Warriorz finish on 10 points, with the pair playing the Eliminator against each other on Friday.

6:42pm A fairly routine win for MI in the end, and this win has taken them to the top of the table, for now. Matthews batted with intent at the start, as did Yastika. Post the powerplay and once both were dismissed, MI found it tough. Well, until Kerr and Vastrakar joined hands and brought them to the cusp of victory. Kerr, in particular, looked composed at the crease and barely broke into a sweat, masterminding what could have been a tricky run-chase.

As for RCB, well, they would be ruing their inability to put enough runs on the board. The pitch provided assistance to the spinners throughout and had they had 15-20 more runs on the board, they could have been in with more than a shout. That, in a microcosm, is how their campaign has transpired. Lots of missed opportunities, and a sinking feeling of what could have been.

Just two runs needed now

A slight clarification on the NRR scenarios. It seemed that DC just had to win their game to finish top. But Rajesh tells me that if MI polish off this run-chase in 16.3 overs, and DC score 120 and win by just one run, MI would finish at the top of the table. Of course, lots of permutations involved but it looks like MI still have a chance, even if DC win against the UP Warriorz

Six to win now. Wong is the new batter at the crease. Can she finish it off with one strike?

Kanika to try her luck now

For those of you asking, DC now only need to win their final group fixture to finish at the top of the table, and earn a direct route into the final