UPW Women vs RCB Women, 18th Match at Lucknow, WPL, Mar 08 2025 - Ball by Ball Commentary

That's all we have for you from Lucknow tonight. The WPL 2025 caravan moves to Mumbai for the last four matches. That will happen after a day's break - for the men's Champions Trophy final. Do join us for the rest of the tournament. For tonight, on behalf of Thilak and Shashank, I, Sudarshanan, am bidding you goodbye! Ciao, folks!

10:57pm What a game. What a finish. RCB were down and out. But Rana's unfetted swing gave them a glimmer of hope. It turned into disappointment. It was Ghosh's brilliance first and then Rana's cameo that kept RCB in the hunt. Otherwise, 226 was always a tall mountain to climb. The highest aggregate in a WPL game ends in both the sides getting knocked out and confirming the teams that qualify to the playoffs - DC, GG, MI. Once the bowlers gave away 225, the highest total in the WPL thanks to Voll's 99 not out, RCB were fighting a losing battle. That they managed to get this close would mean they could look back at it as a season of what-ifs.

Smriti Mandhana, RCB captain: "They batted positively from the first ball. Last game of the season they come out in a different mood. We pulled off quite well in the last three-four overs. But credit to Voll. The way we started, we thought it is going to be a good season. Last five games, we couldn't live up to expectations we had from ourselves. Played good cricket in patches. Lost a lot of moments in games that cost us. Bit loss to lose out top three wicket-takers from last season. Replacements were good, the way we started, thought we could take the momentum. You think something, happens differently in franchise cricket. The way Richa batted today, really happy for Rana - had a tough few years, but did well as a replacement."

Grace Harris passes the Orange Cap to Ellyse Perry before having a word with the broadcaster: "We saved our best for the last. Great to experience UP crowds and UP in general. Love my time in India. Don't know if I get a chance next year, but will be happy to come back. We just came out and identified that we struggled with our middle order. Weren't able to keep up after losing wickets. Voll was outstanding, joy to watch. After wickets, batted well and kept attacking. A good surface to do it on. We didn't have the middle order collapse we had for the last seven games. Batted on two-three different wickets. Against MI felt it was not a flat deck. Tonight it was sliding on. If you win the toss, you bowl first because dew does come in. Not different from what you expect from India, but much better crowd. The wicket was flatter and was true for the batters. The other night it was a good wicket but made an even contest. Invaluable. Fantastic experience for international and domestic players to experience subcontinent players. Have learnt a lot over the competition about Deepti Sharma's game in particular. Vital for the women's game in world cricket. UP Warriorz do well where we give local players a good crack to showcase their skills by often batting them in key positions. Vital to make sure women's cricket thrive."

Deepti Sharma, UPW captain: "T20 game always is close. We were thinking that we had to be on our toes. It is a team effort, everyone clicked. These conditions I have encountered before. If we scored runs, they could also score. But I focused on my stock balls and variations. The aim was to provide breakthroughs. We have been talking that we are getting starts but the middle order was not clicking. Today everyone showed characters. Voll hit back to back fifties, Grace and Kiran also contributed. When you win, everything looks positive but I am happy with the team. As a captain, I am disappointed we are not qualifying. We played the way we always wanted to today. Women's Day has been memorable for us, hope we get this pink colour from next season."

Georgia Voll, Player of the Match: "Been cool. Getting here just a week ago, a lot has happened. Great experience, great to know the girls. Prepared it like any other game. Had one session using the wickets before. Been a great experience to come out and help the team put good totals. Got a win today after a disappointing season. Probably think bat at where you could have found the extra run or two. Overall happy to get above 200 and defend it. Have been sitting in those positions in the last couple of games, nothing came my way."

13 off 4

15 off 6, Garth on strike, Voll into the attack

Habeeb: "UP and RCB are known for Thrillers!!!"

Free hit for Rana ji. Did she need an official one? 21 off 8, field cannot change

Stops after getting to her bowling crease and spots Garth walking out of the crease. Does not run her out but has a quiet word with the umpire

Deepti taking time to get her field right, over the wicket now

Hari Narayan: "@Pat I feel they have missed Sophie Molinuex. The role she offers as a floater and her bowling abilities"

Sneh Rana the batter

Pat: "Mandana's form has been the key difference between this season and last for RCB. RCB would have easily qualified if she could have replicated that. " They also missed having someone like Devine in their line-up

Kim Garth in now, this is ending quickly for RCB

Ecclestone now, 52 off 18 needed. To Dean, who dismissed her

Krishna: "After seeing the cricinfo commentary, switched over to live TV to see Ghosh batting and she gets out." You da man!!

Charlie Dean

Shane: "Harris will bowl one I presume." Does she need to?

Here is Deepti

Four overs left. Expect Deepti to bowl two of those? And Ecclestone one. So one of Goud or Sarvani will have to bowl at the death

RCB had needed just 40 off 24 against GG in the season-opener, tonight they need 57. Can Ghosh do it for them?

Raji: "Richa and Shafali are inspiring young talents, showing them that they have the power and are fearless. Even when they fail, these tournaments are helping them grow."