MI Bowl in First Match of Bengaluru Leg: A Comprehensive Analysis
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 has reached its much-anticipated Bengaluru leg, and the opening match in this vibrant city saw Mumbai Indians (MI) take on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). As the first match of the Bengaluru leg, it was expected to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams hoping to make an impact on the tournament standings. For MI, the challenge was clear: they needed to bowl well in the first innings and put RCB under pressure to set a manageable total.
The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, home to RCB, is known for its high-scoring matches, where batters can capitalize on the flat track and fast outfield. However, the big question was how MI’s bowlers would adapt to the conditions and ensure they contained the explosive RCB batting lineup. With a team comprising seasoned internationals and young talents, MI had their work cut out for them as they stepped onto the field with the ball in hand.
Toss and Early Decision: MI Opt to Bowl First
The match began with a crucial toss, and MI, led by the experienced Harmanpreet Kaur, won it and chose to bowl first. The decision was largely based on the belief that the pitch would offer some early assistance to the bowlers. The wicket was expected to be true, but with a bit of moisture left over from the earlier rain, the first few overs could be tricky for the batters. MI hoped that their bowlers would be able to exploit these conditions and take early wickets to put RCB on the back foot.
Harmanpreet’s decision also allowed her to use MI’s aggressive bowling attack to its full advantage. With the likes of Issy Wong, Shikha Pandey, and Hayley Matthews in their ranks, MI had a potent mix of pace and spin to challenge RCB’s batting strength. The early breakthrough would be crucial for MI, as it would allow them to build momentum and tighten the noose around RCB’s top order.
MI’s Pace Attack: Setting the Tone Early
MI’s fast bowlers, Issy Wong and Shikha Pandey, opened the bowling for the team. Wong, who had been in excellent form in the lead-up to this match, was looking to make an impact right from the outset. The conditions seemed favorable for pace, with the ball expected to swing a little early on. Wong started off with pace and aggression, hitting the deck hard. She was able to extract some bounce, making it difficult for RCB’s openers, Smriti Mandhana and Sophie Devine, to settle.
The first few overs were tightly contested. RCB’s openers were cautious but confident. Mandhana, the RCB captain, looked to rotate the strike and was patient, while Devine, known for her aggressive stroke play, was looking for an opportunity to cut loose. However, Wong and Pandey were disciplined, maintaining a tight line and length, and making the batters play at every delivery.
MI’s pacers were successful in stifling the run rate, and RCB could only manage a handful of boundaries in the first few overs. There were no major risks taken by the openers, who were waiting for the right moment to attack. MI’s bowlers kept the pressure high, with each dot ball increasing the pressure on RCB’s batters.
The First Breakthrough: Shikha Pandey Strikes
The breakthrough came in the 6th over of the match, when Shikha Pandey found the edge of Sophie Devine’s bat. Devine, after looking somewhat settled, played a defensive shot to a well-delivered delivery from Pandey, which nipped away just enough to take the outside edge. The ball was safely taken by the keeper, and RCB were 26-1.
It was an important wicket for MI, as Devine has the ability to shift gears quickly and take the game away from the opposition. Pandey, with her experience, bowled a fantastic line and length, forcing Devine into playing a shot she would have wanted to avoid. The early breakthrough put MI on top and gave them the momentum they needed.
With RCB’s most explosive batter gone, it was now up to Mandhana to lead the charge. However, MI’s bowlers were not done yet.
Hayley Matthews and Spin Control
After the early success with the pace attack, MI captain Harmanpreet Kaur turned to Hayley Matthews to provide a fresh challenge in the middle overs. Matthews, who is known for her accurate off-spin and ability to vary her pace, was brought into the attack to stifle RCB’s progress. She delivered the ball with a steady line, varying her flight and speed to keep the batters guessing.
Mandhana, at the crease, was looking for a partnership to stabilize the innings, but Matthews’ variations made it difficult for her to score freely. The spinners were particularly important in the middle overs, as they could dry up the runs and build pressure by forcing the batters to take risks.
Matthews’ spell was impressive, as she consistently bowled to a tight line, not allowing the batters to get away. Her tactics of bowling slightly flatter deliveries, mixed with the occasional flighted ball, kept RCB on the back foot. In the 9th over, Matthews almost had Mandhana, as the ball gripped the surface and beat her outside edge. Fortunately for Mandhana, it missed the stumps by a whisker, but it was clear that MI were tightening their grip on the game.
The Impact of Issy Wong and Death Over Prowess
As the game progressed, MI’s bowlers continued to apply pressure. Issy Wong returned for her second spell, and the focus shifted to the death overs, where MI would be looking to curb RCB’s power hitters from scoring freely. Wong, known for her ability to bowl yorkers and mix up her pace, was tasked with ensuring that RCB did not reach an imposing total.
Wong’s ability to bowl a variety of deliveries was a key factor in MI’s performance. She managed to keep the run rate in check during the final overs, and her ability to hit the yorker length consistently created problems for the RCB batters. Although RCB’s middle order looked to accelerate, Wong’s tactical bowling, especially in the death overs, ensured that MI kept RCB’s scoring rate under control.
In the final few overs, with RCB looking to hit out, MI continued to execute their plans effectively. The combination of pace and spin was working well, and MI were able to pick up crucial wickets in the final overs, preventing RCB from posting a mammoth total. At the end of 20 overs, RCB finished with a competitive total of 167-6, but MI’s bowlers had done an excellent job to keep the score within reach.
Conclusion: MI’s Brilliant Bowling Display
MI’s bowlers, especially Issy Wong and Shikha Pandey, were instrumental in setting the tone early on, while Hayley Matthews’ spin bowling and smart death bowling from Wong ensured that RCB were restricted to a manageable total. Despite RCB’s best efforts, MI’s disciplined and varied attack had restricted them to a score that was achievable under the right conditions.
The task now was for MI’s batters to chase down the target with poise and confidence. However, with the wickets of the powerful RCB batters in the middle overs, MI had successfully put themselves in a position to win the match. The performance of their bowlers was a testament to the depth and variety they possess, and if the chase is handled well, MI could emerge victorious in the first match of the Bengaluru leg.
The match remains finely poised, and all eyes will be on MI’s batters to see if they can finish the job their bowlers started.
