Uncover the thrilling details of WPL 2025, where Sophie Ecclestone’s outstanding skills secured a Super Over victory for Warriorz. Don’t miss the highlights!
Introduction:
In a high-drama-filled night, last-minute heroism, and edge-of-the-seat thrill, Sophie Ecclestone wrote herself into Women’s Premier League (WPL) history, leading UP Warriorz to a stunning Super Over win over Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
In front of a sell-out crowd of more than 28,000 spectators, UP Warriorz completed the impossible — converting an almost certain loss to a breathtaking triumph. From the unbelievable last-over batting by Ecclestone to her calm-as-a-calm Super Over bowling, it was an individual masterclass that sent RCB in a state of shock and set Warriorz playoff aspirations soaring. See also: Ellyse Perry Shines, But MI Steals the Show
Ellyse Perry Rocks RCB with a Breathtaking 90*
The night looked set to be RCB’s until Sophie Ecclestone turned the table around. The game was RCB’s due mainly to the brilliant 90* by Ellyse Perry from 56 balls — an innings that combined elegance, fire, and carefully assessed risk-taking.
Missing Smriti Mandhana early — again falling to off-spin for the 11th time in the WPL — might have disappointed, but Perry asserted herself. Her message was unmistakable as she greeted Ecclestone with back-to-back boundaries, a stunning step-out to bisect cover and mid-off included. See also: Jess Jonassen Star as Delhi Capitals Demolish Gujarat
Perry’s proficiency increased as she destroyed Georgia Wareham and Saima Thakor for boundaries, employing her signature timing and placement. Coming together with Danni Wyatt-Hodge for a crucial 94-run partnership, Perry established a strong platform for RCB, crossing the 200-run mark in all the first three WPLs and surpassing Meg Lanning as the highest scorer in the tournament.
Danni Wyatt-Hodge Provides Firepower
Wyatt-Hodge, exchanged from Warriorz to RCB ahead of the season, came back to trouble her previous group with a deliberate 50 from 36 balls. Her scope of shots was on the entire presentation — from cuts to hard-hitting drives — as she took the Warriorz’ bowling to shreds in the center overs.
However, her dismissal set off a mini-collapse. Richa Ghosh and Kanika Ahuja went cheaply, but Perry ensured that RCB was on course, thrashing Deepti Sharma to the cleaners with a 4, 6, 4, 2 combination in the last one over. Even Ecclestone’s dazzling last over that featured pinpoint yorkers to prevent Perry from reaching a century could not stop RCB from ending with a dominating 178 for 5.
Warriorz’s Chase: Ecclestone’s Miracle and Henry’s Power-Hitting
The UP Warriorz’s pursuit began falteringly. Kiran Navgire was menacing, hitting 24 off 12 with her stand-and-deliver game, but she fell attempting to slog Renuka Singh. Vrinda Dinesh’s poor touch continued as she was out for 14, and when Sneh Rana — in for injured Shreyanka Patil — picked up two wickets in two overs, Warriorz were 125 for 7, facing an almost impossible job.
Shweta Sehrawat infused instant hope with a rapid 31, but once Chinelle Henry, who smashed a jaw-dropping 62 off 23 balls against Delhi Capitals in the last game, chopped onto her stumps on the 17th over, Warriorz had to wish for a miracle.
Ecclestone’s Final Over Blitz
With 42 required off 18 balls and two wickets in hand, Ecclestone, who was crawling at 3 off 8 balls, mounted a brazen counter-attack. Smashing Georgia Wareham for two huge sixes in the 18th over, she re-ignited Warriorz’s hopes.
Saima Thakor’s 19th over dismissal left Ecclestone alone as the remaining batter. Against Renuka Singh with 18 required from the last over, Ecclestone went out of her mind — hitting 6, 6, 4, 1 in four deliveries — bringing the equation to 1 off 1. But cricket is a dramatic sport.
Kranti Goud, on strike for the final delivery, missed the ball, and as the batters scrambled for a single, Richa Ghosh channelled her inner MS Dhoni — sprinting to the stumps and whipping the bails off before the bat crossed the crease.
It was the first Super Over in WPL history.
The Super Over: Ecclestone Delivers the Knockout Blow
Warriorz Set a Target
Kim Garth, who had set Henry aside early in the innings with a cleverer slower ball, bowled RCB’s Super Over. Although she was nervous, she did well to hold Warriorz down to 8 runs, setting aside Henry for the third time.
For a side like RCB, filled with firepower with Mandhana and Ghosh, 9 runs looked a target of easy convenience — but Ecclestone had other plans in store.
Ecclestone’s Nerve of Steel
Bowling the Super Over herself, Ecclestone remained as cold as ice in pressure situations. Her first ball was a tight yorker, denying Mandhana a run. The subsequent three balls were perfect — wide outside off, changing pace, denying Ghosh and Mandhana the width or space to release their arms.
With four balls remaining to be scored from the last ball, Ecclestone slammed another yorker, leaving RCB reeling as Warriorz pulled off an incredible victory.
Tactical Breakdown: Warriorz’s Incredible Feat
Sophie Ecclestone’s match was the stuff of legends. Not only did she blast 17 runs from the last over of the game in regulation, but she bowled a six-run final over in RCB’s as well, stopping Perry from achieving her century. She changed gears at will — hitting hard, followed by bowling neatly — and proved to be the game-changer.
Her Super Over bowling, packed with change-ups and yorkers of absolute precision, spoke volumes about why she’s currently the No. 1 ODI and T20I bowler in the world.
RCB’s Strategic Failures
Even though Perry’s innings gave RCB an impressive total, their death bowling failed them. Renuka Singh, the bowler upon whom they leaned to bowl the final over, collapsed under pressure, missing lengths and letting Ecclestone punish her.
Moreover, RCB’s move of using Mandhana and Ghosh in the Super Over, even though the two were finding it hard to get timing towards the end of the innings, was questionable. A more in-form Perry could have been the preferred option.
What’s Next?
UP Warriorz are now on a two-game winning run and have rekindled their hopes of making the playoffs. With Ecclestone in top form, they will try to continue the momentum in their next games.
RCB, however, received a harsh reality check. Even with Perry’s heroics, their failure to seal out games has now threatened their playoff hopes seriously.