Young off-spinner Shreyanka Patil and uncapped veteran leg-spinner Asha Sobhana confirmed nerves of metal to take Royal Challengers Bangalore into WPL remaining with a five-run victory over defending champions Mumbai Indians within the ‘Eliminator’ on Friday. Chasing a straightforward goal of 136 and needing 20 off final three overs, MI’s innings ended at 130 for six. RCB, who entered their maiden remaining within the second version, will meet final 12 months’s runner-up Delhi Capitals within the summit conflict on Sunday. It was 21-year-old Shreyanka (2/16 in 4 overs), whose important 18th over raised visions of victory as she eliminated the MI skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (33).

RCB keeper Richa Ghosh paid the value for her sluggish actions failing to stump Harmanpreet off Shreyanka however the younger off-spinner did not lose coronary heart as she flighted the ball as soon as extra and the Indian skipper was caught at long-on fence.

At a time when spinners are afraid of giving the ball air even in ODIs, Shreyanka’s strategy was a welcome departure and it did pay dividends.

Needing 16 off 12 balls, the skilled Aussie Sophie Molineux (1/16 in 4 overs) bowled an excellent penultimate over during which she gave solely 4 runs holding 12 runs off remaining over for leg-spinner Sobhana to defend.

The 32-year-old spinner, who hasn’t performed for India, gave away solely six runs as RCB staff’s pleasure knew no bounds with Indian vice-captain Mandhana outwitting her nationwide staff boss Harmanpreet tactically within the dying overs.

Shreyanka additionally confirmed braveness in Powerplay as she challenged the seasoned Hayley Matthews (15 off 14 balls) to clear the longest boundary in the direction of deep mid-wicket fence solely to be caught a toes contained in the ropes.

Yastika Bhatia (19 off 27 balls) did not actually get going and Perry, who’s having a dream run, bowled an angular supply which the batter performed throughout to be clear bowled.

Nat Sciver-Brunt appeared in good contact with 4 boundaries, two of which got here back-to-back off leg-spinner Georgia Wareham’s supply earlier than she delivered a flipper and rushed the batter, who was bowled via the gate.

Skipper Harmanpreet used the sweep shot effectively, dispatching Sobhana for consecutive boundaries.

Earlier, Ellyse Perry stood tall amid ruins with one more elegant knock however Royal Challengers Bangalore may solely handle a below-par 135 for six which proved to be sufficient ultimately.

Perry’s 66 off 50 balls was the cornerstone of RCB’s complete after their top-order was blown away by a disciplined MI assault, lowering them to 24 for 3 contained in the 4 overs of Powerplay.

Hayley Matthews (2/18 in 4 overs) bowled a flighted off-break that breached veteran Sophie Devine’s defence to attract the primary blood.

Skipper Smriti Mandhana (10) was holed out within the deep cowl area off a Nat Sciver-Brunt supply that stopped a bit on the southpaw and Disha Kasat (0), who merely did not get going, was caught by Pooja Vastrakar contained in the 30 yard circle off left-arm spinner Saika Ishaque (2/18 in 4 overs).

Richa Ghosh hit a six however it wasn’t her day as Matthews barely altered the size and the keeper-batter mistimed after failing to succeed in to the pitch of the supply.

Perry was, nevertheless, at her fashionable finest with some crisp boundaries and a straight six off Saika however the most effective shot was the late reduce bisecting the purpose and quick third-man off Shabnim Ismail’s supply.

Perry by no means had anybody supporting her for a prolonged interval and wickets falling at common interval did additionally made her considered in shot choice.

Towards the tip, Georgia Wareham (18 not out off 10 balls) used the lengthy deal with to good impact and hit a final ball six off Saika to take the staff previous 130-run mark.

Saika paid the value for Sajeevan Sajana’s poor effort within the deep as she dropped a sitter supplied by Wareham. The poor fielding commonplace of WPL continues to be an issue.