• Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated UP Warriorz and registered their first win in WPL 2023.

  • Kanika Ahuja was named Player of the Match award for her match-winning knock.

WPL 2023 [Twitter reactions]: Kanika Ahuja, bowlers help RCB beat UP Warriorz to claim maiden victory
RCB beat UP Warriorz in WPL 2023 (Image Source: WPLT20)

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) finally registered their maiden victory in the ongoing Women’s Premier League (WPL) after defeating UP Warriorz by five wickets at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday.

Chasing the paltry target of 136, RCB were in a spot of bother after losing four wickets for 60 in nine overs. Before the Warriorz could capitalise further, Kanika Ahuja stepped up for the Challengers and took the game away from UP.

Kanika smashed 46 from 30 deliveries, including eight fours and one six. She was well supported by Richa Ghosh, who stayed unbeaten on 31 off 32 balls to take the Challengers over the finish line.

Earlier, RCB bowlers exhibited top-class bowling and kept the pressure on UP from the word go. Only Grace Harris stood tall in front of RCB’s bowlers and revived her side by contributing 46 runs off just 32 balls, with the help of five fours and two sixes.

Ellyse Perry was the standout bowler for the Challengers, taking three wickets for just 16 runs in her quota of four overs. Sophie Devine also bowled well, taking 2 wickets for 23 runs as UP Warriorz were bowled out for 135 runs in 19.3 overs.

“Yeah, it was tense. We lost a couple of wickets in the 7th over, it was a bit nervous. But the way Kanika and Richa played was brilliant. Kanika in particular, really proud of her. Really excited to see her bat, the approach she has. She is a 360 degree player, who isn’t the most common in Indian cricket. Really impressed with her and the belief she has. Even when we have not been in great positions, the crowd keep chanting for us. Really happy for this loyal support base, not a lot of teams will have supporters turn up in such high numbers after losing five games,” said RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana in the post-match presentation.

Here is how Twitter reacted:

https://twitter.com/_Cricpedia/status/1636056073051463688

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CATEGORY: Royal Challengers Bangalore Twitter WPL

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