NEWS
Follow UsAfter five losses in a row, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are finally off the mark in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2023 with a clinical five-wicket win over UP Warriorz at the DY Patil Stadium.
Chasing 136, it took a special effort from 20-year-old Kanika Ahuja who starred with a 30-ball 46 to guide her team home with two overs to spare. Heather Knight (24) and wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh (31*) too played their part, after the bowlers led by Ellyse Perry (3 for 16) bowled Alyssa Healy's side out for 135.
Speaking of her knock, Kanika says that it was always a dream for her to win RCB a match, which is something she is delighted to have achieved.
"I wanted to win one game for RCB. One dream accomplished today," Kanika said at the post-match presentation.
"Since childhood, I've been a big hitter, I always play this way. The cricket journey was a bit tough because there aren't the best academies in Patiala, but now things are getting better. I have played in such situations while playing for Punjab, I like playing under pressure. The team is very happy now because we have got our first win, long may it continue."
RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana too praised Kanika for her superb effort. Yeah, it was tense. We lost a couple of wickets in the seventh over, it was a bit nervous. But the way Kanika and Richa [Ghosh] played was brilliant," Mandhana said.
"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."
UP Warriorz skipper Alyssa Healy admitted that her side were not up to the mark today.
"We weren't up to standard tonight and the total was under par, not good enough. The wicket was holding a bit, it was like wet clay and we got ahead of ourselves, losing three wickets in the powerplay is not great. It was spin to win, the ball was gripping and we needed wickets, we thought it would be spinners to get us those wickets," Healy said.
With this win, RCB have kept themselves in the hunt for a place in the playoffs. They will hope to continue their charge when they take on Gujarat Giants (GG) in their next game on Saturday (March 18). UP will be in action on the same day against table-toppers Mumbai Indians (MI).
