WPL25: UPW high 'Voll'-tage game edges out RCB in a thriller even after Richa - Sneh fighback

 

Opener Georgia Voll misses out on a historical first ever WPL 100 by 1 run as UP Warriorz ends their WPL 2025 campaign with a thrilling win over RCB .

Thus defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore, led by Smriti Mandhana, have been eliminated from the Women's Premier League (WPL). After suffering their fifth consecutive defeat in the tournament, RCB was knocked out of the playoff race. The final blow came at the hands of UP Warriorz, who themselves had become the first team to be eliminated just a day earlier. UP posted a record total of 225 runs, thanks to a sensational 99-run knock by 21-year-old Georgia Voll. In response, RCB fought hard but fell short, managing only 213 runs, losing by 12 runs and bowing out of the tournament. Meanwhile, the three playoff teams have been confirmed.

Clash of the Bottom-Ranked Teams

The match in Lucknow featured the two lowest-ranked teams in the points table. UP Warriorz had already been eliminated, and their only goal was to end their season on a high note. On the other hand, RCB needed a win to stay in the playoff race. However, just like in their previous encounter, where they lost to UP in a Super Over, RCB once again fell short in a close contest. As a result, Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Giants secured their spots in the playoffs, joining Delhi Capitals, who had already qualified for the next round.

Georgia Falls Short of a Century, Kiran Destroys RCB Bowlers

Batting first, UP Warriorz got off to a flying start with their Australian opening pair of Georgia Voll and Grace Harris (39), who smashed 77 runs in just seven overs. The real carnage, however, began when Kiran Navgire took charge, destroying RCB’s bowlers with a blistering 46 off just 16 balls, including five sixes and two fours. The standout performance came from Georgia Voll, who played an unbeaten knock of 99 runs off 56 balls. She fell just one run short of her century as Deepti Sharma was run out on the last ball of the innings. Nonetheless, UP created history by posting the highest total in WPL history.

RCB needed a similar explosive start, and Sabbhineni Meghana (27) showed intent early on by hitting three boundaries in the second over. However, their skipper Smriti Mandhana’s poor form continued as she was dismissed in the third over caught by Voll at midwicket off Henry for 4 as she tried to pull . Ellyse Perry (28) also started aggressively, striking multiple boundaries to maintain RCB’s momentum, but she was bowled by a stunning inswinger from left arm pacer Anjali Sarvani. At this point, RCB’s chances started to fade.

Richa Ghosh, however, kept her team in the hunt, smashing 69 off just 33 balls, putting UP under pressure by launching a fierce onslaught. As long as Richa was at the crease, RCB had a glimmer of hope. But UP captain Deepti Sharma dismissed her at a crucial moment, bringing relief to her team. In the 18th over, RCB lost their eighth wicket, making defeat almost certain, with 43 runs needed off the last two overs.

Sneh Rana’s Heroics in Vain

Just when UP thought they had sealed the game, Sneh Rana played one of the most explosive cameos in WPL history. In the 19th over, she hammered Deepti Sharma for three sixes and two fours, collecting 28 runs—the most expensive over in WPL history. With RCB now needing only 15 runs off the last over, Rana (26 off 6 balls) looked set to pull off a miraculous win. However, she was dismissed on the last ball of the 19th over, crushing RCB’s hopes of a comeback.