WPL 2024: Yastika Bhatia, Amelia Kerr shine as Mumbai Indians put on a stroke-making masterclass to thump RCB
On a day when Mumbai Indians restricted a strong Royal Challengers Bangalore batting line-up to 131/6 and then comfortably won the match, a large part of the credit must of course go to the bowlers. But the highlight of the night at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru was the exhibition of strokeplay from MI batters.
In their chase of 133, Mumbai batters hit 19 fours and three sixes for a total of 94 runs through boundaries, a whopping 70.67% of their total.
That Mumbai had four all rounders in their top five of the batting order, who bowled 14 overs between them, was another reminder of their elite core of multidimensional cricketers. Leading the side once again in the absence of Harmanpreet Kaur, Nat Sciver-Brunt rotated her bowlers around nicely to never let RCB gain any batting momentum. Only Ellyse Perry managed to cross 11 in the top six, and even she struggled for timing consistently.
Mumbai’s batting was a complete study in contrast as they hit the ground running. Yastika Bhatia, who has been refreshingly attacking in the powerplay for MI, started with a drive down the ground first ball for four. It was perhaps the least well-timed shot of the night from her. The two sixes she hit over midwicket were so well-timed that it flew off the bat, flat over the boundary ropes. A caressed punch through cover was another marvellous stroke as Yastika lived up to what the MI management has asked of her.
#TATAWPL Season 2 🤝 Spectacular fielding
Recap Shreyanka Patil’s super save near the ropes 🔥🔥#RCBvMI | @RCBTweets pic.twitter.com/fmbcgkZBnu
— Women’s Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) March 2, 2024
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“What we asked of her last season was to be aggressive and enjoy her cricket. I couldn’t speak more highly of Yastika,” head coach Charlotte Edwards had said after MI’s last match. “She is an unbelievable talent. We are seeing glimpses of what she can do. She is one of my favourite players to watch at the moment. Wonderful to see her going out there, take the game on, and I want her to enjoy it. India has a gem there I think moving forward.”
Hayley Matthews too, who had a tough outing against UP Warriorz despite scoring a half century, looked like her free-flowing self. She has one of the best back-foot attacking games in cricket, and her punches and pulls on either side of the wicket were a treat to watch as RCB’s hopes of defending a meagre total were quickly dashed by the MI openers within the powerplay.
Then came a strokeful masterclass from Amelia Kerr, stamping her authority with her footwork. The two boundaries she hit off Simran Bahadur were a lesson in placement and timing, as she threaded the needle on the heavily guarded leg side. It was fitting that she finished the match with a delightful square cut for four as Mumbai bounced back with a thumping win to move to the top of the table while correcting their Net Run Rate as well. It was a fine comeback for the defending champions after what Edwards termed their ‘worst performance in the field’ last time around. For RCB, it has been a reality check over the last two matches after a flying start.
