Royal Challengers vs Warriorz: The Women’s Premier League (WPL) witnessed one of its most exhilarating encounters when UP Warriorz took on Royal Challengers Bengaluru. In a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats, Sophie Ecclestone emerged as the ultimate game-changer, showcasing her nerves of steel in critical moments. From a clutch performance with the bat to a match-winning Super Over, Ecclestone carried her team with sheer brilliance and composure.
A Super Over Showdown for the Ages
With Royal Challengers Bengaluru needing just nine runs to seal the win in the Super Over, it seemed inevitable that Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh would finish the job. However, Ecclestone had other plans. As the Warriorz strategized, she swiftly removed her pads and gloves, ready to take center stage once again. Having played a crucial role in dragging the match into the Super Over, she was determined to finish what she started.
Ecclestone’s impact on the game was undeniable. She had just bowled a sensational final over in regulation time, conceding only six runs. Before that, she had smashed Renuka Singh for two sixes and a four in the last over, ensuring the match ended in a dramatic tie. Now, with the game resting entirely on her shoulders, she stepped up to bowl the decisive Super Over.
Ecclestone’s Confidence Under Pressure
Despite the immense pressure, Ecclestone never hesitated. She took the ball without discussion, leaving no room for debate. “I don’t think there was a conversation. It was just ‘give it to me,’” Ecclestone told Star Sports. “I have a great team around me, and Jon [Lewis] knows me well. I was lucky to have people supporting me in executing my plans.”
Her approach was simple yet highly effective—deny the batters any room, keep the ball full, and attack the stumps. She executed her plan flawlessly, restricting Bengaluru’s power hitters and leading her team to a remarkable victory.
From Struggling to Dominating: Ecclestone’s Batting Heroics
Ecclestone’s influence on the game wasn’t limited to her bowling. Earlier, she found herself struggling at the crease with just 3 runs off 8 balls. However, when it mattered most, she turned the tide with a display of fearless hitting. Facing Renuka Singh in the final over, she launched a calculated assault, smashing 6, 6, and 4 in quick succession.
The first six came off a full toss, which she expertly guided over short fine leg. Anticipating a change in length, she adjusted perfectly and dispatched a short-pitched delivery over deep midwicket for another six. The final four was a masterclass in precision, slicing the ball between backward point and short third. Despite her heroics, the game was still in the balance, with two runs needed off the last two balls.
A Nail-Biting Finish and an Unlikely Partnership
With the pressure mounting, Ecclestone took a single, leaving the fate of the match to Kranti Goud, a No. 11 batter making her debut in a high-stakes scenario. The two players faced an additional challenge—they couldn’t communicate, as Ecclestone didn’t speak Hindi, and Goud didn’t understand English.
“Kranti was laughing at me because she had no idea what I was saying,” Ecclestone admitted. “I just told her to smile, try to hit the ball, and run as fast as she could.”
When Goud missed the next delivery, the duo sprinted for a desperate single, only to be denied by Ghosh, who executed a lightning-fast stumping in MS Dhoni’s trademark style. The game ended in a tie, setting the stage for the epic Super Over where Ecclestone once again took charge.
Ecclestone’s Heroics Secure a Famous Victory
When the dust settled, it was clear that Ecclestone had single-handedly turned the game around. Her lethal bowling in the final over and Super Over, combined with her clutch batting, sealed a thrilling victory for UP Warriorz. Head coach Jon Lewis praised her match-winning contributions, highlighting her ability to deliver under pressure.
“The way she executed her bowling in the end shows her class,” Lewis remarked. “It’s not easy for a left-arm spinner to bowl the 20th over and then the Super Over. She’s an incredibly valuable player who performs week in and week out.”
A Star Performer in the WPL 2025
With this performance, Sophie Ecclestone cemented her status as one of the most impactful players in WPL 2025. While the stadium full of Bengaluru supporters fell silent, Warriorz fans celebrated an unforgettable victory, all thanks to one unstoppable force—Sophie Ecclestone.
