Nat Sciver-Brunt delivered an unforgettable performance as Mumbai Indians (MI) secured a crucial 15-run victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), keeping their Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 playoff
hopes alive on Monday.
In a high-stakes, must-win match, the England all-rounder excelled, smashing an unbeaten 100 to record the first century in WPL history, reaffirming her status as the tournament’s most formidable batter.
WPL 2026: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Mumbai Indians – Highlights
After Sajeevan Sajana’s early dismissal in the third over, Sciver-Brunt took charge of Mumbai’s innings with exceptional poise. She and Hayley Matthews built a crucial 131-run partnership for the second wicket in just 73 balls, marked by sharp running, smart placement, and aggressive boundary-hitting. While Matthews initially played the aggressor with her 56 off 39 balls, Sciver-Brunt anchored the innings, accelerating smoothly as it progressed.
Her unbeaten hundred came off 57 deliveries, featuring 16 fours and a six, showcasing controlled aggression. She consistently found gaps with precision, punishing loose deliveries and maintaining Mumbai’s momentum. This landmark knock helped Mumbai Indians reach a formidable total of 199 for four, just out of RCB’s reach.
Sciver-Brunt’s dominance in the league is unparalleled as she is the first batter to score 300-plus runs in three different WPL editions and tops the all-time charts with 1,346 runs in the competition, boasting the most 50-plus scores. Having already won two WPL titles with Mumbai Indians and earned the Player of the Tournament award last season, being the first centurion further solidifies her legacy.
“It’s obviously a special moment to reach that milestone, but more importantly, it was about getting runs on the board for the team,” Nat Sciver-Brunt said at the end of the match.
Other Performers As MI Beat RCB
Richa Ghosh led the challenge with a whirlwind 90, as RCB scored 43 runs in the final two overs, with Indian all-rounder Amanjot Kaur conceding three consecutive sixes to Richa.
Hayley Matthews, who scored a crucial 56 and took 3/10, made significant inroads for MI. She dismissed captain Smriti Mandhana (6) and Georgia Voll (9) in the fourth over, and Radha Yadav (0) in her next over.
Shabnim Ismail, with figures of 2/25, struck early by removing Grace Harris (15) and later bowled out Gautami Naik (1) for her second wicket, in addition to taking a sharp catch in the deep to assist Matthews in dismissing Radha.
Mumbai Indians held firm to climb up to second place on the table, keeping their campaign on track.
(With inputs from Agencies)
