Saturday would have to come via Thursday. A direct foot in isn’t to be.

This was some game. On a pitch that’s playing out like the mother of belters, an outfield that’s lightning quick, and boundaries that are pretty small, no total is ever safe. Sadly, despite a valiant fight towards the end, and a serious chance of Mumbai Indians pulling off a miracle, it wasn’t to be.

The Sajana six-hitting show

From 28 runs being needed off the last over, Sajana – with her two mighty sixes, hit just the way she can – the equation was brought down to 12 runs being needed off the last three balls. Alas, it was a bridge just beyond reach on the night, even for Sajana.

Batting re, NSB!

Chasing 200 was never going to be easy. But with a loud army of Blue and Gold supporters in the stands backing us all the way, and of course, Nat Sciver-Brunt in top form striking it cleanly, we stayed right in the fight. 69 runs | 35 balls | 9 fours | 2 sixes. She’s taken the Orange Cap and is running away with it.

Done in the death

“The last two overs we gave 40 and that cost us, apart from that we did well in the game. We saw in the last game 180 was chaseable,” said Harmanpreet Kaur at the end of the game. Although S Meghana and Smriti Mandhana got RCB off to a flier, our bowlers pulled things back beautifully in the middle-overs, refusing to let the Bengaluru batters run away with the game. However, Georgia Wareham (31 off 10) and Ellyse Perry (49 off 38) cut loose right at the end, and stretched the total to 199.

Okay, here’s a positive: Mumbai Indians have finished second on the points table. We are all set to play the Eliminator for the third consecutive year. We’re set to face the Gujarat Giants, a side we have a 6-0 win record against. It’s just the confidence booster we need. Also, here’s a stat. The team finishing at the top of the league stage has never won the title! That’s just the motivation we need. Two games. Two knockouts. One title. WPL 2025, we are coming for you!