WPL 2023, UPW vs RCB: Kanika Ahuja, Ellyse Perry Give Royal Challengers Bangalore Their First Win

Buoyed by Virat Kohli's pep talk pre-match, the women's outfit of Royal Challengers Bangalore continued to fight for another day as they notched their maiden five-wicket victory over UP Warriorz and a run of five consecutive defeats in the Women's Premier League in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday. After a collective show from their bowlers led by Ellyse Perry, whose 3/16 ensured UP Warriorz were bowled out for a moderate 135 in 19.3 overs, RCB sailed past the target with minimal ease. 20-year-old Kanika Ahuja played a match-winning knock of 46 off 30 balls with eight fours and one six as she put on a 60-run stand with India keeper Richa Ghosh (31 not out from 32 balls, 3x4s, 1x6s) to give RCB their first win of the tournament. In the first half of the game, Perry was magnificent with the ball for RCB despite being introduced late. The right-arm seamer halted UP Warriorz's charge when the pair of Grace Harris (46) and Deepti (22) threatened to take the game away from RCB, and also accounted for Shweta Sehrawat (6) to record figures of 4-0-16-3.

Updated: 16 Mar 2023 8:45 am

WPL 2023: RCB vs UPW | Photo: PTI/Shashank Parade

Royal Challengers Bangalore players celebrate thier victory against UP Warriorz during the Women's Premier League (WPL) T20 cricket match, in Navi Mumbai.

Royal Challengers Banglore player Richa Ghosh plays a shot against UP Warriorz during the Women's Premier League (WPL) T20 cricket match, in Navi Mumbai.

Royal Challengers Bangalore player Kanika Abuja plays a shot during the Women's Premier League (WPL) T20 cricket match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and UP Warriorz, in Navi Mumbai.

UP Warriorz bowler Deepti Sharma with teammates celebrates the wicket of Royal Challengers Bangalore player Heather Knight during the Women's Premier League (WPL) T20 cricket match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and UP Warriorz, in Navi Mumbai.

Royal Challengers Bangalore bowler Sobhana Asha celebrates the wicket of UP Warriorz player Kiran Navgire during the Women's Premier League (WPL) T20 cricket match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and UP Warriorz, in Navi Mumbai.

UP Warriorz bowler Deepti Sharma celebrates the wicket of Royal Challengers Bangalore player Smriti Mandhana during the Women's Premier League (WPL) T20 cricket match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and UP Warriorz, in Navi Mumbai.

UP Warriorz bowler Devika Vaidya celebrates the wicket of Royal Challengers Bangalore player Ellyse Perry during the Women's Premier League (WPL) T20 cricket match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and UP Warriorz, in Navi Mumbai.

Royal Challengers Bangalore bowler Ellyse Perry celebrates the wicket of UP Warriorz player Grace Harris during the Women's Premier League (WPL) T20 cricket match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and UP Warriorz, in Navi Mumbai.

Royal Challengers Bangalore bowler Ellyse Perry celebrates the wicket of UP Warriorz player Deepti Sharma during the Women's Premier League (WPL) T20 cricket match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and UP Warriorz, in Navi Mumbai.

UP Warriorz player Grace Harris plays a shot during the Women's Premier League (WPL) T20 cricket match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and UP Warriorz, in Navi Mumbai.

Royal Challengers Bangalore bowler Megan Schutt celebrates the wicket of UP Warriorz player Tahila McGrath during the Women's Premier League (WPL) T20 cricket match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and UP Warriorz, in Navi Mumbai.