'Jay Nolan Shah ne ek aur nail biter kara diya' - Fans react as Royal Challengers Bangalore win thriller against UP Warriors in WPL 2024

In the second game of the ongoing Women’s Premier League 2024 (WPL 2024), home side Royal Challengers Bangalore took on UP Warriors. The Red Army (RCB) finished fourth last year and entered the ongoing season looking to do better. On the other hand, the Yellow Army lost to finalists Delhi Capitals in the Eliminator. Meanwhile, in the game, the visitors won the toss and chose to bowl first on a used surface.

On February 23, the opening game of the tournament between the 2023 finalists, Mumbai Indians and the Capitals was played. In the last-ball thriller, the defending champions, MI won. Coming back to this game, the Royal Challengers had a poor start as Grace Harris trapped Sophie Devine for LBW. Skipper Smriti Mandhana failed to make an impact and got out in the last over of the powerplay.

At 54/3, as the wicket of Ellyse Perry fell, the likes of Richa Ghosh and Sabbineni Meghana put together 71 runs for the third wicket. While the former scored 53 off 44 balls, the wicketkeeper batter, Ghosh 62 off just 37 balls. They helped the team getting 157/6 although in the last three overs, the team failed to accelerate as they lost a few wickets.

Shobhana Asha helps Royal Challengers Bangalore win a thriller

In reply, the Warriors had a poor start as they lost their skipper Alyssa Healy to Sophie Molineux in the second over. The likes of Vrinda Dinesh and Tahlia McGrath struggled to keep the chase going and were eventually done by Shobana Asha in the ninth over. AT 49/3, the U19 T20 World Cup 2023 winner Shweta Sehrawat and Grace Harris put together 77 runs to keep the team in the game. 

However, Asha removed both batters alongside Kiran Navgire to complete her five-wicket haul. This helped them immensely despite some late-order hitting by Poonam Khemnar. Eventually, the home team ended up winning the game by two runs as Molineuz managed to defend 11 runs in the last over.

This is how Twitter reacted

This is some brilliant work by Poonam Khemnar. Such presence of mind, such confidence. She is pumped as she bloody well should be. Wareham takes her out but she's done what needs to be done. Down to Deepti Sharma and Sophie Ecclestone now. #WPL2024

— Lavanya 🎙️🎥👩🏻‍💻 (@lav_narayanan) February 24, 2024

Fifer by an RCB bowler that too in Chinnaswamy.

Take a bow Sobhana Asha 🫡#WPL2024
pic.twitter.com/klIJx7yrmJ

— Johns (@JohnyBravo183) February 24, 2024

#WPL2024

And now Chinnaswamy Stadium is also graced by a signature Ellyse Perry dive on the outfield to prevent a boundary. pic.twitter.com/sJehUjwG5M

— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) February 24, 2024

DJ plays Kantara soundtrack in the strategy break! 3 wickets in the next over. 😂

Top bowling from Asha! #WPL2024 #RCB

— Ajith Ramamurthy (@Ajith_tweets) February 24, 2024

A Last ball thriller just like Yesterday!

Here UP failed to Smash Boundary in final ball, RCB Started this Season with a Win!#WPL2024 pic.twitter.com/R07k3CR9ry

— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) February 24, 2024

Jay Shah is cooking to make WPL the best women league in sport. Two back to back nail biting games #WPL2024 pic.twitter.com/ihZQrxVMQ1

— Aditya Bhai (@Aatmanirbharboi) February 24, 2024

Conquering Chinnaswamy ❤️‍🔥

Biggest Win For The Biggest Franchise @RCBTweets #RCB #WPL2024

pic.twitter.com/oUuS6YoVSF

— Adheera (@adheeraeditz) February 24, 2024

Haven't seen Deepti finish off a chase ever, unreal consistency!!
Rcb Hold on to their nerves, love the vibe Chinnaswamy offers!#WPL2024 starts off with 2 absolutely cracker games!

— Gagan Chawla (@toecrushrzzz) February 24, 2024

Two thrilling last-ball finishes + great atmosphere at the ground. Brilliant 🙌#WPL2024

— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) February 24, 2024

The only thing RCB (both teams) have given me is BP issues!!!#WPL2024

— Jaanvi🏏 (@that_shutterbug) February 24, 2024