Hayley Matthews dazzles with bat and ball as Mumbai Indians crush Royal Challengers Bangalore

Matthews made a rapid unbeaten 77 and shared in an unbroken second-wicket partnership worth 114 with Nat Sciver-Brunt to propel Mumbai to a nine-wicket triumph, after RCB's top order stuttered batting first

Mumbai: Royal Challengers Bangalore 155, Mumbai Indians 159-1 - Mumbai Indians won by nine wickets

Mumbai Indians go marching on in the WPL after a resounding win over Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Hayley Matthews made a rapid unbeaten 77 and shared in an unbroken second-wicket partnership worth 114 with Nat Sciver-Brunt to propel Mumbai to a nine-wicket triumph, after RCB's top order stuttered batting first.

Bangalore slipped from 39 without loss in the fifth over to 43 for 4 in the sixth, and though the middle order battled to give a score of some substance, it still proved to be woefully short for the power-packed Indians lineup.

Having opted to bat, no RCB player managed more than 28, as Matthews claimed 3 for 28 in the first act of her player-of-the-match display. There were two wickets apiece for Amelia Kerr and Saika Ishaque, the uncapped Indian.

Hayley Matthews in action for Mumbai Indians against Royal Challengers Bangalore [screengrab/WPL]

Nat Sciver-Brunt in action for Mumbai Indians against Royal Challengers Bangalore [screengrab/WPL]

RCB were dismissed for 155, having failed to use the final eight balls of their innings. As it turned out, another 28 balls would not have been enough to post a challenging total.

Matthews belted 13 fours and a six in the chase, and together with Sciver Brunt - who made 55 not out from 29 deliveries - made light work of the task at hand. Yastika Bhatia (23) was the only batter to be dismissed.

Mumbai completed their win with 5.4 overs to spare to claim their second comprehensive victory in two games and announce themselves as a major force in the inaugural WPL.

Their net run rate after just two outings is an extraordinary +5.185.

.@MyNameIs_Hayley followed up her fine bowling performance with an unbeaten half-century and she becomes our Top Performer from the second innings 👌👌#TATAWPL | #MIvRCB | @mipaltan

Take a look at her batting summary here 🔽 pic.twitter.com/slyr7uJEAk

— Women's Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) March 6, 2023

For RCB, the story is very different. Two defeats makes the star-studded Royal Challengers' chances of reaching the post-season games considerably harder.

They will be hoping to reverse their false start against Gujarat Giants on Wednesday.

The Mumbai train will steam into their clash with Delhi Capitals on Thursday with yet more confidence.