Mumbai Indians forced to settle for Eliminator despite RCB win

UP Warriorz await in the playoffs after MI end a two-match losing streak by overcoming Smriti Mandhana's side, whose side avoided the wooden spoon

Mumbai: Royal Challengers Bangalore 125-9, Mumbai Indians 129-6 - Mumbai Indians won by four wickets

Mumbai Indians signed off their Women's Premier League group campaign with a comfortable victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore - but it wasn't enough to secure direct passage to Sunday's final.

Delhi Capitals' five-wicket win over UP Warriorz later in the day secured top spot and direct qualification for the inaugural showcase at Bradbourne Stadium.

MI will take on the Warriorz in the Eliminator on Friday (March 24) for the right to join them.

They ended a two-match losing run to ensure they progressed to the sharp end of the competition in winning fashion.

Amelia Kerr produced a player of the match display, taking 3 for 22 and scoring an unbeaten 31 in the chase to help claim a comfortable four-wicket success.

RCB were playing for pride with their top three hopes already dashed by five defeats in their opening seven games but a respectable display ensure they avoided the wooden spoon.

^{RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana can reflect upon a difficult campaign (Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)}

Smriti Mandhana's side are much improved from their five-match losing run at the start of the tournament and made 125 for 9 from their 20 overs here.

Elysse Perry rounded off her competition - she would later take 1 for 18 with the ball - with 29.

Richa Ghosh matched her with a punchy 13-ball knock containing three fours and two sixes.

But the total was never likely to be enough and though MI lost a steady flow of wickets they were always in control of the required rate.

Yastika Bhatiq (30) continued her decent form before Kerr struck 31 from 27 deliveries.

Mandhana completed four dismissals and with an MI victory in sight took what turned out to be the final over - shipping five wides off the last ball to settle the contest with 21 deliveries left unbowled.

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