Nat Sciver-Brunt becomes first batter to score WPL hundred

Nat Sciver-Brunt carved her name in golden letters in WPL history by becoming the first player to score a century in the tournament. The Mumbai Indians star achieved the landmark against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara on Monday (Jan 26), ending the long wait for a three-figure score in the league. Her knock came at a crucial stage of the season with the race for playoffs heating up. Sciver-Brunt showed great composure and class, finding gaps with ease and punishing loose deliveries.

She smashed 16 fours and one six, scoring at a strike rate of 175 to complete her maiden WPL hundred. Her innings came at a crucial stage with the playoff race heating up. Sciver-Brunt also stitched a match-defining 131-run partnership with Hayley Matthews, which put MI firmly in control and powered them to a strong total of 199 for four.

Before this innings, the WPL had seen several near-misses. Georgia Voll and Sophie Devine had both been dismissed on 99, while RCB captain Smriti Mandhana had earlier fallen for 96 this season. Sciver-Brunt finally broke that barrier, giving the league its first-ever century and creating a landmark moment in its history.

This knock also strengthened her place as the leading run-scorer in WPL history. With over 1300 runs in just 35 innings, an average above 50, and a strike rate close to 145, she continues to be Mumbai’s most dependable batter across seasons.

Mumbai’s total of 199 for four put them in a strong position in a crucial game for playoff qualification. The innings reflected their clarity in planning and execution, especially in the middle and death overs.

For RCB, it was a difficult night with the ball. They struggled to control the scoring once the Sciver-Brunt and Matthews partnership took off and will look to regroup quickly as the tournament moves into its decisive phase.