The inaugural season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) culminated in a dominant display by the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) as they outclassed the Delhi Capitals (DC) by a convincing eight-wicket margin in the final held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on March 17th, 2024.
Thrilling Start Gives Way to RCB Spin Magic
Electing to bat first, Delhi Capitals got off to a thrilling start. The experienced Meg Lanning, known for her elegant strokeplay, and the explosive young talent Shafali Verma looked comfortable at the crease. Lanning played some delightful drives on the off-side, while Verma unleashed her trademark six-hitting prowess, sending the ball soaring over the ropes on two occasions in the powerplay. The duo stitched together a 42-run partnership, raising the hopes of a strong Delhi total.
However, the turning point arrived in the ninth over when RCB captain Smriti Mandhana introduced the spin wizard Sophie Molineux. The left-arm spinner deceived Lanning with a sharp googly that dipped viciously, trapping her plumb in front of the wicket for a crucial breakthrough. The dismissal triggered a DC collapse. Molineux continued her magical spell, picking up the wickets of Jemimah Rodrigues, who was caught at deep square leg attempting a big hit, and the in-form Harika Vasaswani, who was trapped LBW playing across the line, in quick succession to leave Delhi reeling at 57 for 3.
RCB Pace Attack Sets the Tone, Spinners Finish the Job
While Molineux’s spell proved decisive, it’s important to acknowledge the contribution of the RCB pace attack in setting the tone for the spin domination. Renuka Singh, the young right-arm quick, bowled with pace and accuracy in her opening spell, conceding just 12 runs in her four overs and keeping the Delhi batters on their toes. The experienced pacer Jhulan Goswami, playing her likely last major tournament, provided valuable support at the other end, bowling a tight line and length. Her experience helped contain the early flow of runs and created pressure on the Delhi batters.
Shreyanka Patil Joins the Party, Delhi Restricted to Meagre Total
Shreyanka Patil, the young RCB leg-spinner, joined the party by dismissing the dangerous Pooja Vastrakar with a classical leg-break delivery that turned sharply away from the right-hander. The dismissal further hampered Delhi’s momentum. The remaining DC batters struggled to counter the RCB spin duo, succumbing to their variations and tight lines. Deepti Sharma, the lone warrior for Delhi, managed a gritty 27 runs before being trapped LBW by Molineux. The Delhi innings folded for a paltry 113 runs in 19.2 overs, leaving the RCB camp with a sense of control and a relatively straightforward chase.
Early Stumbles Don’t Deter RCB, Perry Steers Chase Home
Needing just over 11 runs per over for victory, RCB openers Smriti Mandhana and Sophie Devine started with positive intent. Mandhana, fresh off a string of elegant fifties in the tournament, looked in sublime touch, stroking boundaries with ease. Devine, known for her aggressive batting style, took a few liberties early on but managed to find the fence on a couple of occasions.
The partnership flourished, adding 43 runs before a misunderstanding resulted in Devine’s dismissal for 22 runs. Devine attempted to steal a quick single but was caught short at mid-wicket by a brilliant diving effort from the DC captain, Meg Lanning. However, the wicket did not deter RCB’s progress. The experienced all-rounder Ellyse Perry joined Mandhana at the crease.
Mandhana, Perry Partnership Provides Stability
Playing with a mix of caution and aggression, Perry ensured that RCB didn’t lose further wickets. Mandhana, after playing a crucial anchoring role, fell for a well-made 32, caught at deep mid-wicket by Shikha Pandey while trying to up the ante. The dismissal brought the in-form Richa Ghosh to the crease.
Ghosh Provides Finishing Touches, RCB Clinch WPL Title
The in-form Richa Ghosh, known for her finishing prowess, joined Perry in the middle. The duo played sensibly, rotating the strike and picking boundaries at regular intervals. The required run rate was well within reach, and the pressure shifted firmly onto the shoulders of the Delhi bowlers. Perry continued her composed knock, navigating the chase with maturity. She reached a well-deserved unbeaten 35-run knock, ensuring victory for RCB with 8 wickets and 33 balls to spare.
WPL 2024 Final: Post-Match Reactions Erupt as RCB Clinch Historic Win
The electrifying Women’s Premier League final witnessed a dominant display by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) who thrashed Delhi Capitals (DC) by eight wickets. The victory sparked a wave of reactions from players, fans, and experts alike.
Elation in the RCB Camp
- Smriti Mandhana, the captain of RCB, expressed her absolute delight with the victory. She commended the exceptional bowling performance, particularly highlighting Sophie Molineux’s contribution. Ellyse Perry’s crucial innings, coupled with Richa Ghosh’s partnership, beautifully sealed the win. She credited the victory to the team’s hard work and dedication throughout the season.
- Ellyse Perry, named the Player of the Match, described the win as a fantastic feeling, especially clinching the inaugural WPL trophy. She emphasized the collective effort of the team and highlighted Sophie’s pivotal bowling spell, along with the importance of strategic play during the chase.
- In an Instagram story, Virat Kohli, the captain of the Royal Challengers Bangalore Men’s Team, lauded the RCB Women’s Team, referring to them as “superwomen.” He expressed hopes for replicating the same success in the IPL, showcasing the shared passion for RCB across both men’s and women’s teams.
Disappointment for Delhi Capitals
- Meg Lanning, the captain of DC, expressed her disappointment with the outcome, emphasizing that the batting collapse following a promising start proved costly. She stressed the need for the team to draw lessons from this experience and return stronger in the upcoming season.
- Deepti Sharma, a player for DC, described the loss as heartbreaking despite the team’s hard-fought efforts, acknowledging their inability to accumulate sufficient runs. She extended congratulations to RCB for their deserving victory.
