RCB defeated Delhi Capitals to clinch WPL 2024 title© AFP
Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Smriti Mandhana was ecstatic following her side’s maiden Women’s Premier League (WPL) title win on Sunday. RCB defeated Delhi Capitals by eight wickets to claim the WPL 2024 title and this was the first time that a RCB side (men’s or women’s) won a trophy. Following the victory, presenter and former Indian women’s cricket team skipper Anjum Chopra told Mandhana that she has finally won the trophy for RCB but the left-hander batter’s response won hearts. Mandhana quickly replied that that it was the team and not only her who has won the all important trophy.
“Feeling hasn’t still sunk in. Hard for me to come out with expressions. One thing I’ll say is I’m proud of the bunch. Our Bangalore leg was really good. We came to Delhi and had two tough losses,” she said.
“That’s what we spoke about that we need to step up at the right time. These tournaments are about peaking at the right time. Last year taught us a lot of things. What went wrong, what went right. Management just said this is your team, build it (your way). Thumbs up to them.”
“For RCB, it’s a lot more. I’m not the only one who won the trophy, the team has won the trophy. I’m not the person to talk about what I feel. This is in top five maybe. Obviously a World Cup would top it. Have a message for the fans – the most loyal fanbase.”
“One statement that always comes up is Ee Sala Cup Namde. Now it’s Ee Sala Cup Namdu. Kannada is not my first language but it was important to say it for the fans,” she concluded.
RCB’s spin attack weaved magic in the first innings to nullify DC’s explosive start. Sophie Molineux spearheaded the attack but the 21-year-old off-spinner Shreyanka Patil turned out to be the game-changer for RCB.
She picked up a four-wicket haul and removed the tail end within a blink of an eye to restrict DC to a sub-par total of 113. In reply, RCB comfortably chased down the target with three balls to spare and with eight wickets in hand.
(With ANI inputs)
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