As the Royal Challengers Bangalore men’s team remains trophy-less in 16 years of the Indian Premier League, the franchise’s women’s team tasted success in only the second season of the Women’s Premier League. The Smriti Mandhana-led side defeated Delhi Capitals in the final on Sunday to clinch the elusive title. Fans understandably were ecstatic to see the franchise getting their hands on a piece of silverware. RCB’s New Zealand star Sophie Devine, however, was additionally happy as the girls managed to get the title before the boys.
In a chat after the final in New Delhi, Devine said: “Glad to win the trophy before the boys (laughs)”.
Sophie Devine said, “glad to win the trophy before the boys (laughs)”. pic.twitter.com/xOeQyPC6eW
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 17, 2024
An all-round effort from Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) led by yet another solid knock by Ellyse Perry and brilliant bowling spells from spinners Shreyanka Patil and Sophie Molineux captured their first-ever Women’s Premier League (WPL) title.
Legendary Indian batter and former skipper of RCB men’s side Virat Kohli congratulated the team through a video call. In an Instagram story, he also hailed the ‘Superwomen’ of RCB.
VIRAT KOHLI ON VIDEO CALL…!!!
– Congratulating all the RCB Players. pic.twitter.com/vbJ0JCVi6Z
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 17, 2024
Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell, Chris Gayle and Yuzvendra Chahal were some of the other cricketers to greet RCB on the historic victory.
When it comes to the match, the Delhi Capitals won the toss and elected to bat first. Openers Shafali Varma (44 in 27 balls, with two fours and three sixes) and skipper Meg Lanning (23 in 23 balls, with three fours) started off really well for the team with a quickfire 64-run opening stand.
However, Shreyanka Patil (4/12), Sophie Molineux (3/20) and Asha Sobhana (2/14) helped RCB bounce back just after the powerplay and removed Delhi batters one-by-one, triggering an unfathomable batting collapse. DC was all out for 113 in 18.3 overs.
In the chase of 114, RCB put on a 49-run opening stand, powered by Sophie Devine (32 in 27 balls, with five fours and a six). However, RCB was tested by Delhi bowlers in middle overs and skipper Smriti Mandhana (31 in 39 balls, with three fours) departed at a crucial juncture to leave RCB at 82/2 in 15 overs. However, Ellyse Perry (35* in 37 balls, with four boundaries) and Richa Ghosh (17* in 14 balls, with two fours) finished the chase with three balls left.
With ANI inputs
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