Women’s Premier League triumph delights RCB fans

It was celebration time across the city of Bengaluru as the Royal Challengers Bangalore clinched the Women’s Premier League title after a thumping win over Delhi Capitals on Sunday.

RCB won their maiden WPL title after their spinners triggered a collapse to restrict the Capitals to just 113, setting the stage for an eight-wicket win at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.

Chasing a modest total, Bangalore started slowly and overcame the loss of openers Sophie Devine (32) and captain Smriti Mandhana (31) before Ellyse Perry (35 not out) and Richa Ghosh (17 not out) led them to victory in the final over. Delhi could have made the task a lot more challenging after captain Meg Lanning won the toss and chose to bat.

Shafali Verma (44) and Lanning (23) started well with a blistering 64-run opening stand in seven overs before Sophie Molineux (3-20) put the stops on their charge with three wickets in four balls.

From there, the Capitals completely lost their way. Sobhana Asha (2-14) and Shreyanka Patil (4-12) then chipped in with wickets at regular intervals to clean up the middle order and tail.

“It all happened relatively quickly, as it tends to do,” Lanning said of the collapse.

“Crazy things happen, and every game has been pretty close,” she added. “They deserved the win.”

RCB captain Smriti Mandhana savoured the win, saying: “I am proud of the bunch. We have been through ups and downs but they have stuck at it, and the way we have gotten past the line, it was amazing. I am not the only one who has won the trophy, the team has won. For RCB as a franchise to win, it is really, really special. I have a message for all the RCB fans, the most loyal fanbase. Nothing would have been possible without their support.”

Bangalore fans came out in force to mark what was a momentous occasion. The franchise has one of the most fervent fanbases despite having never previously lifted the trophy in the men’s IPL, finishing as runners up three times.