RCB Won WPL 2024 Title in a Thrilling Encounter Against Delhi Capitals
In a stunning display of cricketing prowess, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) clinched victory in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2024 title match, defeating Delhi Capitals in a thrilling contest. Led by their captain, Smriti Mandhana, RCB orchestrated a remarkable turnaround to emerge victorious over Meg Lanning's Delhi Capitals.
The Game-Changing Spin Bowling
RCB's triumph was underpinned by exceptional spin bowling, particularly by Sophie Molineux, who made a triumphant return after an injury layoff. Mandhana's strategic brilliance shone through as she marshaled her bowlers effectively, with Molineux delivering a game-changing performance. Molineux's triple-wicket over proved decisive, dismantling Delhi's batting lineup and paving the way for RCB's triumph.
Shafali Verma's Explosive Start
Initially, it seemed like it would be Delhi Capitals' night, with Shafali Verma providing a blistering start. Her aggressive batting in the powerplay propelled Delhi to a formidable position, leaving RCB on the back foot. However, Mandhana's astute captaincy came to the fore as she reintroduced Molineux into the attack, leading to a swift change in momentum.
Capitals' Batting Collapse
Delhi Capitals, despite a promising start, suffered a dramatic collapse, losing wickets in quick succession to RCB's spinners. From a commanding position of 64 for no loss, Capitals slumped to 113 all out, highlighting the effectiveness of RCB's spin-dominated bowling attack. Patil and Sobhana complemented Molineux's brilliance, ensuring Delhi's downfall and setting the stage for RCB's triumph.
The Joy of Victory
As RCB sealed the win with Richa Ghosh hitting the winning runs, jubilation erupted among the players and fans alike. Mandhana, though subdued in her celebrations, exhibited grace and sportsmanship, acknowledging the efforts of both teams. The joyous scenes at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium captured the essence of RCB's hard-fought victory.
Molineux's Redemption
For Sophie Molineux, the victory held special significance, marking her resurgence after overcoming injury setbacks. Her stellar performance throughout the tournament, culminating in a match-winning display in the final, showcased her talent and determination. Molineux's journey from adversity to triumph exemplified the spirit of resilience in sports.
Squad Lineups:
-
Royal Challengers Bangalore XI: Smriti Mandhana (c), Sophie Devine, S Meghana, Ellyse Perry, Disha Kasat, Richa Ghosh (wk), Sophie Molineux, Georgia Wareham, Shreyanka Patil, Sobhana Asha, Renuka Singh
-
Delhi Capitals XI: Meg Lanning (c), Shafali Verma, Alice Capsey, Jemimah Rodrigues, Marizanne Kapp, Jess Jonassen, Arundhati Reddy, Radha Yadav, Minnu Mani, Taniya Bhatia (wk), Shikha Pandey
Stellar Performances by Key Players
Bowling Highlights:
Sophie Molineux: With her remarkable bowling performance, Molineux played a crucial role in RCB's success, claiming three wickets.
Shreyanka Patil: Displaying exceptional skill, Patil contributed significantly to RCB's bowling attack, securing four crucial wickets.
Asha Sobhana: Sobhana's stellar bowling helped RCB maintain pressure on the opposition, claiming two important wickets.
Batting Highlights:
Smriti Mandhana: Leading from the front, Mandhana anchored RCB's innings with a composed knock of 31 runs.
Sophie Devine: Devine's aggressive batting provided momentum to RCB's innings, contributing 32 valuable runs.
Ellyse Perry: Perry's unbeaten innings of 35 runs ensured RCB's victory, guiding her team to the title.
Captains' Remarks
Meg Lanning, the captain of the Delhi Capitals, expressed dissatisfaction with their loss, admitting that they did not execute well on the day. She commended RCB for outplaying them, but she was also happy with their overall performance. Lanning emphasized the need for continuous learning and improvement. She praised the support workers and stayed upbeat despite the setback.
Smriti Mandhana, captain of the Royal Challengers Bangalore, shared her overwhelming emotions after the victory. She was proud of her team's perseverance and determination, highlighting their journey through ups and downs. Mandhana credited the management for their support and praised the loyal RCB fans for their unwavering support. She ended with a message of gratitude and determination, echoing the team's motto, "Ee Sala Cup Namdu."
Player of the Match
Sophie Molineux, awarded Player of the Match, described the final as a great and intense game. She praised the Delhi Capitals for their resilience but expressed happiness at RCB's victory. Molineux reflected on her own performance, acknowledging the need for continuous improvement. She felt honored to be chosen by RCB and expressed her excitement for the future of the competition.
Delhi Capitals Women (20 overs maximum)
| BATTING | R | B | M | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meg Lanning (c) | 23 | 23 | 46 | 3 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Shafali Verma | 44 | 27 | 31 | 2 | 3 | 162.96 |
| Jemimah Rodrigues | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Alice Capsey | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Marizanne Kapp | 8 | 16 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Jess Jonassen | 3 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 27.27 |
| Radha Yadav | 12 | 9 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 133.33 |
| Minnu Mani | 5 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 166.66 |
| Arundhati Reddy | 10 | 13 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 76.92 |
| Shikha Pandey | 5 | 5 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Taniya Bhatia † | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
Extras (w 3): 3
TOTAL: 113 (RR: 6.10)
Fall of wickets:
1-64 (Shafali Verma, 7.1 ov)
2-64 (Jemimah Rodrigues, 7.3 ov)
3-64 (Alice Capsey, 7.4 ov)
4-74 (Meg Lanning, 10.4 ov)
5-80 (Marizanne Kapp, 13.1 ov)
6-81 (Jess Jonassen, 13.3 ov)
7-87 (Minnu Mani, 14.1 ov)
8-101 (Radha Yadav, 16.2 ov)
9-113 (Arundhati Reddy, 18.2 ov)
10-113 (Taniya Bhatia, 18.3 ov)
| BOWLING | O | M | R | W | ECON | 0s | 4s | 6s | WD | NB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renuka Singh | 2 | 0 | 28 | 0 | 14.00 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Sophie Molineux | 4 | 0 | 20 | 3 | 5.00 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Ellyse Perry | 2 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 7.00 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Sophie Devine | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 9.00 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Georgia Wareham | 3 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 5.33 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Shreyanka Patil | 3.3 | 0 | 12 | 4 | 3.42 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Asha Sobhana | 3 | 0 | 14 | 2 | 4.66 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Royal Challengers Bangalore Women (T: 114 runs from 20 overs)
| BATTING | R | B | M | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smriti Mandhana (c) | 31 | 39 | 58 | 3 | 0 | 79.48 |
| Sophie Devine | 32 | 27 | 32 | 5 | 1 | 118.51 |
| Ellyse Perry | 35 | 37 | 44 | 4 | 0 | 94.59 |
| Richa Ghosh † | 17 | 14 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 121.42 |
Extras: 0
TOTAL: 115/2 (RR: 5.89)
Did not bat:
Sabbhineni Meghana, Sophie Molineux, Disha Kasat, Georgia Wareham, Shreyanka Patil, Asha Sobhana, Renuka Singh
Fall of wickets:
1-49 (Sophie Devine, 8.1 ov)
2-82 (Smriti Mandhana, 14.6 ov)
| BOWLING | O | M | R | W | ECON | 0s | 4s | 6s | WD | NB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marizanne Kapp | 4 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 5.00 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Alice Capsey | 3 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 4.33 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Shikha Pandey | 4 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 2.75 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Radha Yadav | 1 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 18.00 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Arundhati Reddy | 3.3 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 7.42 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jess Jonassen | 2 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 7.50 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Minnu Mani | 2 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 6.00 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
RCB's victory in the WPL 2024 final against Delhi Capitals signifies more than just a cricketing triumph—it's a testament to the power of teamwork, resilience, and unwavering determination. Led by Mandhana and inspired by Molineux's heroics, RCB overcame formidable odds to etch their name in the annals of cricketing history
