In a thrilling display of cricket skills, Smriti Mandhana and her team, Royal Challengers Bangalore, executed a remarkable victory over Delhi Capitals in the Women’s Premier League match held at the Kotambi International Stadium in Vadodara. The match, played on Monday, showcased RCB's prowess as they secured an impressive eight-wicket win against last year’s finalists. This victory allowed them to cap off their Baroda leg of the tournament with two successive wins.
RCB's success in the chase of a 142-run target can be primarily attributed to a formidable opening partnership between Mandhana and Danni Wyatt-Hodge, who together accumulated 107 runs without losing a wicket. Mandhana, exhibiting her aggressive batting style, effectively dismantled the Capitals' bowling attack, entertaining the audience of around 20,000 cricket enthusiasts who had gathered to support the teams.
In a noteworthy performance, Mandhana played with intent, scoring an impressive 81 runs off just 47 deliveries. Her innings included a variety of shots that illustrated her ability to dominate the game. Wyatt-Hodge also contributed significantly to the partnership, crafting a solid 33 runs off 24 balls before falling to a delivery that allowed the fielding team to claim the first wicket. Although Mandhana could not complete the match due to a miscalculation while attempting a scoop shot off Shikha Pandey, her explosive innings proved critical in achieving the vital victory for RCB, marking the first time they had triumphed over the Capitals in the league stage.
Delhi Capitals, who batted first, faced early trouble against the RCB bowlers, specifically Renuka Singh and Georgia Wareham, who applied pressure from the outset. Renuka Singh made a significant impact early in the innings by dismissing Shafali Verma, one of the Capitals' most explosive hitters, for a golden duck. This catch set the tone for the rest of the innings, as the Capitals found themselves needing to rebuild despite losing their aggressive opener.
Jemimah Rodrigues and the captain Meg Lanning were required to stabilize the innings. Rodrigues encountered an early scare when an appeal for leg-before-wicket was declined but capitalized on her reprieve, launching an aggressive response that included powerful shots aimed at the square boundaries. Her efforts brought excitement to the match, particularly when she struck a six through a pull shot.
Despite her firepower, Rodrigues's innings came to an abrupt end due to a mistimed reverse sweep that resulted in a stumping, calibrated deftly by wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh, off the bowling of Georgia Wareham. Wareham continued her excellent form by dismissing Scottish wicketkeeper Sarah Bryce with a well-placed short ball that left Bryce stranded outside her crease, leading to another stumping by Ghosh.
Wareham's effectiveness did not stop there as she claimed another victim when Radha Yadav hit a return catch directly back to the bowler. Renuka Singh's late burst of wickets put the Capitals on the back foot, as she achieved two quick dismissals in her last two overs. The first saw Annabel Sutherland misjudging a full delivery outside off, which Mandhana comfortably caught at extra cover. In the same breath, Shikha Pandey fell prey to Singh's cunning slower delivery, which was skillfully caught by Ekta Bisht.
Ekta Bisht, featuring in her first WPL match this season, also made her mark by claiming consecutive wickets. She removed the experienced Marizanne Kapp and Jess Jonassen during her spell, both of whom were making their debuts in this year’s competition. Kim Garth added to the tally by inducing Lanning to undercut a short ball, resulting in a catch taken by Ellyse Perry at square.
The final wicket fell when Arundhati Reddy succumbed to Garth’s slower delivery, concluding a dismal chase for the Capitals, who managed to post a meager total. The collective efforts of the RCB bowlers, paired with Mandhana’s exceptional batting, heralded a spectacular evening for the Bangalore franchise, suggesting that they are firmly in contention in this edition of the Women’s Premier League. The performances highlighted both skill and strategy, reflecting the intensity and competitiveness of women’s cricket in India. RCB will be looking to carry this momentum forward, aiming for continued success as the tournament progresses.