Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) continued their winning momentum with a commanding eight-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Defending champions RCB restricted DC to 141 before easily chasing down the target, thanks to a stellar performance from Smriti Mandhana and a disciplined bowling effort.
RCB’s Bowling Prowess Restricts DC
Despite missing key players from last season’s title-winning campaign—Sophie Molineux, Shreyanka Patil, and Asha Sobhana—RCB’s bowling unit stepped up brilliantly. Renuka Singh (3-23) and Georgia Wareham (3-25) led the charge, supported by Ekta Bisht, as they bundled out DC for a below-par total.
When Renuka struck early, DC’s innings got off to a shaky start, dismissing Shafali Verma for a golden duck. Meg Lanning struggled to find rhythm, while Jemimah Rodrigues provided some resistance with a quickfire 34 off 22 balls, including two sixes and three fours. However, once Rodrigues was stumped off Wareham’s bowling, DC’s innings unraveled. Lanning fell soon after, and despite a brief cameo from Annabel Sutherland (18 off 13), DC collapsed from 60-1 to 87-5.
Marizanne Kapp and Sarah Bryce tried to stabilize the innings, but regular wickets and tight bowling from RCB ensured DC could only manage 141. Wareham’s double strike in the 18th over and Kim Garth’s economical spell (2-19) wrapped up the innings, setting up a straightforward chase for RCB.
Mandhana and Wyatt-Hodge Seal the Chase
In response, RCB’s openers Smriti Mandhana and Danni Wyatt-Hodge put on a masterclass, stitching together their second century partnership (having previously done so for Southern Brave in The Hundred). Mandhana was in sublime touch, racing to her fastest WPL half-century off just 27 balls. She dominated the DC bowlers, particularly targeting Marizanne Kapp and Jess Jonassen, finishing with a brilliant 81 off 53 deliveries, including 10 fours and two sixes.
Wyatt-Hodge played the perfect supporting role, scoring 42 off 33 balls with seven boundaries. Her aggressive strokeplay in the powerplay, especially against Shikha Pandey, kept the scoreboard ticking. By the time she was dismissed in the 11th over, RCB needed just 35 runs from 55 balls, making the chase a formality.
Ellyse Perry (13*) and Richa Ghosh (4*) ensured there were no late hiccups, guiding RCB to victory in the 17th over. The win not only highlighted RCB’s dominance but also solidified their position at the top of the table.
Key Takeaways
- RCB’s Bowling Depth: Despite missing key players, RCB’s bowlers delivered a collective performance, with Renuka, Wareham, and Bisht sharing eight wickets.
- Mandhana’s Masterclass: Smriti Mandhana’s aggressive yet controlled innings set the tone for the chase, showcasing her ability to dominate both pace and spin.
- DC’s Struggles: Delhi Capitals’ batting lineup faltered after a decent start, with only Jemimah Rodrigues making a significant contribution.
With this victory, RCB extended their winning streak and sent a strong message to the competition. Meanwhile, DC will need to regroup quickly as they look to bounce back in their upcoming matches.
