WPL 2025: Smriti Mandhana Scores Impressive 81 as RCB Defeats DC by Eight Wickets

Vadodara, Feb 17 (NationPress) Skipper Smriti Mandhana dazzled the crowd at the Kotambi Stadium by scoring 81 runs off 47 balls, marking her personal best in the Women's Premier League (WPL). Her spectacular performance led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals, maintaining their unbeaten streak this season.

Following a remarkable bowling display by pacer Renuka Singh Thakur and leg-spinner Georgia Wareham, who each took three wickets, RCB restricted DC to a total of 141 runs. Mandhana and Danni Wyatt-Hodge opened the innings with a blistering 107-run partnership.

Smriti showcased her batting prowess with exceptional timing and placement, hitting ten fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 172.34. Her outstanding performance propelled RCB to the top of the points table, significantly boosting their net run rate.

In pursuit of 143 runs, Smriti began aggressively, hitting two boundaries off Marizanne Kapp and dealing effectively with Minnu Mani's off-spin. Danni also contributed with two boundaries off Shikha Pandey, including one from a mis-field.

Mandhana's explosive batting continued as she hit a six off Arundhati Reddy and helped RCB reach 57/0 at the end of the Power-play. With the dew aiding the chase, they maintained their momentum against Jess Jonassen and Annabel Sutherland.

Against Jess' left-arm spin, Smriti skillfully drove for a boundary and swiftly reached her fifty in just 27 balls. Danni was given a second chance when Jemimah Rodrigues dropped her catch.

Smriti sent a short ball from Marizanne soaring over deep mid-wicket for six, while Danni hit a boundary off a fuller delivery. The opening partnership ended when Jemimah caught Danni's catch off Arundhati.

However, Smriti remained unfazed, striking Annabel for a boundary and hitting Jess for another four and a six. Her innings concluded at 81 when she attempted a scoop but was caught by a short fine leg off Shikha's bowling. Nonetheless, it was too late for DC as Ellyse Perry and Richa Ghosh secured the chase with 22 balls remaining.

Earlier, on a slightly slower pitch, DC managed 51 runs in the first eight overs before the first time-out. The partnership between Jemimah and captain Meg Lanning added 59 runs for the second wicket, but the collapse began after their partnership ended.

Sarah Bryce scored 23 in a late effort, helping DC surpass 140, a score deemed inadequate. Renuka and Georgia received solid support from Kim Garth and Ekta Bisht, who each took two wickets.

Opting to bowl first, Renuka secured an early breakthrough, dismissing Shafali Varma for a golden duck. Despite some LBW appeals, RCB struggled to secure additional wickets initially.

Meg found her rhythm with a series of boundaries, while Jemimah ramped up the scoring with sixes and fours until she was stumped off Georgia.

DC's innings took a downturn as Meg fell to a top edge and additional wickets tumbled in quick succession. Sarah and Shikha formed a 25-run stand before falling victim to Georgia and Renuka respectively, ending DC's innings at 141.

Brief scores:

Delhi Capitals 141 in 19.3 overs (Jemimah Rodrigues 34, Sarah Bryce 23; Renuka Singh Thakur 3-23, Georgia Wareham 3-25) lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru 146/2 in 16.2 overs (Smriti Mandhana 81, Danni Wyatt-Hodge 42; Arundhati Reddy 1-25, Shikha Pandey 1-27) by eight wickets