Vadodara, Feb 5 (NationPress) The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secured their second title in the Women’s Premier League by defeating the Delhi Capitals by six wickets at the BCA Stadium, Kotambi in Vadodara this Thursday. With captain Jemimah Rodrigues leading the charge with a top score of 57, DC set a formidable total of 203/4. RCB, however, completed the highest successful chase in a WPL final in just 19.4 overs with remarkable ease.

This victory marks RCB as the first team to win the title after finishing at the top of the group stage. They also became the first franchise to simultaneously hold both the IPL and WPL titles. Captain Smriti Mandhana showcased her exceptional skills with a stunning innings of 87 from just 41 balls, featuring 12 fours and three sixes.

Despite a slow start, scoring only six runs from her first five balls, Smriti found her rhythm, smashing boundaries almost every over. Her performance crowned her as the tournament’s leading run-scorer, establishing her as the backbone of RCB’s powerful chase.

Smriti and Georgia Voll formed a crucial 165-run partnership off just 92 balls, with Georgia contributing a brilliant 79 runs from 54 balls, adorned with 14 boundaries. Their batting display was so commanding that every over featured at least one boundary, highlighting their dominance.

Even though there was a slight hiccup towards the end due to DC’s pace-off deliveries, Radha Yadav ensured RCB crossed the finish line with a flurry of boundaries, igniting celebration in the dugout. The DC team, making its fourth consecutive final appearance, was on the receiving end of a masterclass performance from Smriti and Georgia, suffering yet another disappointing defeat, despite posting the highest first innings total in WPL final history.

Chasing a target of 204, Grace Harris initially struck two boundaries against Marizanne Kapp in the first over but was dismissed by Chinelle Henry for nine runs. Smriti began her innings with a stylish off-drive for four, while Georgia opened her scoring with a flick and drive against Marizanne.

Georgia maintained her aggressive strokeplay by flicking Chinelle through midwicket and scooping over short fine leg for boundaries, before cutting and driving Marizanne for back-to-back fours. Nandni Sharma's introduction brought no relief for DC, as Georgia continued to pile on the pressure.

Smriti launched a short ball from Nandni over square leg for six before lofting Charani for a four. After Georgia reached her fifty, Smriti brought up her own half-century with a magnificent shot over extra cover. DC’s bowlers provided the lengths RCB capitalized on, as Georgia and Smriti continued to dominate the field.

Though Georgia and Richa Ghosh fell in quick succession, Smriti’s dismissal for 87 left RCB in a tricky spot. However, Radha’s consecutive boundaries off Charani confirmed RCB's trophy win.

Earlier, after a solid start from Lizelle Lee and Shafali Verma, Jemimah took control with a dazzling 57, showcasing her remarkable timing. Laura Wolvaardt added a useful 44, while Chinelle played a blistering cameo of 35 runs off just 15 deliveries, propelling Delhi past the 200-run benchmark.

Despite a commendable performance from RCB’s Lauren Bell, who took 0-19 in four overs, the rest of the bowling attack struggled. DC started slowly, scoring only nine runs in the first three overs before Lizelle unleashed a barrage of boundaries, setting the tone for a strong batting display. Shafali's early dismissal for 20 was a setback, but Lizelle continued her attack until she was out for 37.

With Jemimah displaying her skill, Laura kept the scoreboard moving, leading to a pivotal 12th over where Jemimah showcased her full range. Ultimately, DC's late assault in the death overs set RCB a daunting target, which they accomplished effortlessly.

Brief Scores: Delhi Capitals 203/4 in 20 overs (Jemimah Rodrigues 57, Laura Wolvaardt 44; Arundhati Reddy 1-40, Sayali Satghare 1-46) lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru 204/4 in 19.4 overs (Smriti Mandhana 87, Georgia Voll 79; Chinelle Henry 2-34, Minnu Mani 1-19) by six wickets.