Vadodara, Feb 5 (NationPress) The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) celebrated their second Women’s Premier League (WPL) title after defeating Delhi Capitals by six wickets at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara, this Thursday. Captain Jemimah Rodrigues led the way for DC with a top score of 57, propelling them to a total of 203/4. However, RCB achieved the highest successful chase in a WPL final, completing their innings in just 19.4 overs with remarkable confidence.

This win marked RCB as the first team to clinch the title after finishing at the top of the group stage standings and the first franchise to hold both the IPL and WPL titles simultaneously. Smriti Mandhana showcased her best WPL performance, scoring 87 runs off 41 balls, which included 12 fours and 3 sixes.

Initially, Smriti scored only six runs from her first five balls but quickly ramped up her performance, hitting boundaries with each passing over. Her innings not only made her the tournament’s leading run-scorer but also solidified her position as the backbone of RCB’s chase.

In partnership with Georgia Voll, who contributed 79 runs off 54 balls with 14 boundaries, the duo forged a significant 165-run partnership off just 92 balls. Every over during the chase featured at least one boundary, emphasizing the power of their batting.

Even though RCB encountered a slight wobble towards the end, Radha Yadav ensured they crossed the finish line with back-to-back boundaries, igniting celebrations in the dugout. Meanwhile, the DC team, appearing in their fourth consecutive final, was left lamenting missed opportunities, suffering yet another heartbreak despite posting the highest total in a WPL final.

In pursuit of 204 runs, Grace Harris made an early impact with two boundaries against Marizanne Kapp in the first over before being bowled by a delivery from Chinelle Henry that moved unexpectedly for nine runs. Smriti began her innings with a stylish off-drive for four, while Georgia opened her account with a flick and drive off Marizanne, collecting her boundaries.

Georgia continued her aggressive play, flicking Chinelle for boundaries and driving Marizanne for consecutive fours. Despite the introduction of Nandni Sharma, DC offered no respite as Georgia pulled her for four, and Smriti struck two more boundaries.

Each player took boundaries off N Sree Charani – with Georgia hitting over mid-off and Smriti placing her shots precisely through the off-side, followed by four from Minnu Mani and Shafali Verma respectively.

Smriti launched a short ball from Nandni over square leg for six and lofted Charani over long-on for four, bringing her half-century with a stunning shot over extra cover. The DC bowlers provided the lengths RCB needed, with Georgia cutting and pulling for more boundaries.

Chinelle’s return was met with a sweeping shot from Smriti that cleared the square leg boundary, followed by Georgia’s powerful pull for another boundary. Charani’s return in the 13th over saw Smriti pulling and punching off the back foot for more fours, while Georgia also contributed.

With Marizanne back in the 14th over, Smriti struck lofted drives straight down the ground. After Georgia hoisted Nandni over midwicket and Smriti lofted Minnu over mid-off, RCB was in a commanding position.

Although Georgia and Richa Ghosh fell in quick succession, Smriti’s departure for 87 after Chinelle bowled her left RCB in a precarious position. However, Radha’s consecutive boundaries off Charani sealed the victory for RCB.

Brief scores:

Delhi Capitals 203/4 in 20 overs (Jemimah Rodrigues 57, Laura Wolvaardt 44, Lizelle Lee 37, Chinelle Henry 35 not out; 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.