Royal Challengers Bengaluru continued their impressive form in the WPL with a commanding eight-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals, chasing down 141 with 3.4 overs to spare. The win was powered by a clinical bowling display, led by Renuka Singh Thakur (3-23) and Georgia Wareham (3-25), followed by a stunning batting performance from captain Smriti Mandhana, who smashed 81 off 50 balls, her highest WPL score. Danielle Wyatt-Hodge (42 off 28) played a crucial supporting role in a 107-run opening stand, ensuring a comfortable chase for RCB.
Capitals Struggle After Strong Start
Opting to bat first, Delhi Capitals had a shaky start as Shafali Verma fell for a first-ball duck, chipping straight to mid-off. Jemimah Rodrigues (34) and Meg Lanning (26) tried to rebuild, adding a brisk 50-run partnership before Georgia Wareham struck, stumping Rodrigues with a clever delivery. Lanning followed suit five balls later, top-edging a short ball to fine-leg, shifting the momentum in RCB’s favor.
RCB tightened their grip after the time-out, choking the Capitals’ scoring rate as they went 22 balls without a boundary. Despite Annabel Sutherland’s six, she fell soon after, followed by the dismissals of Jess Jonassen and Marizanne Kapp, leaving Delhi reeling at 105/6. Sarah Bryce (23 off 19) fought to push the total past 150, but RCB’s bowlers wrapped up the tail efficiently, bowling Delhi out for 141 in 19.3 overs.
Mandhana Leads RCB’s Blazing Chase
RCB’s chase began in explosive fashion, with Mandhana and Wyatt-Hodge taking full advantage of the powerplay, racing to 57/0 in six overs. Mandhana dispatched Kapp for consecutive boundaries, while Wyatt-Hodge hammered Shikkha Pandey for four fours across two overs. The momentum remained with RCB as Mandhana smashed her fastest WPL fifty off just 27 balls.
Despite Wyatt-Hodge’s dismissal at 100/1, RCB never looked in trouble. Ellyse Perry survived a mix-up between Lanning and Sutherland, while Mandhana continued her assault, slamming Sutherland and Jonassen for boundaries. The skipper fell at fine-leg attempting a scoop, but with only 11 runs needed, Richa Ghosh finished in style with a four and a six, sealing RCB’s second consecutive victory in 16.2 overs.
Brief Scores:
Delhi Capitals – 141 in 19.3 overs (Jemimah Rodrigues 34, Sarah Bryce 23; Renuka Singh Thakur 3-23, Georgia Wareham 3-25)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru – 146/2 in 16.2 overs (Smriti Mandhana 81, Danielle Wyatt-Hodge 42; Shikkha Pandey 1-27)
Result: RCB won by 8 wickets.
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