As a franchise, the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2024 was a special one for Royal Challengers Bangalore. As a franchise, RCB are yet to win the Indian Premier League. However, the women's team created history by winning the 2024 Women's Premier League under the leadership of Smriti Mandhana. The win will undoubtedly boost the men's team's confidence as well. After RCB defeated Delhi Capitals in the final, Virat Kohli was seen celebrating the victory through a video call.
Vrat Kohli has been an ever-present in the RCB ranks since the IPL started in 2008. His happiness was evident. On Tuesday, he and other members of the RCB men's team were able to witness the presentation of 'Guard of Honour' to their female counterparts at the RCB Unbox event.
Guard of honor for the girls, the WPL CHAMPIONS #RCBUnboxpic.twitter.com/CkY9mZVndS
– RCB Xtra. (@Rcb_Xtra) March 19, 2024
Guard of honor by the RCB men's team for their women's champion. Great gesture from @RCBTweets.#RCBCampions #RCBUnbox #RCB #IPL #BharatArmy pic.twitter.com/iHZLy2bcYy
— The Bharat Army (@thebharaarmy) March 19, 2024
RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana feels it is not right for people to undermine Virat Kohli's performance for the Bengaluru franchise in the wake of her side's title win in the Women's Premier League recently.
Mandhana-led RCB defeated Delhi Capitals to lift the WPL trophy in just their second year, while their male counterparts, who were led by the charismatic Kohli for almost a decade before he resigned, have not had success in the 16 year of IPL.
“The title is one thing, but what he (Kohli) has achieved for India is remarkable. So I don't think that comparison is right when it comes to where my career is and what he has already achieved,” Mandhana told the media. on Tuesday.
“The reason why I don't like the comparison is that what he has achieved is great; he has been an inspiring person. A title doesn't define many things; we all respect him and I feel like the respect should be good. ” there for Virat. So there is nothing else but me,” the India vice-captain said.
Both Mandhana and Kohli are wearing No. 18 jerseys and the left-handed batsman said the comparison between the two was not justified on that basis.
“I wouldn't call it an 18 equation. The jersey number is just a personal choice; my date of birth is 18th and I have 18 on my back… it doesn't determine how he plays or (how) I play my cricket.” He has been an inspiration to us in many ways, so I wouldn't say the title should define anything,” she added.
Mandhana felt that the men's counterparts had always played good competitive cricket but an IPL title had eluded them.
“I think, to be fair, the men's team has also played good cricket over the last 16 years; it's not that they haven't played well. I don't think the comparison is right. RCB is a franchise; let's keep the men – and women's teams separately because we don't want to be compared with each other.
“They are good at what they do. We are good at what we do,” she added.
With PTI inputs
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