RCB defeated Delhi Capitals to clinch the WPL 2024 title© AFP
Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Smriti Mandhana was elated after her side's maiden win in the Women's Premier League (WPL) on Sunday. RCB defeated Delhi Capitals by eight wickets to claim the WPL 2024 title and this was the first time an RCB side (men or women) had won a trophy. After the win, presenter and former Indian cricket team captain Anjum Chopra told Mandhana that she had finally won the trophy for RCB but the left-handed batsman's reaction won hearts. Mandhana was quick to reply that it was the team and not just her who won the all-important trophy.
“The feeling hasn't sunk in yet. It's difficult for me to come out with expressions. One thing I want to say is that I'm proud of the peloton. Our stage in Bangalore was really good. We came to Delhi and had two heavy defeats.” she said.
“That's what we talked about: we have to step up at the right time. These tournaments are about peaking at the right time. Last year taught us a lot. What went wrong, what went right. The management just said that this is your business.” team, build it (your way). Thumbs up to them.”
“For RCB it is much more. I am not the only one who has won the trophy, the team has won the trophy. I am not the person to talk about what I feel. This is maybe in the top five. It is clear and The World Cup would be on top of that. Have a message for the fans, the most loyal fan base.”
“One saying that always comes up is Ee Sala Cup Namde. Now it is Ee Sala Cup Namdu. Kannada is not my mother tongue but it was important to say it for the fans,” she concluded.
RCB's spin attack created magic in the first innings to negate DC's explosive start. Sophie Molineux led the attack but 21-year-old off-spinner Shreyanka Patil proved to be the game-changer for RCB.
She took a four-wicket haul and removed the end within the blink of an eye to restrict DC to an under-par total of 113. In reply, RCB comfortably chased down the target with three balls to spare and eight wickets in. hand.
(With ANI inputs)
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