WPL Finals 2024: Virat Kohli was happy about the RCB women’s team winning. He even joined their celebrations through a video call before sharing a one-word story on Instagram.
For many fans, especially those who were at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi or stayed up late to watch, it was a momentous occasion. The RCB women’s victory ended 16 years of waiting and disappointment for them. Led by Smriti Mandhana, the team defeated Delhi Capitals by eight wickets in the WPL 2024 final. The stadium was filled with cheering fans as they clinched their first-ever title, both for the women’s team and for the franchise as a whole.
Once the spin duo of Shreyanka Patil, who took 4 wickets for 12 runs, and Sophie Molineux, who took 3 wickets for 20 runs, caused a collapse in the Delhi Capitals’ batting lineup, there was only one team in control. Initially, the hosts, Delhi Capitals, had a strong start with Shafali Verma and Meg Lanning putting up a partnership of 64 runs for the opening wicket. However, Molineux’s exceptional over resulted in Delhi losing all their wickets for just 49 runs.
In response, the RCB team, led by their captain Mandhana, along with contributions from Sophie Devine and Ellyse Perry, managed to chase down the target. Mandhana scored 31 runs, Devine scored 32 runs, and Perry remained unbeaten with 35 runs. With their collective efforts, RCB completed the chase with three balls to spare.
Once the spin duo of Shreyanka Patil, who took 4 wickets for 12 runs, and Sophie Molineux, who took 3 wickets for 20 runs, caused a collapse in the Delhi Capitals’ batting lineup, there was only one team in control. Initially, the hosts, Delhi Capitals, had a strong start with Shafali Verma and Meg Lanning putting up a partnership of 64 runs for the opening wicket. However, Molineux’s exceptional over resulted in Delhi losing all their wickets for just 49 runs.
In response, the RCB team, led by their captain Mandhana, along with contributions from Sophie Devine and Ellyse Perry, managed to chase down the target. Mandhana scored 31 runs, Devine scored 32 runs, and Perry remained unbeaten with 35 runs. With their collective efforts, RCB completed the chase with three balls to spare.
Following RCB’s first-ever WPL title win, former India cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag praised the team. Tendulkar tweeted, “Congratulations to the RCB women’s team for winning the WPL title. Women’s cricket in India is growing stronger,” while Sehwag wrote, “Congratulations RCB on winning the WPL. Well played in tough situations and deserving champions.”
Congratulations to the @RCBTweets women's team for bagging the @wplt20 title. Women's cricket is well and truly on the rise in India. #TATAWPL #DCvRCB pic.twitter.com/JbbO7PbieC
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 17, 2024
For many RCB fans, it has been a long wait to see their team lift a title. The men’s team had reached the IPL final three times – in 2009, 2011, and 2016. Virat Kohli, who used to captain the team, played in all three finals, with the last one being as the skipper.
On Sunday, Kohli was really happy about the women’s team winning. He joined the celebrations at the stadium through a video call and later shared a one-word story on Instagram. It said: “Superwomen.”
Mandhana and her team’s quick win in the WPL, only on their second try, might make the RCB men’s team feel the heat. With the IPL 2024 season kicking off next week, there is added pressure on RCB. Their first match will be against defending champions Chennai Super Kings in Bengaluru on March 22nd.
