The inaugural season of the WPL 2024 culminated in a night of celebration for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) as they defeated the Delhi Capitals (DC) by a commanding 8 wickets in a one-sided final at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. This victory marks a momentous occasion for the RCB franchise, finally ending their 16-year trophy drought across both men’s and women’s leagues.
DC’s Early Spark Fizzles Out Under RCB’s Spin Web
Delhi Capitals got off to a promising start, with the explosive Shafali Verma leading the charge. The young opener struck a six and two fours in the very first over, showcasing her fearless batting. However, the tide turned dramatically in the second over, with Sophie Molineux dismissing Jemimah Rodrigues and the in-form Verma quickly. This double-wicket blow put the brakes on DC’s momentum, and they never truly recovered.
The RCB spinners continued to weave their magic, with the experienced left-arm spinner Radha Yadav and the young leggie Shreyanka Patil proving particularly effective. Yadav, known for her deceptive flight and variations, picked up the crucial wickets of skipper Meg Lanning and the dangerous Taniya Bhatia. Meanwhile, Patil showcased her sharp googly bowling, bamboozling the DC middle order and finishing with a career-best spell of 4/21.
The rest of the Delhi batting crumbled under the pressure, with only Richa Ghosh (17) reaching double digits. DC was eventually bundled out for a meagre 113 runs in 19.1 overs, leaving RCB with a relatively straightforward chase.
Clinical Batting Display from RCB Takes Them to WPL 2024 Glory
Chasing a modest target, RCB openers Smriti Mandhana and youngster Alice Capsey started cautiously. While Mandhana played her usual composed innings, Capsey surprised everyone with her maturity, anchoring the chase with a well-paced 32. The turning point came in the 11th over when Molineux, promoted up the order as a pinch-hitter, smashed a six and a four off Rajeshwari Gayakwad, taking the pressure off the chase.
The experienced Ellyse Perry joined Capsey at the crease and continued the momentum with a fluent 27-run knock. After the dismissal of both openers, Richa Ghosh, known for her finishing prowess, took centre stage. She played a composed cameo, ensuring RCB crossed the finish line comfortably with 8 wickets and 33 balls to spare. The winning runs came off Ghosh’s bat, a well-timed lofted drive over extra cover that sealed RCB’s historic victory.
The architects of RCB’s win were undoubtedly their spinners. Molineux (3/20) and Patil (4/21) shared seven wickets between them, completely dismantling the DC batting line-up. Yadav (1/17) also played a crucial role, providing tight control and picking up a key wicket. This dominant performance from the spin trio highlighted the importance of adaptability on turning pitches, a skill RCB mastered throughout the tournament.
This victory marks a significant milestone for the RCB franchise. Despite boasting some of the biggest names in cricket over the years, they had never managed to win a major trophy, a fact that often overshadowed their consistent performances. However, the WPL triumph has finally broken the curse and brought immense joy to the passionate RCB fanbase.
Quotes
- Ellyse Perry (RCB Player of the Match): “This feels absolutely incredible. We’ve worked so hard throughout the tournament, and to come out here and perform like this in the final is a dream come true. The spinners were outstanding today, and credit to them for setting the tone for the win.”
- Smriti Mandhana (RCB Captain): “This is a historic moment for RCB. We’ve been chasing this trophy for a long time, and it’s finally sunk in. The girls showed great composure today, and I’m incredibly proud of every one of them.”
- Jemimah Rodrigues (DC Captain): “We’re obviously disappointed with the way things went tonight. Our batting let us down, and we couldn’t put up a competitive total. But credit to RCB, they played some fantastic cricket.”
The WPL 2024 final was a night to remember, etching a new chapter in the history of women’s cricket. RCB’s comprehensive victory not only brought them their first-ever title but also marked a significant milestone for the WPL 2024. With a growing fanbase, rising young stars, and a renewed focus on spin bowling, the future of the WPL appears bright. The stage is set for an even more exciting and competitive season in the years to come.