WPL: Delhi hand Bangalore their first defeat of the season

RCB Women took on DC Women at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru in the seventh 2024 Women’s Premier League match and the visitors emerged victorious to stun the massive crowd that turned up in support of Smriti Mandhana and Co.

RCB Women won the toss and elected to field first. Batting first, the Delhi Capitals displayed their skills and posted a substantial total on the scoreboard. They had a decent start, scoring 28 runs in the first five overs before captain Meg Lanning was dismissed. Shafali Verma and Alice Capsey then formed a strong 82-run stand for the second wicket. Shafali reached her fifty before being dismissed, which was followed by Jemimah Rodrigues’ falling without scoring. Capsey looked in good rhythm but missed her fifty by four runs.

Marizanne Kapp and Jess Jonassen’s late contributions boosted DC’s total, with both scoring 32 and 36 runs in just 16 balls each, helping the team reach 194. Arundhati Reddy’s quick runs were also crucial. Nadine de Klerk and Sophie Devine took two wickets each for RCB.

In pursuit of the target, RCB got off to a strong start with openers Smriti Mandhana and Devine putting on a 77-run partnership for the first wicket. Devine departed after scoring 23, and Mandhana combined with Sabbhineni Meghana for a 35-run partnership before Mandhana’s dismissal for a brilliant 74 off 43, including ten fours and three sixes.

Despite Mandhana’s impressive performance, RCB struggled after her departure and fell short in their chase, finishing at 169 and losing the game by 25 runs. Mandhana’s fifty showcased her batting prowess, but RCB could not capitalize on her efforts, losing a flurry of wickets toward the end of the tall chase.

Top Performers of the Match

Smriti Mandhana (74 of 43)

Mandhana exhibited her true batting prowess not for the first time in the tournament, achieving her first fifty in 2024. Her batting displayed elegance, class, and power as she scored 74 runs off 43 balls, including ten fours and three sixes, to keep RCB in the game. However, her efforts ultimately went in vain.

Jess Jonassen (3/21, 4 overs)

Jess Jonassen, who earlier scored 36 runs, continued her excellent form with the ball, taking three crucial wickets while conceding only 21 runs in her four-over spell, ultimately making the difference between the two teams.

What next?

Royal Challengers Bangalore Women will face Mumbai Indians on March 2 at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, while DC Women are scheduled to Gujarat Giants at the same venue on March 3.