WPL Review: Smriti, Danni & Renuka power Bengaluru to their second win

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women emerged victorious by an emphatic eight-wicket margin with 22 deliveries to spare in Match 4 of the 2025 edition of the Women’s Premier League against Delhi Capitals Women.

Opting to field first for the second game in a row, Bengaluru was off to a flying start with Renuka Singh getting rid of Shafali Verma for a golden duck. The remainder of the powerplay belonged to the Capitals even as Jemimah Rodrigues raced to 30 at the end of it. Georgia Wareham struck in her very first over, getting rid of Rodrigues. Kim Garth then got rid of a scratchy Meg Lanning as wickets in consecutive overs left the Capitals five-down after 12 overs.

With Ekta Bisht dismissing Jess Jonassen and Marizanne Kapp, a few quiet followed. Renuka and Wareham ended with three wickets apiece, with the Capitals getting bundled out for 141 in 19.3 overs. Apart from VJ Joshitha, each of Bengaluru’s bowlers had played their part in containing the opposition batters and securing crucial scalps.

In the chase, Smriti Mandhana ran right from the get-go. She had already struck four fours and a maximum at the end of powerplay and she attained her fastest-ever fifty in the WPL, off 27 deliveries during the ninth over. The relentless opening stand was finally broken in the 11th over by Arundhati Reddy.

However, it was all too late for the Capitals. Smriti continued the onslaught post the dismissal of Danni Wyatt-Hodge, who departed for a relatively sedate 33-ball 42. Smriti departed for an excellent 81 when just nine were required for victory. The domination was complete when Player of the Match from Bengaluru’s previous game, Richa Ghosh, clobbered a maximum off Arundhati to a deep backward square leg.

Best Performers of the match

Smriti Mandhana (81 off 47)

It was a captain’s knock from Smriti, whose splendid innings comprised 10 fours and three sixes. As expected from her, she made the most of the fielding restrictions. Even after the powerplay, she was quite proactive with the way she went about her batting.

Renuka Singh (3/23 in four overs)

Coming off a two-fer, Renuka bettered her performance by scalping three vital wickets for her side in the game. Her prowess with the new ball as well as the subtle variations contributed heavily for her team.

What’s next for the two teams?

The Capitals will play one more game in Vadodara on Wednesday, February 19, against UP Warriorz. On the other hand, Bengaluru will take on Mumbai Indians Women at the Chinnaswamy Stadium the next day. Both matches are scheduled for 7:30 pm (IST).