WPL Final 2024: RCB Secures First-Ever Title with Dominant 8-Wicket Victory Against DC
WPL Final 2024: RCB Secures First-Ever Title with Dominant 8-Wicket Victory Against DC
Royal Challengers Bangalore won the Women's Premier League 2024 title on Sunday, defeating Delhi Capitals by eight wickets at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Batting first, DC was bowled out for 113 in 18.3 overs. RCB reached the target of 114 with three balls to spare, much to the chagrin of the weekend crowd who had come out to support the local club. With Shafali Verma (44 off 27 balls) on fire, DC were cruising to 64 for no loss in 43 balls before committing harakiri, losing 10 wickets for 49 runs. Spinners Shreyanka Patil (4/12) and Sophie Molineux (3/20) aided RCB's amazing recovery following Shafali's heroics at the top of the order
RCB comfortably chased down the target, reaching 115/2 in 19.2 overs. Richa Ghosh (17*) sealed the victory with a match-winning boundary alongside Ellyse Perry (35*). RCB's pursuit began strongly, propelled by Sophie Devine's 32 at the top of the order. However, Devine fell to Shikha Pandey without capitalizing on her start. Meanwhile, Smriti Mandhana contributed 31 runs before being dismissed by Minnu Mani.
Having won the toss, DC opted to bat first. Initially, Delhi's openers Meg Lanning and Shafali set a brisk pace. However, Shafali's departure for 44 off 27 balls, bowled by Sophie Molineux, triggered a collapse. Molineux's double strike, removing Jemimah (0) and Alice Capsey (0) in quick succession, tilted the momentum towards RCB.
Despite Lanning's efforts, she couldn't stabilize the innings after the early setbacks and was dismissed by Shreyanka Patil in the 11th over, scoring 23 off 23 balls. RCB's bowlers maintained pressure throughout the innings, with Sobhana Asha accounting for Marizanne Kapp (8) and Jess Jonassen (3). Patil struck again to dismiss Minnu Mani (5), while Radha Yadav was run out. In the 19th over, Patil claimed two more wickets, removing Arundhati Reddy (10) and Taniya Bhatia (0).