Smriti Mandhana Masterclass Leads RCB to a Dominant Win Over Delhi Capitals

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) blasted eight-wicket foes Delhi Capitals (DC) in a nail-biting contest in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), at the Kotambi Stadium. The performance of Smriti Mandhana will be remembered for many reasons, not least for her smashing 81 runs off just 47 deliveries-her tournament best unprecedentedly put into context.

RCB’s Bowling Unit Restricts DC to a Modest Total

Delhi Capitals struggled to put up a fight after the toss, thanks to the classic demolition job done by RCB considering Renuka Singh Thakur and Georgia Wareham. Being bowled out for a measly 141 in the 19.3 overs was disappointing, however, Jemimah Rodrigues (34) and Sarah Bryce (23) tried hard to steady the ship, but it was not to be as RCB’s bowlers kept intervening to deny DC any fruitful control.

Standouts with the ball were Renuka Singh Thakur (3/23) and Georgia Wareham (3/25). Their disciplined bowling, combined with sharp fielding, kept DC under relentless pressure. A score below 150 was always going to be inadequate for the RCB batting line-up, who had their tails up this season.

Smriti Mandhana’s Explosive Start

Chasing a target of 143, RCB gave an early start to their run chase, thanks to Smriti Mandhana and Danni Wyatt-Hodge. From the very first over, Smriti looked in sublime touch, striking boundaries at will. Her stroke play held the audience spellbound as she hit early boundaries off Marizanne Kapp. A succession of beautifully-placed shots against off-spinner Minnu Mani enhanced RCB’s control of the chase.

Danni Wyatt-Hodge on the flip side put in a good display of batmanship keeping the pressure on the DC bowlers. Both batters were busy targeting gaps and forcing the bowlers to pay for every loose delivery. After six overs of Power-play, RCB had piled on 57 runs on the board without losing a wicket.

A Knock to Remember

Smriti Mandhana continued to dominate the bowlers and brought up her half-century in just 27 balls. Her ever-present boundary-hitting made it tough for DC. The seamless pull shot over deep mid-wicket against Marizanne Kapp was a testimony to her timing and confidence.

The pressure was still on after the dismissal of Danni Wyatt-Hodge for 42, with Smriti carrying on with aggression and precision. The left-arm spin of Jess Jonassen was sent to the boundary by some nicely placed drives and lofted shots. In all, she hit ten fours and three enormous sixes in an innings that struck at a phenomenal rate of 172.34.

The Winning Moment

Mandhana was caught in a short fine leg going for an adventurous scoop shot for 81 but RCB were in such a dominant position that Ellyse Perry and Richa Ghosh made sure there were no more hiccups in their chase and guided the team to home two performances ahead of the par. This convincing victory sends RCB to the top of the points table, directly improving their net run rate.

Key Performances

• RCB Batting: Smriti Mandhana (81), Danni Wyatt-Hodge (42)
• RCB Bowling: Renuka Singh Thakur (3/23), Georgia Wareham (3/25)
• DC Batting: Jemimah Rodrigues (34), Sarah Bryce (23).
• DC Bowling: Arundhati Reddy (1/25), Shikha Pandey (1/27)

Impact on the Tournament

The victory cemented RCB’s place as a serious contender in the WPL 2025. The team showed considerable depth in all its departments with an all-around performance. Smriti Mandhana remarkable form has been a tremendous boost, and it is felt, with her shoring the tenor of the RCB campaign in her leadership. The aggressive approach of the team has invited comparisons with some greatest teams in cricket history, with debates doing the rounds about whether Smriti could be considered an emerging “Godfather of cricket” in the women’s game.

Now, fans are looking forward to seeing RCB in action in future matches and scintillating performances. For those who follow the action, Winexch lets all cricket fans watch live cricket for free for taking all the updates. 

FAQs

• What were the highlights of RCB’s win over DC?

It was Smriti Mandhana’s fiery knock of 81 runs and some disciplined RCB bowlers who were the highlight of the match. 

• How did Delhi perform in this match?

DC collapsed with the bat for just 141 runs, with Jemimah Rodrigues as the top scorer. Their bowlers, however, could not pull down the chase from RCB. 

• Who were RCB’s main stars?

Smriti Mandhana (81), Danni Wyatt-Hodge (42), and Renuka Singh Thakur (3/23) and Georgia Wareham (3/25) all played vital roles in securing the win. 

• How has this win altered RCBs placing in the tournament?

With this win, RCB is now at the top of the points table, which has provided a huge boost to its standings in the WPL.