With their victory over Delhi Capitals Women (DC-W) in the Women’s Premier League 2024 (WPL 2024) final on Sunday, March 18, at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, Royal Challengers Bangalore Women (RCB) finally put an end to their franchise’s trophy drought. With Sophie Molineux and Shreyanka Patil (4/12) dominating with the ball, Delhi was bowled out for 113 in 18.3 overs after choosing to bat first.
With significant contributions from Smriti Mandhana (31 off 39), Sophie Devine (32 off 27), Ellyse Perry (35* off 37), and Richa Ghosh (17* off 14), the RCB successfully chased down the mark in 19.3 overs. They went on to become the winners of the second WPL tournament, making their names inscribed in history.
Let’s examine the highlights from WPL 2024’s final:
1. Delhi gets off to a brilliant start under Shafali Verma
After slapping Sophie Molineux over the head for a maximum, the DC opener made it obvious that she was serious about taking on the bowlers. She also welcomed Renuka Singh, hitting a maximum in her opening over, and in her fifth over, she struck another against Ellyse Perry. After six overs, DC were 61/0, and Verma soon raced to 42 (21) in the powerplay.
The two are on a roll!
Shafali Verma
Captain Meg Lanning
Delhi Capitals are making merry, moving to 61/0 after 6 overs!
Follow the match
https://t.co/g011cfzcFp#TATAWPL | #DCvRCB | #Final | @DelhiCapitals | @TheShafaliVerma pic.twitter.com/PWBJiriK1i
— Women’s Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) March 17, 2024
The Shafali Verma Show
begins in the #TATAWPL Final
Watch #DCvRCB – LIVE NOW on #JioCinema & #Sports18.#TATAWPLonSports18 #TATAWPLonJioCinema #JioCinemaSports #CheerTheW pic.twitter.com/m0HLE9hrhe
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) March 17, 2024
2. Sophie Molineux’s game-changing over
Delhi was off to a terrific start after seven overs, scoring 64/0 thanks to a brilliant knock from Shafali Verma. When Meg Lanning saw that her team was in trouble, she threw the ball to Sophie Molineux, and her left arm did not fail her. She first dismissed Shafali, a dangerous player who holed out to deep mid-wicket. Later, she brought RCB back into the game by destroying the stumps of Alice Capsey (0 off 1) and Jemimah Rodrigues (0 off 2) off successive deliveries. Molineux did more than just claim wickets; he also ran out Radha Yadav by hitting him straight from the point at the non-striker’s end.
On the big stage, Molineux
can do no wrong
Watch #DCvRCB -LIVE NOW on #JioCinema & #Sports18.
#DCvRCB #TATAWPL #TATAWPLonSports18 #TATAWPLonJioCinema #JioCinemaSports #CheerTheW pic.twitter.com/f8GlxPunLW
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) March 17, 2024
Shafali Verma
Jemimah Rodrigues
Alice CapseyThat was one incredible
-wicket over from Sophie Molineux
Watch
Follow the match
— Women’s Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) March 17, 2024
3. Richa Ghosh’s game-winning runs secured RCB’s historic victory.
Richa Ghosh finally experienced happiness when she hit Arundhati Reddy for deep extra cover to secure a historic victory for RCB, following her inability to get her team across the finish line in the previous match against the Delhi Capitals. Ellyse Perry (35* off 37) provided strong assistance for Ghosh (unbeaten at 17* (14) as the pair led their team home with an undefeated 33-run standoff off 27 balls.
The Reactions
The Emotions
The Celebrations
They say what this triumph means for the Royal Challengers Bangalore
Scorecard
— Women’s Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) March 17, 2024
𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙈𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩!
That’s how the Royal Challengers Bangalore sealed a memorable win to emerge the #TATAWPL 2024 Champions!
Scorecard
— Women’s Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) March 17, 2024
4. Following their historic victory, RCB females go crazy
When BCCI President Roger Binny and Secretary Jay Shah presented Captain Smriti Mandhana with the WPL trophy, she became the first captain from the Royal Challengers to hold it. Her team, which had just pulled off an incredible victory, rushed to the platform to greet her. They were beaming with pride.
That Trophy-Lifting Moment!
Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Smriti Mandhana receives the #TATAWPL Trophy
from the hands of Mr Roger Binny, President, BCCI and Mr Jay Shah, Honorary Secretary, BCCI
— Women’s Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) March 17, 2024
India
