RCB-W falter in final hurdle against DC despite Smriti Mandhana’s fighting half-century

Despite a valiant fight, an unfortunate slump in the final two overs of the chase left RCB-W short of what would have been a humdinger outing for them in Match 7 of WPL 2024. Facing the might of Delhi Capitals, the RCB bowlers failed to have a lasting impact despite tasting success in patches. However, the RCB-W skipper, Smriti Mandhana showed it to the world why she is deemed as one of the finest in women’s cricket stunning the fans with a fine knock.

Winning the toss, Smriti Mandhana opted to bowl first. Wickets were hard to come by as Meg Lanning and Shafali Verma started off to a flyer. Despite Sophie Devine’s early success that got the better of Lanning for 11, the following partnership between Alice Capsey (46) and Verma (50) made the equation a difficult one for the Royal Challengers.

Three quick wickets in the form of Verma, Capsey and Jemimah Rodrigues slowed down the tempo for the visitors. But late contributions from Marizanne Kapp (32) and Jess Jonassen (36) allowed Delhi to pile up 194 on the board.

Chasing a monumental total, RCB-W’s captain, Smriti Mandhana took the centerstage and started spraying the bowlers to the fences without breaking a sweat. Mandhana clobbered the bowlers to every single nook and cranny of the park, notching up 74 from just 43 balls.

Devine fell for 23 from 17 balls but Sabbhineni Meghana once again played a stabilizing knock at the other end while Smriti continued with the onslaught. After a rampage featuring 10 fours and three sixes, Mandhana was finally removed by Marizanne Kapp.

Richa Ghosh (19) and Meghana continued the fight but much to RCB’s woes, they were fell short of what could have been a glorious finish. Once Meghana was run-out for 36, it simply spiralled out of RCB-W’s control as they finished on 169/9, losing the match by 25 runs.