Royal Challengers Bangalore recorded an eight-wicket win against Delhi Capitals to clinch the Women's Premier League 2024 title on Sunday. Captain Smriti Mandhana ended RCB's wait for the silverware after 16 years.
RCB's win also highlighted the men's side's three heartbreaking defeats in three Indian Premier League history. RCB legend Virat Kohli was part of all three IPL final defeats but joined the team's celebrations in the WPL final through a video call to Mandhana.
Emotions were high as RCB players and fans celebrated at Arun Jaitley Stadium. A video call from Virat was special for Smriti and her teammates who were full of smiles celebrating the glory at Arun Jaitley Stadium.
After the memorable win, RCB captains talked about the importance of winning the silverware for the franchise.
"The feeling has not sunk in yet, maybe it will take time," Smriti said in the post-match presentation. "Hard for me to come out with a lot of expression. Only thing I want to say is I am proud of the bunch. We have been through ups and downs but they have stuck at it, and the way we have gotten past the line (tonight), it was amazing.
"For RCB as a franchise to win, it is really, really special. This win is definitely one of the top five maybe. A World Cup win would top it. I have a message for all the RCB fans, the most loyal fan base. Nothing would have been possible without their support. Ee Sala Cup Namde always comes up, and now I just want to say Ee Sala Cup Namdu."
Royal Challengers Bangalore Playing XI: Smriti Mandhana (c), Sophie Devine, Sabbhineni Meghana, Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghosh (wk), Sophie Molineux, Georgia Wareham, Disha Kasat, Shreyanka Patil, Asha Sobhana, Renuka Thakur Singh.
Delhi Capitals Playing XI: Meg Lanning (c), Shafali Verma, Alice Capsey, Jemimah Rodrigues, Marizanne Kapp, Jess Jonassen, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Taniya Bhatia (wk), Shikha Pandey, Minnu Mani.
