On an electrifying Sunday evening under the bright lights of the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, history was made as the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) women’s team seized their first-ever Women’s Premier League title, bringing years of anticipation to a jubilant close. The franchise, which had been yearning for a championship since its inception in 2008, finally savored the sweet taste of victory, ending a long-standing trophy drought in the process.
The significant achievement followed a closely contested battle against the formidable Delhi Capitals, with RCB marking their territory with an emphatic 8-wicket win, much to the delight of the fans who’ve stood by the team through thick and thin. As Richa Ghosh elegantly drove the ball for a four to seal the win, RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana’s emotions floridly poured over as she let out a triumphant roar. This crescendo moment was a collective release of years of pent-up anticipation and striving from the entire squad.
The field then became an arena of pure celebration as teammates dashed to the center, their faces alight with joy, exchanging hugs and etching an everlasting memory for themselves and their loyal supporters. Amid the festivities, captain Mandhana was noticeably overwhelmed with emotion as she met her fellow champions on the field. In parallel, the outpour of sentiment also graced the eyes of star spinner Asha Shobana, who couldn’t hold back her tears after the defining victory, sharing a heartfelt embrace with pacer Kate Cross.
In the aftermath, retaining her composure, the triumphant captain Mandhana shared her feelings with the broadcasters, her voice carrying the weight of a protracted journey. She confessed that the feeling of victory was yet to completely sink in, evidenced by her struggle to articulate the surging emotions. Despite the initial struggle in the Delhi leg with consequential losses, she underscored the team’s resilience and ability to peak at the vital moment, which is the hallmark of tournament success.
Learning from the previous year’s setbacks, Mandhana attributed this victory to a collective team effort echoing the faith that management instilled by granting them the autonomy to shape the team’s trajectory. She emphasized that the thrill of the victory was not hers alone, but a shared prize among her teammates and the RCB support staff. She acknowledged the vocal RCB fanbase, recognizing their unwavering loyalty, and cleverly tweaked the slogan “Ee Sala Cup Namde” to “Ee Sala Cup Namdu” as an ode to them, despite her unfamiliarity with Kannada, the local language.
During the chase of a modest target of 114, Mandhana’s stable innings of 31 from 39 balls laid the groundwork for a successful run chase. The dependable Ellyse Perry remained unbeaten at 35, while Richa Ghosh’s brisk 17 off 14 balls propelled the team across the finish line. The bowling duo of Sophie Molineux and Shreyanka Patil had earlier set the stage by dismantling the opposition, Delhi Capitals, with a demonstration of superb bowling that undeniably changed the course of the game.
The victory was an amalgamation of strategic prowess, sheer determination, and uncontainable emotion. The RCB’s women’s team now etches their name into the annals of the WPL as the latest victors, embodying the dreams and aspirations of countless supporters who have longed for this day. Undeniably, their success has not only propelled the team to newfound heights but has also underscored the integrity and evolution of women’s cricket on a global scale.
