RCB’s Dominant Victory: Smriti Mandhana’s 81 Powers the Win Against Delhi Capitals
Smriti Mandhana played a dhamakedar innings, smashing 81 runs off just 47 balls, leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a solid eight-wicket win against Delhi Capitals in the Women’s Premier League on Monday. RCB’s bowlers performed shandaar, with Renuka Singh (3/23) and Georgia Wareham (3/25) ensuring Delhi got all out for 141 in 19.3 overs.
The opening partnership between Smriti and Danni Wyatt-Hodge (42 from 33 balls, 7 fours) was jabardast, as they built a 107-run stand in just 55 balls. Later, Richa Ghosh (11 from 5 balls)* finished the match with a chhakka, helping RCB chase the target in 16.2 overs.
Smriti, India’s vice-captain, played some kamaal ke shots, smashing 10 fours and 3 sixes. Her power-packed innings included sweeps, inside-out drives, and a stunning pull shot against Marizanne Kapp over deep mid-wicket. She hit her fastest fifty of the tournament in just 27 balls, making RCB’s chase look asan.
Danni Wyatt supported her zabardast batting, hitting seven boundaries. She got a jeevan daan when Jemimah Rodrigues dropped an easy catch at long-off when she was on 34. Their partnership in 10 overs put Delhi on the back foot.
RCB started tufani, reaching 50 runs in just 5 overs, keeping the dabaav on Delhi.
Smriti’s kadak six against Arundhati Reddy over long-off showed her dumdar intent. She then hit back-to-back boundaries off Shikha Pandey.
RCB’s decision to bowl first was sahi. Delhi’s bowlers struggled due to dew, especially the spinners, making it easy for Smriti and Danni to control the game. With this win, RCB is at the top with two wins in two matches.
Earlier, Delhi started well, scoring 55/1 in the powerplay, but RCB struck twice in the seventh over, turning the match.
Jemimah Rodrigues, who played a tez innings of 34 off 22 balls (4 fours, 2 sixes), got stumped by Richa Ghosh while trying a reverse sweep. Just five balls later, captain Meg Lanning (18) got out, miscuing a short ball from Georgia Wareham to Ellyse Perry at square leg.
Renuka shandaar bowling continued as she dismissed Annabel Sutherland (19) in the 11th over, right after she had hit Bisht for a six. The Indian pacer started zor se, sending Shafali Verma back for a golden duck in the first over.
Jemimah had survived an LBW appeal, but her wicket changed the match’s flow. Lanning tried to stabilize the innings, but Delhi lost their last five wickets in six overs under RCB’s dabaav.
Sarah Bryce tried to lagaao some runs, scoring 23 off 19 balls, but fell to Wareham, as Delhi could not finish their innings.
This RCB jeet was a complete team effort, with both batting and bowling looking solid.
