“Smriti Mandhana’s explosive 81 leads capitals vs royal challengers to an 8-wicket win over . Read match highlights and key moments.”
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 witnessed an electrifying contest between Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, with RCB clinching an emphatic 8-wicket victory. The match, held at a packed stadium, saw some stunning performances, particularly from RCB’s skipper Smriti Mandhana, whose aggressive 81-run knock guided her team to a comprehensive win.
Match Overview
The highly anticipated clash between and capitals vs royal challengers lived up to its billing, offering fans a thrilling contest. Batting first, Delhi Capitals posted a competitive total of 141 runs, thanks to a resilient effort by their top order. However, RCB, led by an inspired Smriti Mandhana, chased down the target with ease, showcasing their dominance in the league.
Delhi Capitals’ Innings
Delhi Capitals won the toss and opted to bat first, hoping to put up a formidable score on the board. Their opening pair provided a steady start, but RCB’s bowlers kept the scoring rate in check. Shafali Verma and Meg Lanning formed a crucial partnership, with Lanning scoring a well-crafted 45 off 35 balls, anchoring the innings.
However, RCB’s bowling attack, spearheaded by Renuka Singh and Georgia Wareham, struck at regular intervals to ensure Delhi Capitals never gained complete control. Renuka Singh was particularly impressive, picking up 3 wickets for just 23 runs in her spell. Wareham provided excellent support with figures of 3/25, dismantling the middle order.
Jemimah Rodrigues tried to accelerate the scoring towards the end, contributing 32 runs, but tight bowling from RCB restricted Delhi to a total of 141/7 in 20 overs.
Smriti Mandhana’s Masterclass
Chasing 142, Royal Challengers Bengaluru got off to a dream start, thanks to their captain Smriti Mandhana’s blistering innings. Mandhana took the attack to the bowlers right from the outset, playing exquisite shots all around the ground. Her 81-run knock came off just 47 balls and included 11 boundaries and 3 sixes.
Her aggressive approach put immense pressure on Delhi’s bowlers, who struggled to contain the flow of runs. She was well-supported by Danni Wyatt-Hodge, who played a steady knock of 42 off 33 balls. The duo put up a match-winning 107-run partnership for the first wicket, effectively sealing the game for RCB.
Despite losing a couple of wickets towards the end, RCB comfortably chased down the target in 15.4 overs. Richa Ghosh finished the match in style with a towering six, ensuring an emphatic victory for Bengaluru.
Key Performances
- Smriti Mandhana (RCB): 81 runs off 47 balls (11 fours, 3 sixes)
- Danni Wyatt-Hodge (RCB): 42 runs off 33 balls
- Renuka Singh (RCB): 3 wickets for 23 runs
- Georgia Wareham (RCB): 3 wickets for 25 runs
- Meg Lanning (DC): 45 runs off 35 balls
- Jemimah Rodrigues (DC): 32 runs off 27 balls
Turning Point of the Match
The standout moment of the match was Smriti Mandhana’s aggressive onslaught in the powerplay. Her fearless approach put RCB in the driver’s seat early on, ensuring that they remained ahead throughout the chase. The 107-run partnership between Mandhana and Wyatt-Hodge was the defining phase of the game, crushing Delhi Capitals’ hopes of making a comeback.
Post-Match Reactions
Smriti Mandhana (RCB Captain):
“We had a clear game plan, and I’m happy with the way we executed it. The bowlers did an excellent job in restricting Delhi to a manageable total, and our batting unit stepped up. Credit to Danni for her solid support at the other end. It feels great to contribute to the team’s success.”
Meg Lanning (DC Captain):
“It was a tough loss for us. We could have added 15-20 more runs, but RCB bowled really well. Smriti’s innings took the game away from us. We need to regroup and come back stronger in the next match.”
Impact on the Tournament
With this win, Royal Challengers Bengaluru climbed to the top of the capitals vs royal challengers WPL 2025 points table, strengthening their position in the competition. Their comprehensive victory also improved their net run rate, which could play a crucial role in the later stages of the tournament.
On the other hand, Delhi Capitals will have to reassess their strategies and make improvements before their next game. While their batting showed promise, their bowlers struggled against an in-form Smriti Mandhana.
Looking Ahead
RCB’s next match will be against Mumbai Indians, another strong contender in the tournament. With Mandhana in sublime form and their bowling attack firing on all cylinders, they will be aiming to continue their winning streak.
For Delhi Capitals, the focus will be on rectifying their mistakes and bouncing back in the upcoming fixture. They have a talented squad, and if their key players step up, they can still make a strong comeback in the league.
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Conclusion
The match between Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru was a thrilling contest that highlighted the sheer dominance of RCB’s batting lineup. Smriti Mandhana’s breathtaking innings stole the show, and with brilliant support from her teammates, Capitals Vs Royal Challengerssecured a commanding 8-wicket win. As the tournament progresses, performances like these set the stage for an exciting WPL 2025 season.
