In a thrilling showdown at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday, March 17th, Royal Challengers Bangalore won over Delhi Capitals in the final of the 2024 Women’s Premier League, putting an end to their 16-year quest for the trophy. RCB secured a massive eight-wicket win, securing the desirable WPL title in style.

RCB moved to victory in their pursuit of 114 runs against DC, securing their inaugural WPL title. An impressive performance in the first innings by RCB’s spin attack paved the way for their historic triumph, marking the franchise’s first-ever trophy win.

In New Delhi, Sophie Molinuex and Shreyanka Patil delivered a mesmerizing display of spin bowling that shattered DC’s hopes. Despite DC’s strong start at 64 for no loss, Molinuex’s entry into the attack completely altered the game’s dynamics, as she swiftly took three wickets in a single over.

In a single over, she dismantled DC’s top order, dismissing the intimidating Shafali Varma, the in-form Jemmimah Rodrigues, and the hard-hitting Alice Capsey. Supported by Shreyanka’s impressive four-wicket haul, her spell contributed significantly to RCB restricting DC to a mere 113 runs in the final.

In pursuit of the modest target, Smriti Mandhana, Sophie Devine, and Ellyse Perry made notable contributions, steering RCB to a comfortable victory in New Delhi.

Shreyanka claimed the Purple Cap, surpassing Molinuex and Asha Sobhana, concluding the tournament with 13 wickets in eight matches. On the other hand, Perry claimed the Orange Cap, outperforming Meg Lanning for the honor.

WPL 2024 Final: A Live Recap

In the final, DC skipper Lanning won the toss and elected to bat. Lanning and Shafali initiated an intense start for DC, recording the highest powerplay score in WPL 2024.

Shafali was in full swing, set to be the first Indian to achieve a half-century in a WPL final. She especially targeted Renuka Singh, striking her for 19 runs in an over. Nevertheless, her aggressive 44-run innings from 27 balls, featuring two boundaries and three impressive sixes, was halted by Molineux.

Molineux alters the game’s direction

Molineux’s significant over altered the game’s trajectory, dismissing Shafali, Jemmimah, and Capsey successively, leading to a significant collapse of the Capitals. From a strong position of 64 for no loss at the beginning of the eighth over, the Capitals plummeted to 65 for 3 by the end of Molineux’s over.

Shreyanka joined RCB’s wicket-taking spree by capturing the crucial wicket of Lanning in the 11th over, intensifying DC’s troubles at 74 for 4. The turmoil persisted as Asha removed seasoned players, Marizzane Kapp and Jess Jonassen, leaving DC in a precarious position at 81 for 6.

Shreyanka dismisses the lower order

Molineux compounded the Capitals’ misery by effecting the run-out of Radha Yadav, diminishing DC to 87 for 7. A ray of hope emerged as Minnu Mani and Arundhati Roy pushed DC past the 100-run mark. Nonetheless, their resistance was brief, as Shreyanka secured her second wicket of the day by dismissing Mani.

Closing DC’s innings at 113, Shreyanka stood out as RCB’s significant bowler, securing four wickets and conceding just 12 runs in 3.3 overs, with Molinuex contributing three vital wickets.

In the second innings, Mandhana and Sophie Devine forged a steady partnership of 49 runs for the opening wicket. Devine was the initial casualty, getting dismissed LBW by Shikha Pandey in the ninth over after contributing a 32-run innings off 27 balls.

Perry secures the victory

Perry, RCB’s standout performer from the semi-finals, anchored the innings and offered valuable assistance to Mandhana. Nevertheless, due to the careful approach taken by both batswomen, the run rate began to rise.

At the end of 12 overs, RCB required 53 runs to win from 48 deliveries. Lanning effectively utilized Shikha’s overs, ensuring she bowled out early. Shikha completed her spell with one wicket to her name and allowed only 11 runs in four overs.

The pressure from the scoreboard eventually took its toll when Mandhana attempted to hit Mani for a boundary but was caught at mid-on by Arundhati Reddy. Nonetheless, Perry and Richa Ghosh remained composed and steered RCB to victory with eight wickets and three balls to spare.