HBD Smriti Mandhana: When Queen Of Cricket Led RCB To First-Ever Title Win
Mandhana led RCB to glory in 2024 [X]
RCB, one of the most popular franchise were eluded with the IPL trophy since 2008. The team boasted a strong squad, but that wasn't enough to give them their maiden title.
Even the women's team suffered the same fate as the men's team in the inaugural Women's Premier League in 2023. A lot was expected of captain Smriti Mandhana, who led a dynamic team, but just like the men's team, they, too, had the luck on the opposite side as the team failed to reach the knockouts.
When Mandhana led RCB to title win in WPL
While other leaders would have been down and out after such a dismal result, Mandhana rose from the Ashes and led RCB to glory in 2024 season.
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women's team blew hot and cold in the group stage matches, but when the qualification place was up for grabs, Mandhana rose to the occasion and alongside Ellyse Perry steered her side to the finals, where they met Delhi Capitals.
Interestingly, before the finale, RCB Women had never defeated the Meg Lanning led DC in WPL, so the stakes were high.
This time in the finals, the RCB bowlers showcased their class and restricted DC to a meagre 113 in 18.3 overs. On a tricky surface, Mandhana stitched a crucial 49-run stand with Sophie Devine. The ball was holding up a bit and the southpaw scored a gritty 31 before getting dismissed.
By the time she was knocked over, RCB needed only 32 runs to win, which they achieved rather easily as Mandhana did the unthinkable and helped RCB win its first-ever title.