The Women’s Premier League’s (WPL) second edition started on 23rd February 2024. The tournament took place in two halves. The first half was held in Bangaluru and the second half in Delhi. Ironically, the team from both these places managed to make it till the final. The final took place on 17th March 2024 between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Delhi Capitals (DC). The tournament started with a group stage with the top three teams qualifying for the knockouts.
DC had an exceptional season. They won six of their eight games to finish at the top of the table. Mumbai Indians (MI) and Royal Challengers Bangalore finished second and third respectively to qualify for the knockout stage. Both these teams faced each other in the semi-final. RCB managed to put up 135 on the board against MI. While it was not an exceptionally high score, RCB managed to protect the score and beat MI by five runs to qualify for the final.
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Delhi Capitals won the toss and elected to bat first. Their plans, however, did not go exactly as they wanted it to go. Meg Lanning and Shafali Verma gave a good start to DC in the WPL final, but once they got out the downfall started. Thanks to a brilliant bowling performance by Sophie Molineux and Shreyanka Patil, RCB bowled out DC for just 113. Molineux conceded 20 runs and picked up three wickets while Patil gave 12 runs and picked up four wickets in 3.3 overs.
With a target of just 113, RCB started the chase with good confidence. Sophie Devine and Smriti Mandhana gave Royal Challengers Bangalore a very good start. Shikha Pandey managed to get the breakthrough for DC getting Devine out and giving DC hopes to get back in the competition. Mandhana scored 31 of 39 before getting out to Minnu Mani.
Even though the target was relatively easy, RCB took the game all the way till the end. They Ellyse Perry and Richa Ghosh held their nerves to take RCB over the line and help them win their first ever WPL title.
With three to win in four balls, Richa Ghosh decided to end the game instead of playing it slow. She hit a four to win the game for RCB and win them their first ever Women’s Premier League title. The winning shot can be viewed below.
With that four, RCB sealed their WPL title! 🏆#WPL2024
— Women’s CricZone (@WomensCricZone) March 17, 2024
Virat Kohli has been playing for the Royal Challenger’s Bangalore franchise since 2008. While he has never managed to win the Indian Premier League trophy, he was extremely proud to see RCB Women’s Team captain Smriti Mandhana lift the WPL title. He even video called her to congratulate her and the entire RCB franchise on winning the WPL.
For more news and updates on Women’s Premier League, keep reading GutshotMagazine.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Telegram.
Guransh Machra is a sportswriter at Gutshot Magazine. He covers football news from local leagues like the Indian Super League as well as international leagues like the Premier League. He follows various sports like Football, Cricket, Formula 1, and Tennis. Apart from sports, Guransh is also enthusiastic about reading and gaming.
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