Royal Challengers Bangalore clinched their long overdue trophy, winning the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 title. While the men’s team still hasn’t won the Indian Premier League (IPL) title, the women’s team went all the way in only the second season of the Women’s Premier League. As Smriti Mandhana’s side clinched the title, beating the Delhi Capitals in the final on Sunday, Vijay Mallya, former owner of the franchise’s men’s team, took to social media to congratulate the team.
“Heartiest congratulations to the RCB Women’s Team for winning the WPL. It would be a fantastic double if the RCB Men’s Team won the IPL which is long overdue. Good Luck,” the businessman posted on X (formerly Twitter).
After the final, RCB women’s team captain Smriti Mandhana said she got solid backing from the management after their failure to win the Women’s Premier League last year, which went a long way in them lifting the title here on Sunday. She said the 2023 campaign “taught us a lot of things” as her team beat Delhi Capitals by eight wickets to land the title.
By winning the WPL title, RCB’s women bunch has managed to achieve what their men’s team could not do over 16 years. But, Mandhana was thankful to the franchise’s loyal fanbase for always supporting the side.
“Last year taught us a lot of things, as a player, as a captain and as a team. The management, the way they backed me during the review after the season…they have been through a lot and a big thumbs up (to them),” Mandhana said at the post-match presentation.
On the title victory, the soutphaw said, “The feeling has not sunk in yet, maybe it will take time. Hard for me to come out with a lot of expressions. Only thing I want to say is I am proud of the bunch.
“We have been through ups and downs but they have stuck at it, and the way we have gotten past the line (tonight), it was amazing. Our Bangalore leg was really good. We had two tough losses (in Delhi). That is what we talked about.
“The last league match was like a quarter, then the semi and then the final. In such tournaments, you have to peak at the right time.” The spin pair of Shreyanka Patil (4/12) and Sophie Molineux (3/20) helped RCB bowl out DC for 113, and then, talismanic skipper Mandhana (31), Sophie Devine (32) and Elysse Perry (35 not out) saw them home with three balls to spare.
