RCB Thrashes DC by 8 Wickets in WPL 2025

Vadodara: In a commanding performance, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) defeated Delhi Capitals (DC) by eight wickets in a Women’s Premier League (WPL) match in Vadodara on Monday. The win, driven by exceptional bowling from Renuka Singh and Georgia Wareham, alongside a blistering half-century from skipper Smriti Mandhana, helped RCB maintain an unbeaten record, securing two wins from two matches, and climbing to the top of the table. DC, on the other hand, now sit third with one win and one loss.

RCB won the toss and chose to bowl first. The decision quickly paid off, as Shefali Verma, a dangerous batter, fell to an easy catch off the very first ball of the innings, with Smriti Mandhana making no mistake at mid-off.

After this early blow, Jemimah Rodrigues and captain Meg Lanning steadied the ship, looking to rebuild DC’s innings. Rodrigues was particularly aggressive, scoring quickly against Ekta Bisht and Joshitha, hitting a series of boundaries. With Rodrigues hitting a six, DC passed the 50-run mark in just 5.4 overs. However, their 60-run partnership came to an end when Georgia Wareham brilliantly stumped Rodrigues for 34 off 22 balls, including four fours and two sixes. DC were now 60/2 in 6.5 overs.

The wickets continued to tumble as Kim Garth removed Meg Lanning for 17 off 19 balls, leaving DC at 62/3 in 7.3 overs. Annabel Sutherland and Marizanne Kapp tried to stabilize the innings, taking the score to 83/3 in 10 overs, with Sutherland unbeaten on 19* and Kapp on 4*. But the tide turned again as Sutherland was dismissed for 19 off 13 balls, thanks to a brilliant catch by Mandhana, with Renuka taking the catch at extra cover. DC now found themselves at 84/4 in 10.2 overs.

The middle order failed to make much of an impact, despite Sarah Bryce (23 off 19 balls) and Shikha Pandey (14 off 15 balls) attempting to rebuild. Wareham, Garth, Renuka, and Ekta Bisht continued to dominate, each playing their part in dismantling the DC batting lineup. DC were ultimately all out for 141 in 19.3 overs. Renuka was the standout performer with the ball, taking 3/23, supported by Wareham who claimed 3/25. Garth and Bisht also chipped in with 2 wickets each.

In reply, RCB’s openers, Smriti Mandhana and Danni Wyatt Hodge, got off to a flying start. Mandhana, in particular, was in aggressive mode, hitting two boundaries in the first over against Kapp. Danni Hodge also joined the action, hitting two boundaries off Shikha Pandey. The powerplay ended with RCB at 57/0 in 6 overs, with Mandhana (32*) and Hodge (22*) leading the charge. Mandhana continued her attack in the middle overs, striking boundaries off Jess Jonassen and Sutherland.

Mandhana brought up her half-century off just 27 balls, including eight fours and a six. RCB crossed the 100-run mark in 10 overs with a brilliant boundary from Danni through deep cover. The opening partnership between Mandhana and Hodge was finally broken in the 11th over, when Arundhati Reddy dismissed Wyatt for 42 off 33 balls, which included seven boundaries. DC were 107/1 in 10.5 overs, but the damage had already been done.

Mandhana, however, kept the momentum going, racing towards victory. The boundaries continued to flow as both Jonassen and Sutherland were hammered by the skipper. Mandhana’s innings finally came to an end when Shikha Pandey dismissed her for 81 runs, with 10 fours and three sixes, off 47 balls. RCB’s score was 133/2 in 15.1 overs.

Despite the wicket of Mandhana, RCB were on course for victory. Richa Ghosh finished the game in style, hitting a brilliant six to take RCB to 146/2 in 16.1 overs. Richa remained unbeaten on 11*, while Alice Perry, who contributed 7* runs, saw her team home. Arundhati and Shikha Pandey were the only wicket-takers for DC, each taking one wicket.

RCB’s all-round performance, led by the brilliance of their bowlers and Mandhana’s explosive batting, earned them a comfortable eight-wicket win, keeping them at the top of the WPL 2025 standings.