RCB Ends 16-Year Trophy Drought with Dominant Victory in WPL 2024 Final
In the 2024 Women's Premier League final, Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated the Delhi Capitals to end their 16-year trophy drought.
Ankush Pandey
INTRO
- WPL title won by Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2024
- DC was defeated by 8 wickets by RCB in the WPL 2024 final.
- Shreyanka Molinuex was the highlight of RCB's victory over DC.
After a 16-year trophy drought, RCB defeated DC by 8 wickets to win the WPL 2024 final.In the 2024 Women's Premier League final, Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated the Delhi Capitals to end their 16-year trophy drought. At the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday, March 17, RCB defeated DC by eight wickets to claim the WPL title.
RCB easily overcame DC's 114-run pursuit to win their first WPL final. RCB's spin attack put on a fantastic first-inning display that enabled them to win their first-ever trophy as a team.
In New Delhi, Sophie Molineux and Shreyanka Patil's mesmerizing spin bowling exhibition broke DC's back. Molinuex entered the game and completely changed the course of the match by taking three wickets in an over while DC was comfortably up at 64 for no loss.
She quickly dispatched DC's starting lineup, eliminating the formidable Shafali Varma, the sharp-shooting Alice Capsey, and the in-form Jemmimah Rodrigues in a single over. In the final game, RCB was able to bowl out DC for just 113 runs thanks to her spell and Shreyanka's 4-wicket haul.
Smriti Mandhana, Sophie Devine, and Elysse Perry all made substantial contributions in pursuit of the small total, which helped lead RCB to a convincing win in New Delhi.
Shreyanka finished the competition with 13 wickets in eight matches after defeating Molinuex and Asha Sobhana to earn the Purple Cap. Perry, on the other hand, defeated Meg Lanning to win the Orange Cap.
WPL 2024 FINAL: AS IT HAPPENED
In the final match, DC captain Lanning chose to bat first after winning the toss. DC had a great start thanks to Lanning and Shafali, who combined for the WPL 2024 joint-highest powerplay score.
With everything on the line, Shafali appeared certain to become the first Indian player to reach 50 runs in a WPL final. She smashed Renuka Singh for 19 runs in an over, showing especially severe intent. But Molineux stopped her 44-run blitzkrieg from 27 balls, which included two boundaries and three breathtaking sixes.
MOLINUEX TURNS THE GAME’S TIDE
Molineux's over proved to be a game-changer when she removed Shafali, Jemmimah, and Capsey, causing the Capitals to collapse in the middle of the game. At the end of the 8 over, the Capitals were struggling at 65 for 3, having begun the over at 64 for no loss.
Shreyanka joined the RCB wicket-taking party and took the valuable wicket of Lanning in the eleventh over, sending DC into even more disarray at 74 for 4. Asha removed seasoned players Marizzane Kapp and Jess Jonassen, adding to the disarray and leaving DC struggling at 81 for 6.
SHREYANKA CLEANS UP THE TAIL
After hitting Radha Yadav, Molineux ended the Capitals' innings, leaving them at 87 for 7. The last hope came from Arundhati Roy and Minnu Mani, who were able to take DC over the 100-run barrier. Their attempts were, however, in vain, as Shreyanka took Mani for her second wicket of the day.
Shreyanka proved to be the most important bowler for RCB, taking four wickets at a cost of just 12 runs in 3.3 overs to end DC's innings at 113. Molinuex also contributed three vital wickets.
Mandhana and Sophie Divine put together a solid 49-run partnership to take the first wicket in the second innings. After making a 32 from 27 balls, Devine was the first to fall, caught LBW by Shikha Pandey in the ninth over.
PERRY FINISHES IT OFF
The semi-final hero of the RCB, Elysse Perry, steadied the innings and supported Mandhana. Nonetheless, the run rate began to rise as a result of both batters' cautious approach.
RCB needed 53 runs to win off 48 deliveries after 12 overs had been completed. Lanning made excellent use of Shikha and quickly used up all of her overs. She took Devine's wicket at the end of her spell, conceding just 11 runs in four overs.
The pressure on the scoreboard paid off at last, as Mandhana attempted to hit Mani for a lifetime, only to be caught at mid-on by Arundhati Reddy. With eight wickets and three balls remaining, Perry and Richa Ghosh managed to steady their nerves and ensure that the RCB crossed the finish line.
Also read: WPL 2024 final Live Streaming RCB vs DC: When and where to watch
