Vadodara, Feb 17: Smriti Mandhana smashed a blistering 47-ball 81 to power reigning champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a resounding eight-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals in the Women’s Premier League here on Monday.
RCB bowlers, led by Renuka Singh (3/23) and Georgia Wareham (3/25), produced a disciplined performance to bowl out Delhi for 141 in 19.3 overs.
RCB’s opening duo of Smriti and Danni Wyatt-Hodge (42 from 33 balls; 7×4) made the target look effortless, forging a commanding 107-run partnership in just 55 balls before Richa Ghosh (11 not out from 5 balls) sealed the chase with a six in 16.2 overs.
The toss also proved crucial as RCB’s decision to bowl first paid off.
With dew making it difficult for Delhi’s bowlers to grip the ball, the spinners struggled, allowing Smriti and Danni to dominate the chase.
With this emphatic win, RCB flexed their batting firepower and bowling discipline to lead the standings with two wins out of two.
Earlier, after being put in to bat, Delhi had a solid powerplay, reaching 55/1, but RCB struck back with a double blow, triggering a dramatic collapse. Jemimah, who was looking fluent with a 34 off 22 balls was stumped by Richa while attempting a reverse sweep. Lanning played some elegant strokes to rebuild, but Delhi lost their last five wickets in six overs, crumbling under sustained pressure. (PTI)
