Capitals vs Royal Challengers: Bengaluru keep WPL Title as Delhi face fourth straight final loss

NEW DELHI: Royal Challengers Bengaluru kept their Women’s Premier League (WPL) title on Thursday, completing the biggest successful chase in the league’s history. This victory handed the Delhi Capitals their fourth consecutive defeat in the final.

Delhi, batting first, posted a formidable total of 203-4. However, Bengaluru rose to the challenge, with captain Smriti Mandhana and Georgia Voll sharing a brilliant 165-run partnership for the second wicket.

With just eight runs needed from the final four balls, Radha Yadav sealed the win for Bengaluru by hitting two consecutive boundaries, securing a six-wicket victory and their second WPL title, following their triumph in 2023.

Delhi’s openers, Shefali Verma and Lizelle Lee, made a strong start, adding 49 runs in the first six overs. Jemimah Rodrigues (57) and Laura Wolvaardt (44 off 25) then put on 76 runs for the third wicket, while Wolvaardt and an unbeaten Chinelle Henry (35 off 15) added 49 runs in the final three overs, pushing Delhi past the 200-run mark for the second time this season.

Bengaluru, chasing their highest target of 203 after a successful chase of 202 against Gujarat Giants last year, lost Grace Harris early. However, Voll set the chase in motion, striking six boundaries in the next three overs. Mandhana joined the effort, blasting three sixes in her 87-run knock off just 41 balls. Voll contributed 79 off 54 before falling to Minnu Mani, leaving Bengaluru just 27 runs shy of victory with three overs remaining.

Delhi, who have reached every final in WPL’s four-year history, fought back in the 19th over, with Chinelle Henry (2-34) dismissing Mandhana and Yadav being caught off a top edge. However, a crucial drop by Mani left Bengaluru with a clear path to victory.