DCW vs RCBW: Delhi Capitals (DC) set Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) a target of 142 runs to be chased in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 after being limited to 141 runs from their 19.3 overs. The batting effort by Delhi collapsed through the innings since they failed to develop meaningful partnerships. RCB’s bowlers, especially Renuka Thakur and Georgia Wareham, played crucial roles in keeping Delhi’s overall score in check, both scoring three wickets and disrupting the opposition’s batting line-up greatly.
Batting Misery of Delhi Capitals
Delhi Capitals won the toss and opted to bat, but their match did not unfold as they expected. The opening stand, spearheaded by Shafali Verma and Jemima Rodrigues, suffered an early jolt when Shafali was caught out in the first over by Renuka Singh off the bowling of RCB captain Smriti Mandhana.
This early setback notwithstanding, a crucial stand between Rodrigues and Lanning ensued. Delhi was 55/1 at the end of the powerplay, with both batsmen looking solid.
But the momentum soon changed as RCB bowlers put pressure. Delhi found it difficult to continue their progress after the powerplay. The key partnership of Rodrigues and Lanning, which had given a good base, was dissolved as both of them lost their wickets. Jemima Rodrigues, who had scored a brisk knock of 34 runs off 22 balls, got out after hitting four fours and two sixes.
Captain Meg Lanning, who had scored 17 runs off 19 balls with three fours, was also dismissed, leaving Delhi exposed.
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Following their departures, Delhi’s batting collapsed. Annabel Sutherland contributed 19 runs, while Sarah Bryce and Shikha Pandey scored 23 and 14 runs, respectively. The lower order failed to offer significant resistance, and Delhi was eventually bowled out for 141 runs in 19.3 overs. RCB’s bowling attack, led by Renuka and Georgia, alongside Kim Garth and Ekta Bisht, effectively dismantled Delhi’s batting lineup.
RCB’s Bowling Dominance
RCB’s bowlers were the heroes of the match. Renuka Singh and Georgia Wareham both picked up three wickets apiece, with Renuka’s initial breakthrough in the first over being a decisive factor.
The duo did not allow Delhi to establish any substantial partnerships and restricted the run rate considerably. Kim Garth and Ekta Bisht also played crucial roles with the ball, picking up two wickets apiece and holding back Delhi’s progress as the innings progressed.
Key Delhi Contributions
There were some individual contributions of note for Delhi, despite the collapse. Jemima Rodrigues scored 34 off 22 balls in her innings, the top score of the innings. She did get into some form in the early part of her stand with Lanning, but once they were out, Delhi failed to capitalize on the platform they had already built.
Captain Meg Lanning displayed glimpses of her talent, scoring 17 runs, but could not make her innings count. The middle order, headed by Annabel Sutherland (19 runs), did not stay at the crease long enough to contribute substantial runs, and the lower order could not prevent the inevitable slide.
Smriti’s highest individual score of WPL
Smriti Mandhana smashed 81 runs off 47 balls with the help of 10 fours and 3 sixes. She worked over her weakness of playing against off-spinners and topped the charts of the match with her single-handed dominating knock.
Along with her Danni Wyatt-Hodge contributed crucial 42 runs off 33 deliveries which set the tone for RCB in their 2nd chase of this WPL 2025, and Richa Ghosh at last finishes off in style with a six.
Playing Eleven of Both Teams
Delhi Capitals (DC):
– Meg Lanning (skipper)
– Shafali Verma
– Jemimah Rodrigues
– Annabel Sutherland
– Jess Jonassen
– Marizanne Kapp
– Sarah Bryce (wicketkeeper)
– Shikha Pande
– Radha Yadav
– Arundhati Reddy
– Minu Mani
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB):
– Smriti Mandhana (Captain)
– Danni Wyatt-Hodge
– Ellyse Perry
– Raghvi Bisht
– Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper)
– Kanika Ahuja
– Georgia Wareham
– Kim Garth
– Ekta Bisht
– VJ Joshitha
– Renuka Singh
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