Watch: Smriti Mandhana emotional as RCB win WPL 2024; players go berserk with wild celebrations

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) women skipper Smriti Mandhana was in tears after her team won the final of the Women Premier League (WPL) 2024. The Bengaluru-based franchise thumped Delhi Capitals in the final to claim their first-ever title.

Smriti Mandhana played an instrumental role in Royal Challengers Bangalore winning the trophy. The captain led from the front and made sure that she ended the title drought for the franchise. The season was a roller-coaster ride for them but they made sure they brought their best in the final.

Royal Challengers Bangalore dominated the final of the WPL and clinched the game by the margin of 8 wickets. They were asked to bowl first and they produced a sensational effort with the ball. At first, the visitors were under pressure as DC had a solid 64-run stand that too at a quick pace.

However, after that Sophie Molineux changed the entire complexion of the game. She produced a triple-wicket over, which triggered the collapse of the Delhi Capitals. After that Shreyanka Patil did what she does best as she spun the web around the opposition.

She picked four wickets whereas Asha Sobhana bagged two scalps as Delhi Capitals got bundled out for just 133 runs. RCB took a cautious approach with the bat at the start. Sophie Devine (31) and Smriti Mandhana (31) added 49 runs together that set the platform for the team.

After that, Ellyse Perry (35*) played an unbeaten hand for the team before Richa Ghosh (17*) hit the inning runs. RCB won the game by 8 wickets and clinched the second edition of the Women’s Premier League at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

As RCB women won the WPL 2024, skipper Smriti Mandhana got emotional as she walked out on the field. The video of that went viral on the internet. Here’s the clip of the captain having tears in her eyes post the win.

Also read: Watch: Meg Lanning breaks down in tears as DC lose WPL 2024 final vs RCB

pic.twitter.com/MwgxnmU7uS

— Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka (@Hanji_CricDekho) March 17, 2024

Now it’s Ee Sala Cup Namdu – Smriti Mandhana after WPL win

That Trophy-Lifting Moment! 🙌 🙌

Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Smriti Mandhana receives the #TATAWPL Trophy 🏆 from the hands of Mr Roger Binny, President, BCCI and Mr Jay Shah, Honorary Secretary, BCCI 👏 👏#Final | @JayShah | @RCBTweets | @mandhana_smriti pic.twitter.com/pYrNYkZdca

— Women's Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) March 17, 2024

Smriti Mandhana opened up about the win in the final of the WPL 2024. She admitted that feeling still hasn’t sunk in for but she is proud of the way her team played. She highlighted how tough last season taught them a lot. Speaking after the game, he explained:

“Feeling hasn’t still sunk in. Hard for me to come out with expressions. One thing I’ll say is I’m proud of the bunch. Our Bangalore leg was really good. We came to Delhi and had two tough losses. That’s what we spoke about that we need to step up at the right time. These tournaments are about peaking at the right time. Last year taught us a lot of things. What went wrong, what went right. Management just said this is your team, build it (your way).”

Smriti Mandhana further added that there have been a lot of statements about Ee Sala Cup Namde but now they can proudly say that it’s Ee Sala Cup Namdu. She said:

“Thumbs up to them. For RCB, it’s a lot more. I’m not the only one who won the trophy, the team has won the trophy. I’m not the person to talk about what I feel. This is in the top five maybe. Obviously, a World Cup would top it. Have a message for the fans – the most loyal fanbase. One statement that always comes up is Ee Sala Cup Namde. Now it’s Ee Sala Cup Namdu,” she concluded.

Also read: WPL 2024 award winners: Full list of prize winners after WPL final