Watch Smriti Mandhana left stunned after a massive reception at the Chinnaswamy Stadium for RCB's first game of WPL 2024

A jam-packed and sold-out crowd at the M. Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru erupted in loud cheers as they welcomed home team captain Smriti Mandhana for Royal Challengers Bangalore Women’s team’s first-ever home match at the venue as they took on Alyssa Healy-led UP Warriorz in match number 2 of the Women’s Premier League 2024.

There wasn’t this type of anticipation when the reigning champions Mumbai Indians Women defeated the runners-up from last season Delhi Capitals Women in the opening clash of WPL 2024 even though the match ended up as one of the most exciting ones. It would be fair to say that all the Bengaluru-based fans were just waiting to gaze at their very own Smriti Mandhana.

Smriti Mandhana is left speechless as the Bengaluru crowd welcomes her for the first time

Smriti Mandhana was impressed with Home Crowd ❤️ ❤️#RCB pic.twitter.com/2zDk8m6KqS

— Shree Gauri (@ShreeGauri11) February 24, 2024

During toss time at the M. Chinnaswamy last night, after Alyssa Healy won the toss and elected to bowl first, the entire crowd present at the iconic venue exploded in excitement as noise and cheers did not just seem to stop. The toss facilitator herself was shocked to see the rousing welcome for Smriti Mandhana who is perhaps one of the most famous female cricketers of the world.

The toss facilitator even noticed that this type of noise could not be heard even when several Bollywood stars including Shah Rukh Khan came for the WPL 2024 opening ceremony. “We had 6 Bollywood stars here last night but this seems louder. That’s gonna be a challenge for your players to try and get used to it.” – the anchor said with huge anticipation on her face. 

In response, Smriti Mandhana’s reaction was just priceless. She was stunned, spellbound, and had a bright smile on her face as if she had never witnessed a welcome of this sort before asking the crowd to just slow down with hand gestures.

“I think we already knew as a team that RCB with their fan base, we are gonna get this (welcome) and that’s why our chat was around that there’s gonna be a lot of noise. There’ll be a lot of support for us but it’s really important as to what we do as a team” – Mandhana said during the toss.

RCB beat UP Warriorz in another WPL thriller

The home team did not let the home supporters get back home with sad faces as Smriti Mandhana’s side defeated UP Warriorz by just 2 runs in a match that went till the last ball. RCB despite posting quite an unsafe target of 158 on the board in a batting paradise, mainly through the efforts of Sabbhineni Meghana who amassed 53 off 44 while wicket-keeper batsman Richa Ghosh complimented her knock with a 62 off 37 including 12 fours.

The UP Warriorz bowling department were spot on as their collective economical bowling, especially by Sophie Ecclestone was just amazing. In response, the Warriorz’s batting line-up did not help the cause of the bowlers as they could not stitch long and effective partnerships and there was not any individual brilliance either.

With that, Smriti Mandhana’s side collected all two points in their opening home game and they will be facing the Gujarat Giants in their second game of WPL 2024.