New Delhi, Feb 6 (UNI) India star batter Virat Kohli, along with former India cricketers Dinesh Karthik and Mithali Raj, lauded Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Women after their title-winning performance in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) final, describing the triumph as a significant moment for women’s cricket.
Taking to social media, Kohli congratulated captain Smriti Mandhana and the RCB squad for their second WPL title. “Champions again. Keeping the RCB flag flying high is something that each one of you can be proud of. To Smriti Mandhana and the whole squad and the management team, a big congratulations on this tremendous victory. You guys deserve this undoubtedly,” Kohli said.
Former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik described the final as a reflection of the rapid growth of women’s cricket since the inception of the league. He said RCB were the standout team throughout the tournament and also highlighted Delhi Capitals’ achievement of reaching four consecutive finals. Karthik added that the record-breaking run chase in the final underscored the rising standards across all facets of the women’s game.
Mithali Raj also praised Mandhana’s leadership on the biggest stage, crediting her for standing tall in crucial moments. The former India captain also acknowledged the Delhi Capitals for putting up a strong fight in a final worthy of the league.
In the title clash, RCB won the toss and elected to bowl first. Delhi Capitals made a positive start through Lizelle Lee (37 off 30 balls) and Shafali Verma (20 off 13 balls). A 76-run third-wicket partnership between skipper Jemimah Rodrigues, who scored 57 off 37 deliveries, and Laura Wolvaardt (44 off 35 balls) helped DC regain momentum.
This chase of 204 runs stands as the highest in WPL and IPL finals, surpassing Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) 200-run chase in the 2014 IPL final against Punjab Kings.
RCB’s chase also marks the first time that a target of above 175 has been chased down in any Women’s T20 final, leagues, or internationals.
