The seventh match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 at the iconic M.Chinnaswamy Stadium treated the cricket enthusiasts to a breathtaking display of power-hitting, as players from both Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Delhi Capitals (DC)showcased their skills in a sensational showdown. In the end, it was Delhi Capitals who emerged victorious in a high-scoring thriller.
Shafali Verma’s gritty fifty and support from teammates
Asked to bat first, Delhi Capitals set a formidable target of 195 for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. The innings was marked by explosive performances, with Shafali Verma leading the charge with a scintillating half-century, scoring 50 off 31 balls. Alice Capsey and Jess Jonassen also contributed significantly with 46 (33) and 36 (16), respectively. Marizanne Kapp showcased her prowess with the bat as well and added a quick 32 runs off 16 deliveries.
The RCB bowlers struggled to contain the Delhi batters, despite Sophie Devine and Nadine de Klerk picking up two wickets each and the total of 194-5 set the stage for a riveting contest.
Marizanne Kapp’s brilliance outshines Smriti Mandhana’s valiant effort
In pursuit of the challenging target, the Royal Challengers Bangalore had their work cut out. Smriti Mandhana, the captain, led from the front with a dazzling display of power-hitting, scoring a blistering 74 off 43 balls. Devine chipped in with 23 off 17 balls, but it was Kapp who emerged as the game-changer, not only contributing with the bat but also showcasing her bowling skills, finishing with figures of 2/35. She took the priced wickets of Smriti and Richa Ghosh to shift the momentum in Delhi’s favour during a crucial juncture of the game.
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RCB suffers first loss
Although the match went down to the last over, some tight bowling and a crucial wicket by Kapp ensured that Delhi Capitals emerged victorious by 25 runs as the Bangalore-based team suffered their first loss in WPL 2024.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Queen in the South @mandhana_smriti 💥🔆😍#WPL2024 #RCBvsDCW https://t.co/c4r7Upk8mg
— Ridhima Pathak (@PathakRidhima) February 29, 2024
A super Smriti knock, Shafali madness, Marizanne Kapp being Marizanne Kapp. Those monster sixes from Richa Ghosh and Sophie Devine. Unreal atmosphere. Terrific Chinnaswamy day, that. #WPL2024
— Aaditya Narayan (@AadityaN_28) February 29, 2024
Marizanne Kapp’s quickfire 32 off 16 balls made a huge difference in her team’s victory, while S Meghna’s slow 36 off 31 balls led her team to defeat. This is a classic case of how an inning shapes the game. S Meghna’s batting was simply awful. RCB could have won if she had shown…
— Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952_) February 29, 2024
SMRITI MANDHANA – ORANGE CAP HOLDER IN WPL 2024. 👌 #อุงเอิง #AFGvIRE #RCBvDC pic.twitter.com/W0NeeJsHIM
— Rajan Mishra (@RajanMi83929551) February 29, 2024
Marizanne Kapp the Game Changer Tonight.
Played Important Knock of 32(16) and picked 2 big Wickets of Smriti Mandhana & Richa Ghosh.#WPL2024— Abhimanyu (@abhimanyusrt) February 29, 2024
Marizanne Kapp is a cheat code lol
— Niraj (@nirrrajjj) February 29, 2024
Marizanne Kapp is the best all rounder to grace WPL imo.
— Agent Kyle (@jocularYeah) February 29, 2024
Delhi capitals won by 25 Runs ✅
Note -RCB never defeated Delhi capitals at Chinnaswamy 😂
Marizanne Kapp you absolute beauty 💙#WPL2024 pic.twitter.com/nroBgwqcvs
— KrrishnaTweets (@KAakrosh) February 29, 2024
Show me a more passionate wicket celebrator than Marizanne Kapp…I’ll wait…#WPL #WPL2024 #TATAWPL
— Georgie Heath🎙️ (@GeorgieHeath27) February 29, 2024
Very well played captain ❤️
WELL FOUGHT, SMRITI MANDHANA 👌– 74 runs from just 43 balls while chasing a huge total with 195 runs, a lone warrior for RCB in a pressure situation, she leads by example.#WPL2024 #TATAWPL #CricketTwitter #Cricket
— MSD lover (@JassPreet96) February 29, 2024
Well played Mandhana👏
Audacious!#RCB #WPL #WPL2024 #TATAWPL— Saresh🇮🇳 (@CricSar) February 29, 2024
Queen Smirti 😍
Bashing ballers and haters 🔥
#WPL2024 #RCBWvsDCW pic.twitter.com/Zx4HAWQCU8— Alone-Aditya (@Alone_Aditya_77) February 29, 2024
Captain Smriti Mandhana Got Standing Ovaition👏 Well played champ❤️Captain leads from the front, She gets what a time to bring up while chasing🔥👌Yes queen missed century but, She stoled whole show❤️🥹Smriti what a Innings 74 Runs and now leading run scorer of WPL 🙌🏻#WPL2024 pic.twitter.com/LLrMUAahCX
— Spandana Gowda (@SpandanaGo81219) February 29, 2024
Marizanne Kapp is playing a blinder. 32 off 14 already #WPL #RCBWvsDCW
— vishal kumar (@vishalsah1986) February 29, 2024
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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.