WPL 2025: Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women vs Delhi Capitals Women, Match 14 - Who Said What?
Shafali Varma and Jess Jonassen's unbeaten 146-run stand is the highest partnership in run chases in the WPL history.
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The women's T20 cricket extravaganza aka Women's Premier League (WPL 2025) has witnessed some riveting contests between the teams in the last few days. The thrilling journey of the tournament moved on with Match 14, where the Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (RCB-W) hosted Delhi Capitals Women (DC-W), at the renowned M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru. Notably, the game was played on Saturday, March 1.
Talking Points
1. Smriti fails, Perry shines with bat yet again
During the match proceedings, DC skipper Meg Lanning called it right at the toss and decided to field first. The decision seemed right at first when pacer Shikha Pandey got RCB captain Smriti Mandhana to edge one through to wide slip to none other than Lanning for a bright start. However, Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Ellyse Perry got things on track with their 44-run stand for the second wicket, before Marizanne Kapp dismissed Wyatt-Hodge in the eighth over. But Raghvi Bisht played a supportive role for Perry and the legendary Australian continued her sublime form in the WPL 2025. Eventually, Perry finished with yet another unbeaten half-century (60* runs off 47 balls) to help RCB Women post a competitive total of 147.
2. Shree Charani impresses with her bowling on her WPL debut
Talking of notable bowling performances for Delhi, apart from Pandey and Kapp, the 20-year-old young Indian left-arm orthodox spinner Nallapureddy Shree Charani rose to the occasion and delivered with the ball for her side. The debutant claimed two wickets (2/28) during her bowling spell in the form of Raghvi Bisht and Richa Ghosh.
3. Shafali-Jonassen's unbeaten stand, DC-W qualify for playoffs
Delhi Capitals Women did not have an apt start in the run chase as they too lost their captain Meg Lanning (2 runs off 12 balls) early who continued her rough form with the bat in the tournament. Thereafter, unbeaten fifties from explosive opener Shafali Varma (80* runs off 43 balls) and all rounder Jess Jonassen (61* off 38 balls) did not allow RCB bowlers to inflict any damage further as the duo stitched an unbeaten match-winning stand of 146* runs to pick a dominating win over the hosts. Notably, this was also the highest partnership in a run chase in the league's history.
With this win, DC-W have qualified for the WPL 2025 playoffs round while the defending champions, RCB Women, suffered their fourth successive defeat in the home leg of the ongoing Women's T20 cricket caravan. Meanwhile here is what both captains and the 'Player of the Match' (POTM) had to say regarding how the match panned out.
Who Said What?
Meg Lanning, Delhi Capitals and Winning Skipper, said
Back-to-back games, wanted to come here tonight and continue the momentum we built last night. Probably weren't at our best on the field, but it wasn't through lack of effort. I thought everybody turned up today with a great mindset. We've been able to take wickets upfront which has put the brakes on teams. And we've been consistent with the wickets through the innings as well. It's a different person each game. We don't rely on one or two players. That's been the strength for us. She's done an excellent job (Jonassen). She's come in and played beautifully, taken the pressure off and looked to score as soon as she's come in. Certainly putting her hand up to keep doing it (batting at three). We'll have a couple of days off. Been a hectic tournament, will be nice to have a couple of days off.
Smriti Mandhana, Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women and Losing Skipper, said
On the batting) Pez batted really well to get us to that score. We could have gotten a better start from me as well. Batting wise, on that wicket, in the first innings, I thought 145 was a good effort. It did play a little on the slower side. We could have been better at adapting to the situation. We knew it was going to be the fourth match (on that pitch) but we could not (adapt). (On if retiring out Bist was an idea that was discussed) Not really. Raghvi is a 20-year-old and was trying her best, so we did not think (about that). We backed her to go for those sixes and the way she ended her innings was good (for her). (On Renuka) She has been brilliant throughout the six matches. She has bowled the tough overs in the powerplay, and has been brilliant. Hopefully we can back her up with some good performances from the others as well. (On going to Lucknow) We all have a week off, so a lot of reflection for sure. That is how cricket is, you start the way you want to but it is really hard for the fans, they came out in huge numbers and supported us. Hopefully we can get something in the next few games. (On the message to the fans) I would just say sorry, they came out in huge numbers. We could not win a match for them in Bengaluru, but in cricket, you have to keep the past aside. We have to forget that (and move ahead). They are still chanting (our name) and that is why they are the best fans in the world.
Shafali Varma, Player of the Match (80* Not Out), said
Feels good to have won it for the team. I feel very happy when the team wins. There was movement early on, so I wanted to stay calm. See off a couple of balls. And keep talking to my partner. Our focus was on taking as many singles as possible, and capitalise on the loose balls. Want to keep doing the same going ahead - react to the ball. If the target was 170-180, we would've been under pressure to go hard in the powerplay. But it was 140, so I thought I can take it deep as it's not that difficult.
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