RCB stay unbeaten at the top as Mandhana, Voll seal easy win

Royal Challengers Bengaluru continued their dominant run in the Women’s Premier League as a sublime batting display from Smriti Mandhana guided them to an eight wicket victory over Delhi Capitals in Navi Mumbai on Saturday. The win was RCB’s fourth on the trot, keeping them firmly at the top of the Women’s Premier League points table, while Delhi Capitals remained rooted to the bottom with three defeats from four matches.

Asked to bat first, Delhi Capitals endured a nightmare start, losing their top order in quick succession. Lizelle Lee and Laura Wolvaardt were dismissed in the opening over, and the collapse deepened as Jemimah Rodrigues, Marizanne Kapp, Niki Prasad and Minnu Mani departed cheaply. At 74 for 6 inside nine overs, Delhi were staring at a below par total before Shafali Verma stepped in with a counter attacking effort.

Shafali fought a lone battle, striking a fluent 62 off 41 balls that included five fours and four sixes. She attempted to rebuild the innings with Niki Prasad and later with Sneh Rana, who contributed 22, while debutant Lucy Hamilton added valuable late runs with a brisk 36 off 19 balls. Delhi were eventually bowled out for 166, with Lauren Bell emerging as RCB’s most effective bowler, returning figures of 3 for 26.

RCB’s chase was briefly unsettled by the early dismissal of Grace Harris, but Smriti Mandhana and Georgia Voll soon took complete control of the contest. The pair added a decisive 142 run partnership for the second wicket, calmly dismantling the Delhi bowling attack and ensuring the target was well within reach.

Mandhana was at her elegant best, scoring 96 off 61 deliveries, an innings decorated with 13 fours and three sixes. She dictated the pace of the chase and ensured there was no pressure on the batting side. Voll played the perfect supporting role, growing in confidence as the innings progressed and finishing unbeaten on 54 off 42 balls, with five fours and two sixes.

Mandhana fell just four runs short of a deserved century, caught brilliantly by debutant Lucy Hamilton, but the outcome was already sealed. RCB reached 167 for 2 in 18.2 overs, winning with 10 balls to spare. Mandhana was named Player of the Match for her match winning knock, which also strengthened her position among the leading run scorers of the tournament, while Bell continued to feature prominently among the top wicket takers.