NEW DELHI: Smriti Mandhana delivered a spectacular 47-ball 81, main Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a convincing eight-wicket win in opposition to Delhi Capitals within the Ladies’s Premier League on Monday. RCB’s bowling unit, spearheaded by Renuka Singh (3/23) and Georgia Wareham (3/25), displayed precision to dismiss Delhi for 141 in 19.Three overs.
The opening partnership between Smriti and Danni Wyatt-Hodge (42 from 33 balls; 7×4) made mild work of the goal, constructing a formidable 107-run stand in 55 balls earlier than Richa Ghosh (11 not out from 5 balls) accomplished the chase with a six in 16.2 overs.
Smriti, India’s vice-captain, struck 10 fours and three sixes, showcasing her prowess via sweeps, inside-out drives, and a commanding pull shot in opposition to Marizanne Kapp over deep mid-wicket.
She achieved her quickest fifty of the event in 27 balls, establishing RCB’s authoritative chase.
Danni supplied wonderful help with seven boundaries, sustaining the run charge. The English batter obtained a reprieve when Jemimah Rodrigues dropped a simple catch at long-off with Danni on 34. Their outstanding opening partnership in 10 overs left Delhi struggling.
RCB reached 50 runs inside 5 overs, sustaining fixed strain.
Smriti’s highly effective six in opposition to Arundhati Reddy over long-off demonstrated her intent, adopted by consecutive boundaries off Shikha Pandey.
The choice to bowl first proved advantageous for RCB.
The presence of dew hampered Delhi’s bowlers, notably affecting the spinners, enabling Smriti and Danni to regulate the chase. This decisive victory highlighted RCB’s batting power and bowling excellence, putting them on the high with two wins from two matches.
Earlier, Delhi began nicely after being requested to bat, scoring 55/1 within the powerplay, however RCB struck twice within the seventh over, initiating a collapse.
Jemimah, who scored a fluent 34 off 22 balls (4×4, 2×6), was stumped by Richa throughout an tried reverse sweep. 5 deliveries later, captain Meg Lanning departed for 18, miscuing a brief ball from Georgia Wareham to Ellyse Perry at sq. leg.
Renuka maintained her effectiveness, eradicating Annabel Sutherland (19) within the 11th over, shortly after she had hit Bisht for a six. The Indian bowler had began strongly, dismissing Shafali Verma for a golden duck within the first over.
Regardless of surviving an LBW enchantment earlier, Jemimah’s wicket shifted momentum in the direction of RCB. Lanning performed elegantly whereas rebuilding, however Delhi misplaced their last 5 wickets inside six overs underneath constant strain.
Sarah Bryce contributed 23 from 19 balls, however fell to Wareham as Delhi failed to finish their innings.
