What a final that was! The shining stars of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) qualified for the final faceoff with Delhi Capitals (DC) after knocking out Mumbai Indians (MI) in the semi-finals.

Though the chances of RCB winning the finals against Delhi who have maintained their dominance throughout the tournament, seemed slim, under the leadership of Ellyse Perry, RCB snatched a historic win and lifted the trophy for the first time in 17 years!

The final was a heartwarming moment for cricket fans and especially RCB fans across the globe! With a close battle between the teams and 4 runs needed of 5 balls to win for RCB, Richa Ghosh’s winning shot made it to the boundary, securing the trophy for the first time in IPL history!

After the trophy presentation, a special moment unfolded: none other than the legendary Virat Kohli surprised the RCB team with a video call, congratulating them on their magnificent win! 

The sight of Kohli beaming with pride for the women’s franchise was a powerful symbol of RCB’s unified spirit.

Whatever the output was, Ellyse Perry was fierce throughout RCB’s title-winning season. It would not be wrong to say that she was the major driving force behind holding on to the team and pushing them towards victory.

Her bowling prowess and aggressive batting on the pitch also led her to be the ‘Orange Cup winner’ for the season. With a massive 347 runs in 9 games for WPL 2024, Perry rounded up 2 half-centuries for RCB, averaging 69.40.

If you were unable to watch yesterday’s jaw-dropping clash between RCB vs DC in the WPL finals 2024, we have got you covered! You can now watch cricket highlights India only at Winexch, a platform that brings you the unlimited joy of streaming live cricket for free, or watch cricket highlights today, from the comfort of your home!

RCB vs DC’s clash in the grand finale of WPL 2024: Delhi’s dominance crumbles

The toss went in favor of Capitals’ skipper Meg Lanning, who decided to bat first. Openers Meg Lanning and Shefali Verma provided the much-needed headstart to the team in the power-play overs.

Pocketing a good score of 44 runs by Shefali Verma in just 27 balls, she had to depart to the pavilion after a catch-out by Georgia Wareham. The blistering start that DC coupled up in the powerplay overs was shunned down after RCB orchestrated their flurry of wickets in the middle overs.

The turning moment of the match arrived when RCB’s spin duo of Sophie Molineux and Shreyanka Patil shook the very foundation of the team, claiming 7 vital wickets. Sophie single-handedly took 3 wickets in a single over, which drastically lowered Delhi’s dominating factor!

Jemmiah Rodrigues & Alice Capsey had to satisfy themselves with a duck and walk towards the pavilion, which was a major setback for Delhi, especially in the middle overs.

Patil Shined with mesmerizing figures of 4 wickets for 22 runs, while Molineux scalped 3 wickets for 18 runs in her four-over spell. Asha Sobhana also chipped in with 2 key wickets, leaving the Delhi batting lineup in disarray.

This spectacular collapse punctured Delhi’s momentum. The team that was standing strong at 64/0 had to depart completely with a mere total of 113.

Delhi has been two times losing finalists, and the team needs to buckle up, working on their strategic team planning and execution, to lift the trophy next year!

RCB’s chase towards the top: A calculated approach

While the target of 114 was not insurmountable, Delhi had harbored hopes for a spirited defense. RCB followed its usual slow and steady approach, which was a mix of caution and calculated aggression.

Openers Smriti Mandhana & Sophie Devine provided a solid partnership of 63 runs in the powerplay overs before they had to depart. Perry then took charge and anchored the innings, her experience proving vital on the big stage.

With Richa Ghosh and Ellyse Perry on the crease, RCB stormed to a momentous victory, watching their names in WPL folklore, with still eight wickets to spare. The duo collectively put up a total of 52 runs on the scoreboard.

RCB has climbed up the ladder to be among the most glorious teams of WPL 2024. With the ‘Orange cap’ being awarded to the highest run scorer, and the ‘Purple cap’ being awarded to the most wicket-taker of the tournament, both lie in the basket of RCB.

The awards are being rolled out to the two most crucial assets of RCB, Ellyse Perry and Shreyanka Patil respectively.

RCB is now basking in the glow of a maiden title, which will readily be appreciated by their male counterparts as they will even look forward to lift this season’s trophy in the IPL, which is ready to go off on March 22.

Did you miss this historic clash between RCB and DC? No worries! Watch cricket highlights today to witness the clash between RCB vs DC yesterday, how the match turned in a single over, and how Perry ushered the team to victory with her winning boundary!

Statistical highlights from the WPL Finals 2024

  • RCB’s dominant bowling: RCB bowlers restricted Delhi Capitals to a modest 113, a testament to their unwavering discipline and execution.
  • Patil’s magic: Shreyanka Patil’s ability to take 4 wickets giving away only 22 runs was the standout bowling performance, shattering the DC batting lineup.
  • Molineux’s spell: Sophie Molineux claimed 3/18, a crucial contribution that turned the match into RCB’s favor. 
  • Perry’s all-round performance: Ellyse Perry’s all-round performance (35 not out and figures of 1/23 in her spell) highlighted her immense value to the team.

RCB: A force to be reckoned with

The RCB franchise has made a powerful statement in the WPL. With a well-balanced team, inspiring leadership, and a hunger for success, they have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with. 

The victory not only marks a significant milestone in the IPL history but for the RCB team in general. This milestone for the franchise serves as a major boost for women’s cricket not only in India but also internationally. 

As the WPL 2024 curtains close, RCB has carved a special place in the hearts of cricket fans. Their journey to the championship was a display of grit, raw talent, and unwavering discipline. The women in ‘red and black’ have ignited a fire that promises to burn brightly in the seasons to come!

Watch cricket highlights today to see the highlights of yesterday’s grand finale between two deserving teams of RCB & DC. Keep your eyes glued on us, as we will bring you live updates as IPL 2024 is about to unleash its 17th season.