By Victoria Hamilton 
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) continued their impressive start to the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025, securing a commanding eight-wicket win over Delhi Capitals (DC) in Match 4 at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara.
Smriti Mandhana led from the front with a blistering 81 off 47 balls, recording her fastest WPL half-century in just 27 deliveries. Alongside Danni Wyatt-Hodge (42 off 33), Mandhana set the perfect foundation for RCB’s second straight victory, chasing down the target with 22 balls to spare.
Renuka and Wareham Set Up RCB’s Win
RCB’s dominance began with a clinical bowling performance, spearheaded by Renuka Singh Thakur (3-23) and Georgia Wareham (3-25). Their efforts restricted DC to 141 all out in 19.3 overs, preventing any late acceleration from the opposition.
Mandhana, electing to field first after winning the toss, saw her bowlers make an immediate impact. Renuka struck on the first ball of the innings, dismissing Shafali Verma for a golden duck.
Despite a fighting partnership between Meg Lanning and Jemimah Rodrigues, who added 55 runs in the powerplay, RCB wrestled back control through smart bowling changes and disciplined fielding.
DC Collapse After Strong Start
Rodrigues looked in sublime touch before Richa Ghosh’s sharp stumping off Wareham broke the momentum. Lanning soon followed, and from 69/3 in nine overs, DC found themselves struggling at 87/5 inside 12 overs.
Ekta Bisht (2-30) and Kim Garth (2-24) further dented DC’s hopes, removing key international stars Annabel Sutherland, Marizanne Kapp, and Jess Jonassen. With just four overs remaining at 117/6, DC failed to capitalize, losing wickets at regular intervals to be bowled out for 141.
Mandhana and Wyatt-Hodge Seal RCB’s Win in Style
RCB’s chase was dominated by their openers, with Mandhana taking charge from the outset. She played an array of elegant strokes, smashing 10 boundaries and three sixes in her match-winning innings.
Wyatt-Hodge provided solid support, contributing 42 off 33 balls as the duo put on 107 runs for the first wicket in just 10 overs.
Despite Mandhana’s dismissal at 137/2, Richa Ghosh (9)* once again provided the finishing touch, sealing the win with a six, just as she did in the season opener. RCB wrapped up the chase in 16.2 overs, maintaining their unbeaten start to WPL 2025.
Key Performances:
Smriti Mandhana: 81 (47) – Fastest WPL fifty in 27 balls
Renuka Singh Thakur: 3-23 – Struck on first ball, crucial breakthroughs
Georgia Wareham: 3-25 – Key middle-order dismissals
Danni Wyatt-Hodge: 42 (33) – Strong opening stand with Mandhana
Jemimah Rodrigues: 34 (25) – DC’s top scorer
Brief Scores:
Delhi Capitals: 141/10 (Jemimah Rodrigues 34, Sarah Bryce 23, Renuka Singh 3-23, Wareham 3-25)
RCB: 146/2 in 16.2 overs (Smriti Mandhana 81, Danni Wyatt-Hodge 42, Arundhati Reddy 1-25)
Zainab Shafiq