The year 2024 has certainly been full of surprises, and it was a thrilling women’s team that brought an end to Royal Challengers Bangalore’s 16-year drought, clinching their inaugural title in a captivating eight-wicket showdown against Delhi Capitals at the Women’s Premier League final. The atmosphere was electric, with an enthusiastic crowd witnessing history in the making as these determined athletes exceeded all expectations, igniting a wave of unparalleled excitement. This WPL team, donning the RCB insignia, injected fresh optimism into a franchise plagued by IPL setbacks, showcasing remarkable resilience and spirit.
The spin wizardry of Shreyanka Patil (4/12) and Sophie Molineux (3/20) orchestrated a stunning collapse for DC, limiting them to a mere 113 runs. While victory seemed imminent, RCB’s formalities were executed with finesse, led by the outstanding performances of captain Smriti Mandhana (31), Sophie Devine (32), and the dynamic Ellyse Perry (35 not out). With the scoreboard showing 115 for two in 19.3 overs, RCB’s triumph was more comfortable than the nail-biting final over had anticipated. The celebrations resonated throughout the packed Arun Jaitley Stadium and echoed in countless living rooms across Bangalore.
However, for the devoted RCB fans, this victory was not just an end but a new beginning. Their long-awaited success sparked a flurry of comeback memes, flooding social media platforms with enthusiasm and jubilation.