Royal Challengers Bengaluru head coach Malolan Rangarajan faced the media after his side’s shocking 7-wicket defeat to Delhi Capitals in Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 Match 15 at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara, on January 24.
The loss ended RCB’s five-match unbeaten streak, bundling them out for just 109 as Delhi Capitals’ bowlers, led by Nandani Sharma (3/26) and Minnu Mani (2/18), triggered a collapse of 8 wickets for 44 runs. Despite skipper Smriti Mandhana’s 38 off 34, RCB couldn’t post a competitive total. Laura Wolvaardt’s 42* and Marizanne Kapp’s all-round 2/17 & 19* sealed Delhi’s chase with 26 balls to spare. Rangarajan urged perspective, praising Delhi while dissecting RCB’s flaws.
Rangarajan opened by crediting the victors without excuses. “Yeah, first off, yeah, it was one of those games where you’d like it to happen sooner rather than later. But having said that, you have to give credit where it’s due. DC did outplay us in all three departments today, be it batting, bowling and fielding.” He noted the tricky pitch played its part, with RCB eyeing 140 absent dew, but their batting imploded post-Mandhana’s dismissal. Powerplay promises from Mandhana and Grace Harris faded into a horror show, leaving the coach to stress simple solutions ahead.
On the batting meltdown, Rangarajan defended his players’ intent. “The way we want to play, it sometimes might look like those were attacking shots. But you see the options they took, as long as the options that our batters took were within their game plan and their strengths, I’m OK with it.” He highlighted the need to evolve under pressure, pointing to past resilience where “every time we’ve encountered some challenge, somebody’s put their hand up.” Fielding lapses, like dropped catches, compounded the low total of 109, including 7 extras, with only Radha Yadav (18 off 17) and Georgia Voll (11 off 14) reaching double figures besides Mandhana.
Tactical calls drew scrutiny, from Richa Ghosh batting ahead of Yadav to holding back Shreyanka Patil. Rangarajan explained resource management: “We have to keep tabs on that; it felt as though if Richa Ghosh could get going and get about 20-30 quick runs at that time.” He praised Yadav’s prior 200 strike-rate knock and justified sending Sayali Satghare late, given balls remaining and matchups, though the slow pitch hindered scoring. In the chase, Satghare’s 2/18, dismissing Shafali Verma and Lizelle Lee, nearly sparked hope, but Delhi steadied and eventually got over the line comfortably.
Rangarajan glowed about wildcard star Satghare, RCB’s second-highest wicket-taker with 8 scalps at 8.25 average and 6.60 economy in three games. “Sayali is someone; she’s got six wickets in the powerplay now, in three innings. So that’s amazing returns, testing both edges of the bat.” Her journey from net bowler to XI mainstay, even retaining her spot over fit Arundhati Reddy, embodies RCB’s adaptability.
Looking ahead, playoff talk shifted to topping the table. “Qualification is important. But we are not here just to qualify. We want to seal the top spot. On being asked about the defeat, he responded calmly, “You’d rather have it earlier than later.” With the loss handing Delhi Capitals second place (6 points from 3 wins, 3 losses), RCB reflected before their next outing, turning this setback into fuel for the February 5 finale.
Loves all things female cricket