March 17, 2025, marks a historic milestone for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and its fans as they celebrate the one-year anniversary of their maiden Women’s Premier League (WPL) title triumph.
On this day in 2024, RCB etched their name in history by sealing the victory in grand style. Their journey to glory was defined by resilience, stellar performances, and an unwavering team spirit, making their championship win a moment to remember for fans and players alike.
Smriti Mandhana and company broke the jinx for Royal Challengers Bengaluru and lifted their maiden WPL title by defeating Delhi Capitals by 8 wickets.
Batting first in the final, Delhi Capitals were off to a flier as openers Shafali Verma and Meg Lanning forged a partnership of 64 runs by the end of the seventh over. Left-arm orthodox Sophie Molineux dismissed the dangerous looking Verma and allowed the floodgates to open as well. From 64-0 to 64-3, the Challengers swept the momentum from the opposition.
The next-in line batters failed to recover from the jolts posted by the pair Sophie Molineux-Shreyanka Patil and the Capitals were ultimately all-out on 113 after the completion of 18.3 overs. Patil finished with inspiring figures of 4/12 while Player of the Match Sophie Molineux bagged 3 wickets from her 4-overs quota.
A complete team performance in the season of 2024 was instrumental in helping the Challengers win the cup. Ellyse Perry led the charge with the bat, smashing 347 runs from 9 innings at a stupendous average of 69.40 and was crowned with the Orange Cap as well. Captain Mandhana too, was among the top 5 run-getters of the season, playing a crucial role in staging a perfect platform for the middle order batters.
The bowlers, especially the spinners, did a remarkable job in this triumph. A young Shreyanka Patil led the bowling attack of the team and claimed the Purple Cap, finishing as the highest wicket- taker. Asha Sobhana and Sophie Molineux provided able support from the other end with regular breakthroughs as both finished the season with 12 scalps from 10 matches.
After the league stage came to an end, RCB finished third position in the points tally. They won the Eliminator against defending champions Mumbai Indians and then toppled the table toppers, the consistent Delhi Capitals, to win the title.
The Challengers’ long-awaited title triumph was an emotional rollercoaster, not just for the cricketers but for their ever-loyal fan base, which had stood by them through the lowest of lows.
For a team that had been labeled as underachievers despite boasting some of the most decorated players of the world, this victory was more than just a championship win—it was the breaking of a long-standing jinx that had haunted them for the past 16 years in the Indian franchise-based cricket ecosystem. The win was a moment of pure ecstasy for everyone who has supported the team in every circumstance.
A year after Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s historic championship triumph, young sensation Shreyanka Patil took to Instagram to relive the unforgettable nostalgic moment, sharing a photo of the team posing on the podium as champions after winning their maiden title.
In the caption, the right-arm off-break bowler reflected on the significance of March 17, the memorable day in her life, calling it a day she would never forget. Her ability to deliver under pressure made her a key ingredient in the team’s bowling attack, and as she looked back on that night of glory, it was evident that the memories of lifting the trophy remained just as vivid as ever.
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