The defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru began their 2025 Women’s Premier League (WPL) campaign on a high note, securing back-to-back victories against Gujarat Giants and Delhi Capitals in their opening matches at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara. These commanding performances not only set the tone for their title defense but also propelled them to the top of the points table with a formidable net run rate.
However, their subsequent performance during the home leg at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium told a different story, with the team suffering four consecutive defeats and slipping to fourth place in the standings.
In their first home game against Mumbai Indians, RCB set a target of 167 runs, thanks largely to a spectacular knock by Ellyse Perry, who single-handedly anchored the innings with an unbeaten 81 off 43 balls. Despite Georgia Wareham’s impressive three-wicket haul they couldn’t defend the total, with Mumbai Indians clinching the match by four wickets in a closely contested finish.
Next up against UP Warriorz, this thrilling encounter saw both teams end their innings with identical scores, leading to a Super Over. RCB set a target of 180, spearheaded by Ellyse Perry’s heroic 90*. However, a down and out UP clinched victory from the jaws of defeat with all-rounder Sophie Ecclestone scoring a 33(19), pushing the game into a super over, the first ever for the tournament. When it came to the tiebreaker, Richa Ghosh and Smriti Mandhana failed to chase down nine runs in the Super Over which handed RCB another heartbreaking defeat.
RCB’s struggles continued into their next match against Gujarat Giants, where they failed to find momentum, managing a modest total of 125, with the batting faltering. Kanika Ahuja was the lone bright spot, top scoring with 33 runs. The Gujarat Giants capitalized on this, chasing down the target comfortably with six wickets in hand as captain Ashleigh Gardner scored a winning 58, also winning the player of the match.
In their final home game, against Delhi Capitals, RCB posted 147 runs with Ellyse Perry once again stepping up and scoring a resilient 60*. However, the Delhi Capitals showcased a dominant batting display, achieving the target with nine wickets to spare, marking a comprehensive victory over the hosts. Capitals stars Verma and Jonassen set the highest-ever partnership in WPL history of 146* runs steering the team to victory.
Reflecting on the dismal home leg, RCB’s captain Smriti Mandhana, who has had an underwhelming season so far with just 140 runs in six matches (apart from one match-winning 81 against DC in Vadodara), expressed her disappointment.
“I would just say sorry; they (fans) came out in huge numbers. We could not win a match for them in Bengaluru, but in cricket, you have to keep the past aside. We have to forget that (and move ahead). They are still chanting (our name) and that is why they are the best fans in the world,” Mandhana said in the post-match presentation ceremony.
With two crucial games remaining, RCB will be aiming to turn their fortunes around as they head to Lucknow. They face UP Warriorz on March 8 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, followed by a showdown against Mumbai Indians on March 11 at Brabourne Stadium. Given the week-long break before their next match, RCB has ample time to regroup and strategize.
Reflecting on the same, Mandhana said, “We all have a week off, so a lot of reflection for sure. That is how cricket is, you start the way you want to, but it is really hard for the fans, they came out in huge numbers and supported us. Hopefully, we can get something in the next few games.”
As the tournament nears its decisive phase, RCB will hope to stage a comeback and defend their title.
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