After being chastised for their lack of trophy success in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Royal Challenger Bengaluru finally tasted success in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). The Bengaluru team, led by Smriti Mandhana, silenced its critics by winning the WPL 2024 championship, giving the team the long-awaited glory it had desired.
Heading into the WPL 2025 season, the expectations were high but what followed was utter disappointment as Bengaluru crashed out after a strong start to finish second last in the league table, unable to qualify for the Playoffs, finishing with three wins from their 8 league games.
RCB started their title defence with a record chase in the season opener against Gujarat Giants, where Richa Ghosh, Ellyse Perry and Kanika Ahuja saw the Bengaluru team chase down 201 with 9 balls to spare. They then picked up a comprehensive win against the Delhi Capitals in their second game as the reigning champions were looking in stunning form before their old rivals, Mumbai Indians halted their run, stealing a narrow win.
A Sophie Ecclestone special saw the UP Warriorz steal a win against Mandhana’s girls in the first-ever Super Over of the WPL before they lost three more games to make it five back-to-back losses which ended their hopes of making it to the Playoffs. They did play spoilsport though, registering a win in their final game against Mumbai to deny them a chance to finish as table toppers, but it was far from what RCB wanted.
In a video shared by RCB on the social media channels, their team captain Smriti Mandhana, Ellyse Perry and coach Luke Williams shared their thoughts about the season, looking back at a season which slipped away from them.
Their captain, Smriti Mandhana, had a less than impressive season, by her standards with the Indian batter finishing with 197 runs from the 8 games at an average of 24.62 with the best score of 81. Mandhana spoke about the team’s performance in the season and highlighted the team’s mood even during the low phases.
“We started off on a high, winning the first two matches and really thought we are in it this season. (But) I was really proud and happy the way the girls were, really positive and helping each other out and that’s a sign of a good team,” said Mandhana.
If there was one bright shining star in RCB’s otherwise dismal season, it would have to be Australian superstar Ellyse Perry. Regarded as one of the finest ever to play the women’s game, Perry finished her WPL 2025 campaign with 372 runs at an incredible average of 93, with four scores of 50+ and also chipped in with the ball, picking up three wickets.
“I think all in all, you’ve got to be really grateful and positive for the opportunity to play in this competition. It’s such a tough competition, five teams, all with incredible depth and if you don’t make use of the opportunities when they present themselves, it’s really tough to make the Finals. I think there’s a couple of games there (WPL 2025) that we let slip. We’ve played some really good cricket, in patches for sure and hopefully that’s been entertaining for the fans,” said Perry.
Another highlight for RCB in a season with not so many was their two Indian stars, Renuka Singh Thakur and Richa Ghosh and their performances. Singh ended her campaign as RCB’s second highest wicket taker behind Georgia Wareham and was key with the new ball up front, helping the team get crucial breakthroughs. Thakur finishes with 10 wickets from 7 games at an average of 21.30.
“In particular, the way Renuka bowled this season was brilliant. She was the leader of our attack a lot of the times, and took quite a few wickets as well,” shared Perry about Singh’s performance.
Singh herself acknowledged Perry’s support and mentioned that she came in being mentally prepared well about her plans and what she needed to work on. Mandhana spoke highly about the Indian seamer as well, highlighting Singh’s bowling in the Powerplay.
Along with Perry, RCB’s wicket-keeper Richa Ghosh finished as the team’s second highest run scorer, finishing with 230 runs at an average of 38.33 with an incredible strike-rate of 175.57. Mandhana shared her thoughts about Ghosh as well.
“I don’t know if we have to still talk about Richa Ghosh,” jokes Mandhana. “She’s just amazing and just to watch her going about her business (is great).”
To sign off, Perry spoke about RCB’s incredible fan base and how the fans always have had their team’s back, despite results not going their way and thanked them for the same.
“People are jealous of just how amazing our support is, the fans. To know that we’ve got that even when we don’t play that well, can think of a couple of games where we were probably out of the match and the fans were still there, cheering till the last ball. With the banners and all that kind of stuff so incredibly grateful for that,” said Perry.
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