New Delhi: Royal Challengers Bangalore recorded their first victory against UP Warriorz in the WPL 2023 after five consecutive losses. Kanika Ahuja became the hero for RCB after she led the chase with her 46 off 30. Captain Smriti Mandhana was seen smiling again during the post-match presentation and her fans are happy to see the smile back.
As RCB won the game, fans shared Smriti Mandhana’s pictures and clips smiling after the game as she talked to Harsha Bhogle. Mandhana said that they were tensed but Kanika Ahuja and Richa Ghosh took them through. Being candid, she also mentioned that she was nervous initially and dedicated the win to the loyal fanbase who stood by their side in tough times.
The smile on Smriti Mandhana’s face after winning their first game of the WPL!#WPL2023 ?: Jio Cinema#CricketTwitter #RCB pic.twitter.com/uu4I62idWh
— Women’s CricZone (@WomensCricZone) March 16, 2023
Finally RCB won?
We are coming for the trophy. pic.twitter.com/wXBIRF29x4
— Hemant (@Sportscasmm) March 15, 2023
The happiness on the face of captain Smriti Mandhana after the 1st win. @mandhana_smriti#SmritiMandhana #RCBvUPW #RCB #WomensIPL #TATAIPL pic.twitter.com/UP25v3fNDP
— Kunal Pujara (@KunalPujara16) March 15, 2023
Hey, Smriti! Long time no smile ??
Keep smiling ??#SmritiMandhana #RCB #RCBvUPW #CricketTwitter #RCBW #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/zPZX4w2ndZ
— RCBIANS OFFICIAL WOMEN (@rcbianswomen) March 15, 2023
The happiness on the face of captain Smriti Mandhana after the 1st win. pic.twitter.com/TzQQIVi22C
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 15, 2023
I’m not a fan of RCB but very happy for Smriti Mandhana ?#RCBvUPW pic.twitter.com/DSZdKSQl9j
— Sir BoiesX ? (@BoiesX45) March 15, 2023
RCB Women celebrate their 1st WPL T20 victory. Congratulations to Royal Challengers Bangalore and Captain Smriti Mandhana ??#RCBvUPW #RCBW #WPL2023 pic.twitter.com/NrCUc454HV
— Ashutosh Srivastava ?? (@sri_ashutosh08) March 15, 2023
RCB’s star player Virat Kohli also had a pep talk with the team prior to the game and it proved to show results.
Virat Kohli’s pep talk to the RCB Women’s Team
King came. He spoke. He inspired. He’d be proud watching the girls play the way they did last night. Watch @imVkohli‘s pre-match chat in the team room on Bold Diaries.#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #WPL2023 pic.twitter.com/fz1rxZnID2
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) March 16, 2023
In the game, Sophie Devine gave a good start after dismissing Devika Vaidya and Alyssa Healy in the first over, followed by Tahilia McGrath’s dismissal by Megan Schutt in the next over. Sobhana Asha continued the collapse and took two quick wickets to leave UPW 31/5. It was the 69-run stand between Grace Harris and Deepti Sharma that helped UPW come back into the game. With Ellyse Perry picking up wickets in the death, UPW was restricted to 135.
It was not an easy chase for RCB after they lost their openers for 14. While Heather Knight’s 24(21) laid the stage, Kanika and Richa chased the total. Richa Ghosh stood till the end and scored 31*(32).
Mandhana got out for a duck and has not been able to make a mark in the tournament so far. With some weight off her shoulder now, she is expected to score big in the upcoming games.
