Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Smriti Mandana said she received unwavering support from the management after they failed to win the Women’s Super League title last year, which went a long way in their victory on Sunday. She said the 2023 campaign, which saw her team beat Delhi Capitals by eight wickets to claim the title here, “taught us a lot”. With this, the dynamic group at RCB managed to achieve what their men’s team had been unable to achieve for 16 years and Mandhana thanked their loyal fans for their continued support to the team. “Last year taught us a lot, as a player, as a captain and as a team. The management, the way they supported me in the post-season review… they’ve been through a lot, And thumbs up (to them),” Mandana said in his speech.

Regarding winning the championship, she said: “This feeling has not fully integrated yet, and it may take time. It is difficult for me to express it with many expressions. The only thing I want to say is that I am proud of this group of people.”

“We had our ups and downs but they persevered and the way we crossed the finish line (tonight) was fantastic. Our Bangalore stage was really good. We suffered twice (in Delhi) of defeat. That’s what we’re talking about.

“The last league game was like a quarter-final, then a semi-final, then a final. In games like this, you have to peak at the right time.” Spin pair Shreyanka Patil (4/12) and Sophie Molineux (3/20) helped RCB beat DC by 113 runs before talismanic skipper Mandhana (31), Sophie Devine (32) and Elysse Perry (35 not out) saw them return home with three wickets to spare.

Royal Challengers posted 115 for two in 19.3 overs, which was much easier than that final which looked to be a close one.

Mandana added: “It’s great for them (the management) to win this trophy. I’m not the only one to win the trophy, the team has won. For RCB as It’s really, really important for a team to win.” Special.

“This win is definitely one of the top five. The World Cup (win) will top it. I have a message for all the RCB fans, the most loyal fan base. Without their support none of this would be possible. Issa Sala Cup Namde (This time the cup will be ours) always comes up and now I just want to say Ee Sala Cup Namdu (This time the cup will be ours).” DC, led by Meg Lanning, will be She was disappointed to miss out on a chance to secure a runners-up spot in the 2023 WPL, but admitted her team’s performance on the day was outplayed.

Lanning said: “It was disappointing not to be able to finish tonight. We played some good cricket throughout the game but it wasn’t a great performance on the day. Congratulations to RCB, they beat us. But we can do our best Proud of the effort from start to finish.” Speaking of their batting collapse, she said: “It all happened relatively quickly, as it usually does. Crazy things happen, every game is so close. You can never rest and think everything is under control because there is so much going on. “Good team.

“They (RCB) deserved this win.”

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