Smriti Mandhana shares insights on RCB's WPL 2025 campaign
What's the story
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Smriti Mandhana has opened up on the team's up-and-down performance in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025.
After a promising start with two wins, RCB suffered five back-to-back defeats that cost them a spot in the knockout stage.
"Yeah, we were just having a joke post the match that we started the season on a high, ended it on high and midway, we just lost somewhere," Mandhana said after their final match against Mumbai Indians.
Challenges
RCB's struggles and missed opportunities
Mandhana admitted that the team's performance was affected by injuries to key players from last season, such as Asha Sobhana, Shreyanka Patil, and Sophie Molineux.
Moreover, RCB couldn't win a single home game in their four matches this season.
"I think in Bangalore, a lot of things didn't go our way," Mandhana said.
"But I am really proud of the way the team showed character," she added.
Team dynamics
Toss results and reliance on Ellyse Perry
The toss results also contributed to RCB's home performance, with the team losing all four tosses and being asked to bat first.
Mandhana's own form dipped during this period, forcing the team to depend heavily on Ellyse Perry for runs.
Despite this, Perry ended second among run-scorers this season and topped the overall WPL charts.
"Sometimes, there's something called cricketing God," Mandhana said. "We won [the title] last year by winning those moments."
Rising star
Richa Ghosh's impressive performance
Despite the team's struggles, Mandhana emphasized the influence of Richa Ghosh on the squad.
With a strike rate of 175.57, Ghosh contributed significantly with 230 runs off 131 balls.
"She is just amazing to watch," Mandhana said about Ghosh. "The way she can change the game single-handedly is a sight to watch."
This season may not have been what they hoped for, but it definitely highlighted some promising talent in their ranks.
2025 season
A look at RCB's 2025 WPL season
As mentioned, RCB did not qualify for the playoffs, finishing fourth on the points table with just three wins and six points.
Meanwhile, they got off to a great start, winning the first two matches by six wickets and eight wickets, respectively, against the Gujarat Giants and Delhi Capitals.
They then lost five matches on the trot, including a narrow super-over loss against UP Warriorz. However, the defending champions ended their season with an 11-run win against the Mumbai Indians.
Top performers
RCB's top performers this season
As mentioned, all-rounder Perry tops the team's run-scorers with 372 runs in eight innings at 93.
She also boasts a strike rate of 148.80 alongside four fifties.
She is followed by Richa Ghosh who hammered 230 runs (eight innings) at 38.33 while striking at 175.57 (two fifties).
With the ball, Renuka Thakur finished with the team's leading wicket-taker with 10 wickets in seven innings at 21.30.
Kim Garth follows with eight wickets (eight innings) at 30.25.