The Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) wait is now over as they thump down their WPL 2023 campaign with a resounding victory over the UP Warriorz. Smriti Mandhana-led side won the fixture for the first time thanks to a spirited chase by Kanika Ahuja and Richa Ghosh.
As Sophie Devine left the field in the chase’s exciting opening over, RCB’s modest total chase got off to a shaky start. After being knocked for a three-ball duck by Deepti Sharma in the very next over, Smriti Mandhana’s batting ordeal continued.
During their brief stand for the third wicket, Ellyse Perry and Heather Knight helped to steady the ship. But Bangalore seemed to be in a pickle after their swift series of departures. Kanika Ahuja, the 20-year-old who anchored the chase for her side with complete nonchalance, emerged as the new star for RCB.
Another young talent, Richa Ghosh, bravely complemented the southpaw in the middle. Richa masterfully steered and directed the chase from the other end, leading her team to their first victory of the competition even though Kanika came just four short of a spectacular half-century.
In the post-match presentation, Mandhana said, “Yeah, it was tense. We lost a couple of wickets in the 7th over; it was a bit nervous. But the way Kanika and Richa played was brilliant. Kanika in particular, really proud of her. Really excited to see her bat, the approach she has.”
“She is a 360-degree player, who isn’t the most common in Indian cricket. Really impressed with her and the belief she has. Even when we have not been in great positions, the crowd keep chanting for us. Really happy for this loyal support base, not a lot of teams will have supporters turn up in such high numbers after losing five games,” she added.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the first win of RCB in the season today:
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
#EllysePerry shines as #RCB end their losing streak 🔥#CricketWithCKK | #TATAWPL | #UPWvRCB | #WPL | #RCB pic.twitter.com/kkPg15QJNV
— Cricket Ki Kahani (@CricketKK_) March 15, 2023
Fantastic win #RCB ! Well deserved. Keep up the momentum till the end @EllysePerry you bowled at a crucial time , so nice 👍 very happy with the win #RCBW https://t.co/vJ3bmKPNJ9
— Niranjan Raj Urs C G ನಿರಂಜನ ರಾಜ್ ಅರಸ್ (@NiranjanaRajUrs) March 15, 2023
Finally we witnessed a winning smile on her face 😊#WPL2023 pic.twitter.com/RiLcWH8Aoc
— Samarth (@sammy7997) March 15, 2023
Keep smiling SM, pls.
— Shivi #WPL #AaliRe (@Harman_stan) March 15, 2023
I know champ you will be back with a bang!! ❤#SmritiMandhana #UPWvRCB #WPL2023 pic.twitter.com/fHIRih464u
Pamper her as much as possible she deserves every bit of it. Please @RCBTweets let her bowl a bit also!.#WPL2023 #UPWvRCB pic.twitter.com/0XP4XjemuK
— Shivi #WPL #AaliRe (@Harman_stan) March 15, 2023
Please.. How Cutely she is asking for the suggestions! 😭 I guess, the Pink colour loves her a li'l too much! 💗😂 But, honestly, She seems to be indeed rocking it! 🤟 And, on the field toh she is simply k i l l i n g it with her performance! 🔥🔥#EllysePerry #WPL2023 #RCBW https://t.co/MTqfPuSC3S
— A Dreamer's Musings! ♥️🦋 (@DreamerMusings2) March 15, 2023
I see that RCB have won their first match,oh the tears of happiness.#WPL2023 pic.twitter.com/Zu9g76HD2q
— Akash (@Akashkumarjha14) March 15, 2023
This feeling is❤️💙#RCB#TATAWPL#UPWvRCB https://t.co/wsM5Nq5MyV
— Heavenly (@heavenly01234) March 15, 2023
#ViratKohli's motivational words did the trick as #RCB finally registered their first win of the Women's Premier League.#UPWvRCB #WPL #WPL2023 #Cricket pic.twitter.com/0WAVv3zpck
— JayNsa (@JayNsa2) March 15, 2023
#RCB fans after winning their first game in #WPL2023 –#RCBvUPW #RoyalChallengersBangalore #TATAWPL pic.twitter.com/BrcOfliyHY
— CricCineHub 🎬 🏏 🍿 (@CricCineHub) March 15, 2023
What a lovely win for the #RCB #TATAWPL Finally they are up and running. The young guns delivering for the team. Well done Kanika Ahuja, Richa Ghosh and Shreyanka Patil @RCBTweets #UPWvRCB
— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) March 15, 2023
What a knock by Kanika Ahuja as she smashes 46 from 30 balls and earns a well-deserved Player Of The Match award for RCB's exciting win in the tournament! #RCB #wpl #wpl23 #KanikaAhuja #PlayerOfTheMatch #wpl2023 pic.twitter.com/ZiwNhCzBy1
— MiThu Singh (@smithunkkumar) March 15, 2023
If you decide to credit RCB’s victory to the pep talks from others, then do it without bias 😜#MegLanning #ViratKohli #RCB #WPL #TATAWPL #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/uP5ObCCeay
— Verified weird-ass™ (@weirdodan) March 15, 2023
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