Smriti Mandhana, captain of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), champions of the 2024 season, stated her satisfaction with the team’s resilience in the WPL 2025. Despite not qualifying for the playoffs, RCB concluded their season positively with a victory over Mumbai Indians. Mandhana pointed out that narrow defeats were detrimental to their playoff aspirations but commended her team members for their unity and perseverance during challenging times.
Reflecting on the season, Mandhana humorously noted the team’s strong start and finish, contrasting with a weaker mid-season performance. She acknowledged the significant team changes since the previous auction, requiring strategic adjustments. While optimistic after their initial performance, Mandhana admitted that home games in Bangalore presented unforeseen difficulties. However, she reiterated her pride in the team’s displayed character.
Mandhana emphasized the demoralizing effect of losing close matches, particularly the initial matches of the season. Despite these setbacks, she praised the team’s sustained positive attitude and determination to win until their final game in Lucknow. As captain, she valued the team’s solidarity, recognizing that team cohesion is paramount, regardless of wins or losses in franchise cricket.
RCB commenced their campaign impressively with two consecutive wins. However, a subsequent series of five losses, including four at their home ground, M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, diminished their chances of advancing to the playoffs. Mandhana identified the initial home defeats, specifically close games against Mumbai Indians and UP Warriorz, as pivotal moments that negatively impacted RCB’s season.
Mandhana recalled that similar close matches were won by RCB in the previous season, attributing this year’s turning point to the inability to seize crucial moments in the initial Bangalore games. She highlighted the matches where victory seemed within reach until the final overs, underscoring the unpredictable nature of cricket and the significance of capitalizing on key moments.
In conclusion, Mandhana refrained from assigning blame, emphasizing collective responsibility for both successes and failures. She admitted her ownFormular as a batter during the mid-season and stressed the importance of team contribution. As captain, she concluded that the team’s inability to dominate critical moments throughout the tournament was a key learning point for future improvement.
