Smriti Mandhana, captain of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), acknowledged the team’s disappointing Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 campaign, where they finished near the bottom of the table despite being the defending champions. RCB began the season promisingly with two victories but then suffered a series of five consecutive defeats, ultimately costing them a spot in the knockout stage.
Despite the setbacks, Mandhana presented a composed and insightful perspective at the post-match press conference following their final game – a win against Mumbai Indians. She adopted a philosophical tone, suggesting that small margins and missed opportunities at crucial moments could have dramatically changed their season’s trajectory, perhaps even leading them to the top of the league.
“It’s funny, we were just joking after the last match that our season was like starting and ending on a positive note, but somewhere in the middle, we lost our way,” Mandhana commented. She felt this accurately summarized their WPL 2025 journey. Considering the significant changes to their squad after the auction, she recognized the challenges they faced. However, their initial wins gave her hope for a successful season.
RCB faced further difficulties with injuries to key players such as Asha Sobhana, Shreyanka Patil, and Sophie Molineux, all of whom were instrumental in their previous title victory. Adding to their woes was their winless record at their home ground in Bengaluru, a stark contrast to the previous season where they enjoyed strong home support.
The home leg proved particularly painful as RCB suffered narrow defeats in front of their local fans. They lost a close match to Mumbai Indians by four wickets in the final over and experienced a heartbreaking tie against UP Warriorz, which they ultimately lost in a Super Over.
Mandhana reflected on their home struggles, stating, “I think in Bangalore, things just didn’t go our way.” Nevertheless, she expressed pride in the team’s resilience and character, especially after enduring several close losses. She highlighted the team’s positive attitude despite the setbacks, emphasizing that team unity is paramount, regardless of wins or losses in franchise cricket.
Another factor that didn’t favor RCB at home was the coin toss. Teams consistently opted to chase, and with favorable batting conditions, chasing teams found success. Unfortunately for RCB, they lost all four tosses at home and were put in to bat each time. Mandhana also experienced a dip in her personal form during this home stretch, increasing the team’s reliance on Ellyse Perry for scoring, though their totals often proved insufficient.
Ellyse Perry’s exceptional batting performance was a bright spot for RCB. She emerged as one of the leading run-scorers in the tournament and topped the overall WPL run charts.
Mandhana mused on the unpredictable nature of cricket, mentioning the role of luck or “cricketing Gods.” She believes that while they did many things correctly, they couldn’t seize crucial moments in close games, unlike the previous season when they won the title. She pinpointed the initial home games as turning points where they failed to capitalize on key opportunities.
Taking a holistic view, Mandhana avoided singling out individuals for blame. She emphasized collective responsibility, acknowledging her own need to contribute more with the bat, particularly during the middle phase of the tournament.
She reiterated the challenging batting conditions during the Bangalore leg, where only Perry’s exceptional batting allowed them to post competitive totals. Mandhana lauded Perry’s influence on the team, especially the Indian players, highlighting the valuable learning opportunity she provides. She hopes Perry’s presence will positively impact Indian cricket by inspiring greater work ethic and skill development.
Another positive aspect for RCB was the explosive batting of Richa Ghosh, who achieved the highest strike rate in the team. Ghosh’s aggressive approach, including numerous sixes and fours, provided valuable runs for RCB. Her impressive performance in the final match, particularly against experienced bowlers, showcased her game-changing potential.
Mandhana praised Ghosh’s growth over the WPL seasons and within the Indian team. She highlighted Ghosh’s ability to single-handedly alter the course of a match and create pressure on opposing teams. Mandhana cited an instance where Ghosh’s powerful hitting nearly led them to an improbable victory while chasing a large target. She also noted Ghosh’s improved shot selection and technique, moving beyond pure power hitting, which reflects her dedication and hard work. Mandhana expressed optimism about Ghosh’s future and its positive implications for Indian cricket.
