Navi Mumbai,18 January (H.S.): Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Smriti Mandhana lavished praise on her bowling unit following a commanding eight-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals in the 11th match of the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 at DY Patil Stadium on Saturday.

Opening Salvo Shatters Delhi's Top Order

Mandhana hailed the bowlers' precision, particularly in the powerplay's first three overs where RCB snared four wickets to dismantle Delhi's formidable start, crediting debutant Sayali Satghare's two crucial strikes and Lauren Bell's incisive spell.

It was incredible to witness everyone bowling so effectively, especially those initial overs that broke their momentum, she remarked post-match, adding that Prema and Radha Yadav maintained pressure while every subsequent bowler delivered exceptional performances.

Tactical Mastery Neutralizes Shefali Threat

RCB adapted seamlessly against Shefali Verma's explosive form, tweaking strategies to restrict her scoring and prioritizing her early dismissal knowing her capacity for match-defining totals. Executing plans against a batter like Shefali is easier said than done, but the team implemented them flawlessly, Mandhana noted, underscoring collective resolve that confined Delhi to 166 all out in 20 overs despite Verma's 62.

Captain's Near-Century Seals Chase

Reflecting on her own unbeaten 96 and Georgia Voll's 54, Mandhana described chasing 160-plus as inherently simpler on such pitches, where clarity aids shot selection amid early loss of Grace. RCB overhauled the target in 18.2 overs for two wickets, propelling them atop the points table with a fourth straight win, while Delhi slumped to the bottom after three losses in four outings.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar