In a poignant scene at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Sunday night, Delhi Capitals’ skipper Meg Lanning was left in tears after witnessing her team’s defeat to Royal Challengers Bangalore in the WPL 2024 final. It marked the second consecutive season where Lanning’s DC had topped the league stage only to falter in the title clash.
DC had opted to bat first and started strongly with an opening partnership of 64 runs between Lanning and Shafali Verma. However, the dismissal of Shafali in the seventh over triggered a collapse, with DC losing three wickets in quick succession, all falling victim to Sophie Molineux’s bowling.
The momentum firmly swung in RCB’s favor as their spinners, led by Shreyanka Patil’s four-wicket haul and supported by Asha Sobhana’s two wickets, kept DC’s batting lineup under pressure. Eventually, Delhi Capitals was bundled out for 113 runs in 18.3 overs.
Facing a modest target, RCB approached their chase methodically, not taking unnecessary risks. They comfortably chased down the total, losing only two wickets in the process, with Richa Ghosh hitting the winning boundary to spark jubilant celebrations in the RCB camp.
However, amidst the celebrations, there was a contrasting sight in the DC camp as Lanning, visibly emotional, was seen being consoled by a member of the support staff.
Reflecting on the loss, Lanning expressed her disappointment, acknowledging that finals are decided by the team that performs best on the day. She congratulated RCB for their well-deserved victory, acknowledging their superior performance in the final.
“It all happened relatively quickly as it tends to do. As witnessed in this tournament, unexpected events often occur. Full credit to RCB, they fought back really nicely and deserved the win,” Lanning remarked.
The defeat was undoubtedly a bitter pill to swallow for Lanning and her team, but it also served as a testament to the unpredictability and drama that unfolds in the high-stakes environment of cricket’s premier tournaments.
