DC Women vs RCB Women, 17th Match at Delhi, WPL, Mar 10 2024 - Match Result

11:15pm Phew. That perhaps sums it up. But don't worry, there is more WPL action lined up tomorrow. The Warriorz, having seen RCB lose, can now put them under more pressure if they win, and they will have a chance to do so against the Gujarat Giants, who, by the way, are still in it with a mathematical chance. Do join us for that game too. Hope you enjoyed our coverage tonight, and see you all tomorrow. Goodbye!

Meg Lanning, Delhi Capitals captain: (On the game) Too stressful (smiles). Couple of games in a row now, thankfully we were on the right side (tonight). I look calmer than I am on the inside and that is important. Couple of the games we have lost, we were really close, could not nail the big moments. Tonight, we did. We laid a really good platform. At the half-way mark, we felt our score was good, if we bowled well and take our chance. (On Rodrigues batting at 3) Just conditions and match-ups. Worked really well. That partnership was the difference in the game. When you have set batters, it is hard to stop them.

Jemimah Rodrigues, Player of the Match: Good we have two days to recover from this. We have played three last-ball games and it is a blessing this went in our favour. The only talk we were having throughout the time-outs was to stick at it, and everything else would fall into place: thinking about the next ball and not thinking too far ahead. After losing against UP, I, for some reason, I felt it was going to work out for our good. If we get into such a situation in a semi or a final, we will know what to do. (On the strokes she played) Tonight the pitch was slower (than the other day) and was lower too. I was aware of it. even if I look ugly, I wanted to score runs. At the end, me coming and getting this POTM award is nice but tonight, it was a complete team effort. Glad that it went in our favour. (On Richa Ghosh) I feel for her, even though I am happy for the win. Only the WPL could have given this sort of exposure. I told her that this experience, it will help you in the World Cup, and you might help us win the World Cup.

Smriti Mandhana, Royal Challengers Bangalore captain: A tough loss to take. The way we were batting, the way Richa was going, it was a brilliant innings. Shreyanka's last over was brilliant as well. It was amazing to watch. She (Shreyanka) had a niggle, not that she was dropped. There was no choice of dropping someone of her quality. Were a tough, few days for her. Really happy for her. (On having a new opening partner) Does not change the way I want to bat. Would have loved to play (a bit longer tonight). (On Ghosh) We have seen a lot of Richa, even in the last season of WPL. Perry was going well, unfortunately she got run out. The way Richa batted, held her nerve, the game could have gone anywhere off the last ball. (Message to the team) We played good cricket. one run does not make us a bad team. We bowled to our plans and it was good to restrict them to 180. The way the middle order stepped up, it was nice to watch. Will just tell the girls to keep their heads held high and come back stronger (day after).

Jess Jonassen: I thought I would be good if I did not get hit for a six first ball but that is what happened. I knew what I wanted to do. (On what Lanning was saying) We were just sort of thinking. We thought of getting the fielders in to stop the two. We felt Richa was going to hit a boundary nevertheless and then deciding on a length. Tried to hit her toes and it came off, which is nice. (On who keeps the team calm) Meg just keeps everyone calm. She knows the right things to say and when to say it. All the experienced heads out there, we have played enough cricket and knew that every ball matters. Without a doubt. I made it really hard for us in the end. As a team, we have been put under immense pressure and we have still come out being top of the table. One important game still to come and then we can push for silverware. We are really good at picking each other up. As soon as the Pez run-out happened, we were all behind her.

10:48pm It is not very often that you run out of words and superlatives describing a game of cricket. But this did make that happen. Ghosh waged a lone battle, and she had the game right where she wanted it with one ball left. Right at the death, though, she could not connect with the stroke as well as she would have wanted, allowing DC to barge through the door.

It is in stark contrast to what happened the other day, when the Capitals could not hold their nerve. Tonight, they did, and they have now qualified for the playoffs courtesy this win. RCB, meanwhile, are now in a two-way tussle with the Warriorz for third spot, and they will feel gutted at having not gotten two points here.

Before all the final-over chaos, Perry had set the chase up nicely. The experiment to promote Molineux did not quite work out but she still contributed 33 off 30. Devine sparkled during her 16-ball 26 and had she stayed there till the end, things might have been different. Lots of ifs and buts, but RCB will go back to their hotel tonight knowing that they gave this a proper rattle.

2 off 1 ball now. Surely this is RCB's game to lose? Looonnnnggg conference between Jonassen and Lanning

11 off 5 now. Momentum back with RCB

17 needed off the last six balls. Jonassen to bowl. She has done this multiple times for Australia in the past. Ghosh on strike, with Kasat at the other end. Jonassen to bowl from over the wicket

17 needed off 7. Big ball coming up

Pandey to bowl the penultimate over. RCB need 28

33 needed off 14. RCB could do with a boundary, right about now

Wareham in at 6

40 needed off 18. Who are you backing to win this? Kapp to bowl out

Just five singles off the over so far. Can Pandey close it out?