Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) concluded their Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 season on a positive note, securing a victory against Mumbai Indians (MI) in their final match. Although they failed to qualify for the playoffs, captain Smriti Mandhana expressed pride in her team’s resilience and unity throughout the tournament. She acknowledged that a series of close losses, particularly in the early stages, had cost them a playoff spot but praised the team for staying positive and fighting till the end.
Reflecting on the season, Mandhana humorously noted, “We started the season on a high and ended it on a high, but somewhere in the middle, we lost our way.” She emphasized the challenges the team faced after losing several players post-auction, which required significant adjustments. Despite this, RCB began strongly with two consecutive wins before a streak of five losses, including four at their home ground, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, derailed their campaign.
Mandhana pointed to the narrow defeats in the first two home games as pivotal moments. Mumbai Indians clinched a last-ball victory, while UP Warriorz won in a Super Over. “Last season, we won those close moments, but this year, we couldn’t,” she said. “Those two matches could have changed our position on the table.” However, she refused to blame individuals, stressing that the entire team shared responsibility for the outcomes.
The RCB captain also took personal accountability, admitting her own struggles with the bat during the middle phase of the tournament. She emphasized the importance of learning from the season and working on winning crucial moments in future campaigns. “As a team, we’ll take the lessons forward. It’s not about pinpointing one moment but about improving collectively,” Mandhana added.
Despite the disappointment of missing the playoffs, Mandhana remained optimistic about the team’s spirit and determination. She highlighted the positive attitude within the squad, even in the face of adversity, as a key takeaway from the season. “When things don’t go your way, and the team still sticks together, that’s what makes a true team,” she concluded.
