Smriti Mandhana Praises RCB’s Playoff Qualification in IPL 2024: ‘Impressed with Boys’ Fighting Spirit’

Smriti Mandhana, the skipper of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), lauded her male counterparts for their remarkable comeback in the second half of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, which secured them a spot in the playoffs. Despite a rocky start with seven losses in their first eight matches, RCB turned the tide by winning six consecutive games, setting up a crucial Eliminator clash against Rajasthan Royals in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

In a video shared on RCB’s social media accounts, Smriti expressed her delight at the team’s performance, reminiscing about her early days playing at the iconic Chinnaswamy Stadium. She commended the boys for their resilience and fighting spirit throughout the season, highlighting their determination to bounce back from a challenging position and still have a shot at qualifying for the playoffs.

Having led RCB to their maiden Women’s Premier League (WPL) title earlier this year, Smriti was joined by her teammates Shreyanka Patil, Asha Sobhana, Renuka Singh Thakur, and India teammate Jemimah Rodrigues at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium for the crucial match against Chennai Super Kings.

Shreyanka, the leading wicket-taker in WPL 2024, shared her perspective on the intensity of high-stakes games, stating that playing on the field was much easier than watching from the sidelines. The camaraderie and support among the RCB players were evident as they rallied together to secure a playoff berth in the IPL 2024 season.