🏏WPL 2026: FINAL: DC W vs RCB W at Vadodara on 05/02/26🏏 - Page 16

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Lauren Bell has been fantastic this season!!

Lauren Bell: (Ready to bat if needed?) No, I wasn't ready. That wouldn't have been a good sign. Yeah, no, I was. I think it was a bit tense, but, I was just glad to go over the line. (On the final) What a game of cricket. 200 plays 200. Yeah, it was up and down. I think there were good patches and not so good patches, but yeah, obviously we got over the line. (On the first innings) Their opening partnership, obviously, come at you, and we knew that. And I think once we got them two down, we thought we were back in the game. And then Jemi and Laura both batted really, really well. So, yeah, they got to a good total, but we backed our line-up to chase. (What did Smriti say at the innings break?) I'm not sure, actually. I didn't get my off in the back chats. I actually sat with Anya (Shrubsole). I think we were pretty calm. We sat at the top for most of it. We looked up and we were like, we're going all right here, actually. This is looking pretty good. And then obviously it came down and there was a couple of wickets. But yeah, I think we chased it really well and obviously Georgia and Smriti were outstanding. So, they set the chase up for us. I don't think I've ever been part of a game like that where it's been so close. I guess the fans behind us and I think we've been waiting a long time for this final. So yeah, it was really special to watch and I'm just glad we got over the line. I think they've been amazing this whole tournament. Every day we've had amazing support and a lot of noise and tonight was no different. They've definitely helped us tonight and all through the tournament. (On playing for the RCB) I've absolutely loved it. The whole month's been so good. I think obviously finishing it off with a win's been amazing. But yeah, the whole month and the girls, the coaching staff, I couldn't have asked for a better experience. (Coming back for more? ) I hope so.

Shreyanka Patil: It is very special for me. My comeback WPL season and couldn't have asked for anything more or better. 200 on the scorecard, and they (fans) still have that faith. Want to thank each and every member who cheered is, and also the people back home in Bengaluru and Karnataka. After the first innings, me and Arundhati were walking back and we thought we could pull it off. Everyone was having fun, cheering for each other. That is how the dugout has been all season. (On the score and if they conceded extra) After second time-out, we spoke about wanting to restrict them to 180-185. Gave 20 runs extra. But they (Voll and Mandhana) made it look easy. Each and every player who played, everyone felt they were the leaders and that is what made us feel special. It was a brilliant team win. I am still in shock because the bails fell, the ball went to the boundary. This win is very special, want to dedicate this win to her (Mandhana), Malo and Anya's kid (who turns 1 today).

Lauren Bell: (Ready to bat if needed?) No, I wasn't ready. That wouldn't have been a good sign. Yeah, no, I was. I think it was a bit tense, but, I was just glad to go over the line. (On the final) What a game of cricket. 200 plays 200. Yeah, it was up and down. I think there were good patches and not so good patches, but yeah, obviously we got over the line. (On the first innings) Their opening partnership, obviously, come at you, and we knew that. And I think once we got them two down, we thought we were back in the game. And then Jemi and Laura both batted really, really well. So, yeah, they got to a good total, but we backed our line-up to chase. (What did Smriti say at the innings break?) I'm not sure, actually. I didn't get my off in the back chats. I actually sat with Anya (Shrubsole). I think we were pretty calm. We sat at the top for most of it. We looked up and we were like, we're going all right here, actually. This is looking pretty good. And then obviously it came down and there was a couple of wickets. But yeah, I think we chased it really well and obviously Georgia and Smriti were outstanding. So, they set the chase up for us. I don't think I've ever been part of a game like that where it's been so close. I guess the fans behind us and I think we've been waiting a long time for this final. So yeah, it was really special to watch and I'm just glad we got over the line. I think they've been amazing this whole tournament. Every day we've had amazing support and a lot of noise and tonight was no different. They've definitely helped us tonight and all through the tournament. (On playing for the RCB) I've absolutely loved it. The whole month's been so good. I think obviously finishing it off with a win's been amazing. But yeah, the whole month and the girls, the coaching staff, I couldn't have asked for a better experience. (Coming back for more? ) I hope so.

Grace Harris: Said to the girls that you get this opportunity only once. Want to quote Roger Federer and that he only won 54% of his points...and to give it a good crack. I tried to bring a little bit of energy to what is an exciting game. In the crowd, there is a lot of representation, and we really appreciate that. (On the catch she took) That was the easiest part of the night. I have buckets for hands, so really should be taking it. Really happy for the girls. Two fantastic knocks. 200 on the board, sometimes you can go boom or bust. You got good value if you played straighten, unlike me (laughs). Malo bhai, our coach, he is so calm and in control and gives the players what they need. Our batting coach, he is very good technically and has discussed a lot of stuff with me. It allows you, as a player, to roll in (and do your best).

And...breathe. What a run-chase and that too is perhaps underselling it. RCB were up against DC. They were up against a side that had the fire to set the record straight. And RCB were up against history too. But RCB also had arguably the best batter on the planet on their side. And that proved to be enough. Mandhana brought out some of her greatest hits and barely broke into a sweat doing so. But before she clicked into overdrive, it was Voll who did all the heavy lifting. She smashed the ball to all parts, turned up when the lights were at their brightest and that partnership left DC rummaging for answers.

DC, to an extent, found it towards the end, removing both in quick succession. But by then, it was too late. Most of the run-chase had been torn apart and all RCB needed was for Radha and de Klerk to hold their nerves, and the former, who has played a vital role with the bat this season, capped off that arc with two nerveless hits over the off-side ring.

DC pulled back when it was too late -- that was the problem!

Shreyanka Patil: It is very special for me. My comeback WPL season and couldn't have asked for anything more or better. 200 on the scorecard, and they (fans) still have that faith. Want to thank each and every member who cheered is, and also the people back home in Bengaluru and Karnataka. After the first innings, me and Arundhati were walking back and we thought we could pull it off. Everyone was having fun, cheering for each other. That is how the dugout has been all season. (On the score and if they conceded extra) After second time-out, we spoke about wanting to restrict them to 180-185. Gave 20 runs extra. But they (Voll and Mandhana) made it look easy. Each and every player who played, everyone felt they were the leaders and that is what made us feel special. It was a brilliant team win. I am still in shock because the bails fell, the ball went to the boundary. This win is very special, want to dedicate this win to her (Mandhana), Malo and Anya's kid (who turns 1 today).

Grace Harris: Said to the girls that you get this opportunity only once. Want to quote Roger Federer and that he only won 54% of his points...and to give it a good crack. I tried to bring a little bit of energy to what is an exciting game. In the crowd, there is a lot of representation, and we really appreciate that. (On the catch she took) That was the easiest part of the night. I have buckets for hands, so really should be taking it. Really happy for the girls. Two fantastic knocks. 200 on the board, sometimes you can go boom or bust. You got good value if you played straighten, unlike me (laughs). Malo bhai, our coach, he is so calm and in control and gives the players what they need. Our batting coach, he is very good technically and has discussed a lot of stuff with me. It allows you, as a player, to roll in (and do your best).

And...breathe. What a run-chase and that too is perhaps underselling it. RCB were up against DC. They were up against a side that had the fire to set the record straight. And RCB were up against history too. But RCB also had arguably the best batter on the planet on their side. And that proved to be enough. Mandhana brought out some of her greatest hits and barely broke into a sweat doing so. But before she clicked into overdrive, it was Voll who did all the heavy lifting. She smashed the ball to all parts, turned up when the lights were at their brightest and that partnership left DC rummaging for answers.

DC, to an extent, found it towards the end, removing both in quick succession. But by then, it was too late. Most of the run-chase had been torn apart and all RCB needed was for Radha and de Klerk to hold their nerves, and the former, who has played a vital role with the bat this season, capped off that arc with two nerveless hits over the off-side ring.

This final, though, cannot be complete without a mention of the Capitals. They did brilliantly to get to 203. And they would have felt this was finally the day their WPL duck would be broken. But it was not to be. And despite being the only side to have played four finals in four seasons, DC are still yet to win the final game of the season. And that, as they may have found out, is also the game that matters.