DC VS RCB FINAL

Now then, Smriti Mandhana collects that elusive winning trophy and walks up to the podium to go on and lift it up along with her teammates and the whole of the Bangalore team erupts in joy, what a moment! Right then, the 2024 season of the Women's T20 League was bigger and better than the inaugural season and we saw crowds come in large numbers in both Bangalore and Delhi and most of all, the quality of cricket we saw, was something really special. But at the end of it all, it is Bangalore who claim their maiden title and this incredible season has come to an end. We really hope you enjoyed the coverage. Until next time then, take care and goodbye!

Next up, Smriti Mandhana, the captain of Bangalore collects the winner's check and mementos before coming down for a quick chat. Smriti says that the feeling still hasn't sunk in and it is hard for her to come out with emotions and just wants to say that they went through a lot of ups and downs and is just glad. Adds that the Bangalore leg was very good and they had a couple of tough losses in Delhi but managed to step up at the right time and probably, the best was saved for the last. Mentions that last year taught them a lot of things and they were able to reflect on a lot of things and the management did a stellar job. Reckons that for Bangalore, the title is a lot more and as a franchise it is really special and for her personally, it hasn't sunk in yet and is one of the top wins of her career. Ends by appreciating the fans and calls Bangalore's fans the most loyal fans and says 'Ee saala cup namdu' (this year the cup is theirs).

Meg Lanning, the captain of Delhi is up for a quick chat after collecting the runner-up check and the trophy. She says it was disappointing to not get it done and congratulates Bangalore by saying they truly deserve it. Adds the collapse happened too quickly and weird things happen in tournaments like these. Again credits Bangalore for dominating the game. Reckons that they had a good tournament and it just wasn't to be in the finale and thanks the entire squad. Says cricket is a funny game and you win some and lose some as well.

Time for the mementos to be distributed and first up, all the officials are handed their mementos. Next up, the runners-up award is handed to the head coach of Delhi, Jonathan Batty who collects the award and also the watches for all the individuals of the team.

Deepti Sharma is the Player of the Tournament for her sensational all-round display. She says that she played her natural game throughout the tournament and played all her shots because of which she was able to do well. Adds that before coming into the tournament, she worked hard on playing on the off side and she is happy with it. Mentions that last season, she didn't have many chances with the bat but this season she was able to contribute and she feels good about it. Says that she has come a step ahead with her batting and is happy with it.

Shreyanka Patil is adjudged the Emerging Player of the Season for her 13 wickets and contributions with the bat and in the field. She also ends up as the leading wicket-taker of the tournament, whereas her teammate Ellyse Perry finishes as the leading run-getter, a clean sweep.

Sophie Molineux is the Player of the Match in the Final for her game-changing spell and a run-out as well. She begins by saying it is a special evening and finals are always funny games, going down to the wire. Adds Delhi is a strong team and feels glad to get over the line. States that it was all about learning from the mistakes and getting better. Mentions that the last three weeks have been pretty special and they have gone from strength to strength.

The Presentation ceremony...

Richa Ghosh and Simran Bahadur are also up for a quick chat. Ghosh says that she was a bit nervous but Ellyse Perry calmed her down and gave her the belief to play her shots. Simran shows that she is feeling great that the trophy is theirs and she is speechless. Ghosh adds that they have worked really hard and the preparation was very good. Simran chimes in and says that she is happy to do whatever the team wants, whether it be playing or supporting from the dugout. Ghosh says that they wanted to keep it wicket-to-wicket and knew a couple of wickets would turn the tide in their favor and says that a small target is very tricky and they never relaxed.

The spin twins, Shreyanka Patil and Asha Shobana are the next ones in for a chat. Asha says from the first day of the camp they were manifesting for this and it feels unreal. Shreyanka Patil says they did play some really good cricket and had amazing team bonding sessions between the games. Adds people keep saying 'Ee sala cup namde' (this year the cup is ours) and they just did it. Asha says that the coach Luke Williams made them feel comfortable and was fantastic and Shreyanka adds that they felt like a family getting in tune with him.

Sophie Devine says she is happy to contribute to the team and appreciates Perry for doing the needful. Adds that they just needed to get things into the right perspective this season and with the inclusion of Wareham and others, it bolstered their team. She is joined by Georgia Wareham who says Sophie Molineux changed the game totally after the Powerplay. Says it has been an exceptional experience to bowl here and there's so much to learn even as an international player. Sophie Devine says it's pretty special and feels extremely proud to bring the trophy before the men did.

Renuka Singh is first up to have a chat. She says it feels great that Bangalore has won for the first time and she is getting goosebumps. Says that the team bonded well and they got the desired results. Adds that they kept it simple and stuck to the basics without trying to do anything extra, which garnered positive results for them.

The woman of the moment, Ellyse Perry collects the Orange Cap and is down for a quick chat. She says the crowd is going bonkers and it is just another level of support here. Says it's been so much fun to play here. Appreciates Richa Ghosh for the way she played and says she is a pure talent and has a good range of shots. Adds they looked to take it deep. Lauds Sophie Molineux and says she turned the match for them and the rest of the spinners compounded the pressure that Sophie built on. Let's now hear from a few more of the Bangalore players...

Delhi will be gutted with that loss and it was more to do with the mental aspect of the game, then the actual ability of their players. Meg Lanning opted to bat first and put runs on the board in a summit clash and they looked primed to do that when they were flying at 64/0 but one over that created a bit of pressure led to Shafali Verma giving her wicket away and then were a couple of really questionable shots from Jemimah Rodrigues and Alice Capsey and after that, they simple never recovered. Meg tried to hold one end but couldn't stay on for longer and it required a few crucial runs from the lower order that took them over 110 runs. With the ball, they didn't really have much to defend and did a decent job but would have liked to pick up a few more wickets upfront. Also, unlike Bangalore, they did bowl plenty of overs of pace bowlers and their spinners weren't as effective as their counterparts. Overall, another heartbreak for Meg Lanning and co but they will look to bounce back strongly next season.

Smriti Mandhana lost the toss and her side was asked to bowl first and they couldn't pick up early wickets. Renuka Singh's underwhelming tournament continued and they were conceding runs at an alarming rate before Sophie Molineux came in and sent Shafali Verma back to the hut. Molineux just didn't do that but got a couple of more wickets in the same over and from thereon, Bangalore bossed the play. Their spinners were decisive and got 9 wickets among them and it was Shreyanka Patil who ended with a four-fer. Needing just 114 runs to clinch the trophy, Smriti and Sophie Devine started cautiously but then Devine did find the fence with regularity before eventually getting out. Ellyse Perry came in and played a lovely knock and although Smriti got out, Perry ensured she stayed on till the end and along with the dynamic Richa Ghosh, took her side to the ultimate victory.

BANGALORE ARE THE 2024 WOMEN'S T20 LEAGUE CHAMPIONS! From being a star-studded and favorite team to win the inaugural title and faltering heavily to lifting the title just a year later, what a comeback story this has been for Bangalore and they have been sensational in their final few games, deserving of the title. Spare a thought for Delhi though, who have been brilliant throughout the campaign but have once again succumbed to the pressure in the deciding game.

FOUR! THERE IT IS! BANGALORE CLINCH THE TITLE IN STYLE FOR THE FIRST TIME AND END THEIR TROPHY DROUGHT! And a wave of red overshadows the blues in the crowd! This is full and around off, Richa Ghosh simply clears the 30-yard circle by uppishly hitting it over mid off for a boundary. Bangalore are the champions of this second edition of the Women's T20 League. Erasing their past, Bangalore came into this competition as a lot more consistent and an improved side. The players of Bangalore flock around the two batters and the crowd is echoing to its highest.

Fuller in length and outside off, Ellyse Perry easily drives it hard along the ground to long off for a single. 3 needed off the last 4 deliveries.