Smriti Mandhana (Image credit: WPL) NEW DELHI: Royal Challengers Bengaluru head coach Malolan Rangarajan revealed that skipper Smriti Mandhana battled a “massive flu” and high fever as she put on a match-winning performance that led RCB to their second Women’s Premier League title on Thursday. Mandhan’s breathtaking 41-ball 87 helped Bengaluru pull off a record-breaking chase of 204 against Delhi Capitals to seal one of the most dramatic triumphs in WPL history.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!Speaking after the final, Rangarajan hailed Mandhana’s innings as one of the best he had witnessed and praised her control and composure under pressure. “Smriti, I think, saved one of her best innings for the final. The way she batted today was inhuman – so classy, so elegant. It didn’t even look like a 200 chase, the way she timed the ball,” he said, highlighting how the skipper dictated the pace of the chase.
Why this T20 World Cup could have a total of 300 plus | Will India make history?
The coach also revealed the extent of Mandhana’s illness and called her efforts a testament to her leadership. “Smriti was playing this game with a massive, massive flu. She was really sick with a high fever, but she showed up and didn’t even show it. When I spoke to her, she just said, ‘No problem, I’ll be there.’ That’s who she is,” added Rangarajan.In the summit clash, Delhi Capitals posted a daunting 203/4 powered by Jemimah Rodrigues’ 57 and a late burst from Chinella Henry. However, Mandhana, along with Georgia Voll, stitched together a decisive 165-run partnership that dashed DC’s hopes. Voll hit 79 while late contributions from Radha Yadav and Nadine de Klerk ensured RCB crossed the finish line with two balls to spare.READ ALSO: ‘She’s been through a lot’: Shreyanka Patil dedicates RCB’s WPL triumph to Smriti MandhanaRangarajan credited Mandhana’s relentless drive to improve for his success, calling her a “nerd” about batting. “She’s always trying to improve her skills. That’s why she’s achieved what she has,” he said.The win marked the highest successful chase in the history of WPL and IPL finals and the first time a target of over 175 was chased down in any women’s T20 final.
