It was a momentous night for Shreyanka Patil, the rising star of RCB, as she found herself in the midst of a surreal ‘Fan Girl’ moment with none other than her childhood idol, Virat Kohli. Having already shone brightly during RCB’s triumph in the WPL on Sunday, Patil’s encounter with Kohli added another unforgettable chapter to her journey.

Unforgettable moment for Shreyanka

The 21-year-old off-spinner, whose stellar performances in the eliminator and final had earned her the prestigious ‘Purple Cap’, couldn’t contain her excitement as she shared her experience on social media. She expressed her awe and gratitude as Kohli not only acknowledged her presence but also praised her bowling skills.

“Started watching cricket cos of him. Grew up dreaming to be like him. And last night, had the moment of my life,” Patil wrote, capturing the essence of her emotions in a heartfelt post alongside a picture with Kohli from the RCB ‘Unbox’ event.

The fact that her childhood hero knew her name left Patil in a state of disbelief, as she continued to cherish the surreal feeling of the encounter.

Her remarkable journey as a star

Patil’s journey to this momentous occasion has been nothing short of remarkable. Picked up by RCB during the inaugural WPL auctions last year, she proved her mettle with six crucial wickets in seven matches, emerging as a standout performer for her team. Her exceptional skills also caught the attention of selectors, earning her a spot in the Indian squad for the home T20 series against England in December.

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Since making her national team debut, Patil has continued to shine, overcoming injuries and challenges along the way to establish herself as a promising talent in Indian cricket. With appearances in both ODIs and T20Is for India, she has already made a mark with her impressive performances, bagging four wickets in ODIs and eight in T20Is.

As Patil’s journey unfolds, her encounter with Kohli serves as a testament to her hard work, dedication, and the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. With each step forward, she continues to inspire and carve her path in the world of cricket, leaving a lasting impression on fans and fellow players alike.

Royal Challengers Bangalore Women etched their names in the annals of cricket history by securing their maiden title in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), emerging victorious over Delhi Capitals Women in a thrilling final encounter by eight wickets. This momentous victory marked a significant milestone for RCB Women, while it brought disappointment to the Delhi Capitals Women’s camp for the second consecutive season.

Final Match Summary: RCB vs. DC

In the much-anticipated final clash between Royal Challengers Bangalore Women and Delhi Capitals Women, RCB Women exhibited exceptional skills in batting and bowling. After restricting Delhi Capitals Women to a modest total of 113 runs, RCB Women quickly chased down the target, reaching 115/2 in just 19.3 overs.

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Top Performers of the Season

Several players showcased outstanding performances throughout the WPL 2024 season, vying for the prestigious Orange and Purple Caps, awarded to the highest run-scorer and highest wicket-taker, respectively.

Orange Cap Winner: Ellyse Perry

The coveted Orange Cap was claimed by the versatile all-rounder of Royal Challengers Bangalore, Ellyse Perry. Perry exhibited exemplary batting prowess, accumulating 347 runs in nine matches at an impressive average of 69.40. Her consistent performances were pivotal in RCB Women’s journey to the title.

Purple Cap Winner: Shreyanka Patil

Shreyanka Patil emerged as the standout performer in the bowling department, clinching the Purple Cap for her exceptional bowling exploits throughout the WPL 2024 season. Patil’s remarkable four-wicket haul in the final match against Delhi Capitals Women was crucial in restricting the opposition to a modest total of 113 runs. She finished the season with an impressive tally of 13 wickets in eight matches, showcasing her bowling prowess and contributing significantly to RCB Women’s success.

Ever since its inception in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), it has been one of the significant bricks in the growth and reach of Indian female cricket. From the promising performances of the emerging players to the display of pure class calibre by the experienced players, the tournament has been a gateway for the impeccable display of cricket talent.

As the tournament gears up for its second edition in the coming few days, all five teams have created robust arsenals in the auction process and are geared up for the intriguing and intense clashes. With all five teams making their final squads for the coming few days of the WPL 2024, here are the top players from each participating team to check out.

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Shreyanka Patil

Shreyanka Patil demonstrated her bowling skills during the WPL 2023 season, taking six wickets in 7 matches with an average of 32.00. Her impressive performance for the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Women’s Caribbean Premier League 2023 as the best wicket-taker with an economy rate of 5.83 demonstrates her significance as a reliable bowler in critical situations. Patil’s ability to develop breakthroughs under duress makes her a valuable asset to the team. She can be a spinmeister for the RCB in the long run, especially after a mediocre inaugural run and enhancement of expectations for the second edition.

Mumbai Indians: Nat Sciver Brunt

Nat Sciver-Brunt, the English cricketer, has emerged as a vital role in the Mumbai Indians Women’s team. Sciver performed excellently in the last WPL season, scoring 332 runs in 10 games at a fantastic average of 66.40 and a stunning strike rate of 140.08.

Her recent performances in the T20I series in India and the WBBL 2023/24 season highlight her place in the team’s batting order. And it is not a surprise that the defending champions would keep their performance consistent with the help of a top-notch squad.

See also: https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/wpl-2024-top-3-contenders-to-win-the-purple-cap

Delhi Capitals: Meg Lanning

Meg Lanning, an experienced 31-year-old Australian cricketer, will exhibit her hitting prowess in the forthcoming 2024 Women’s Premier League season. Lanning’s ability to perform under duress is demonstrated by his remarkable aggregate of 345 runs in nine outings.

With an average of 49.29 and an excellent strike rate of 139.11, her leadership and hitting skills are expected to be critical in guiding her team to success. As a seasoned campaigner and the leading run-scorer in the 2023 season, Lanning brings skill and leadership to the Delhi Capitals Women, where she hopes to guide her side to success.

UP Warriorz: Alyssa Healy

The dynamic captain and wicketkeeper-batter, Alyssa Healy, is a shining example of consistency and intensity in the UP Warriorz team. Her outstanding results in the last WPL season, when she scored 253 runs in 9 matches with a fantastic strike rate of 141.34, highlight her importance as a top-order hitter.

With a strong track record in international cricket and a flair for excelling under pressure, Healy exemplifies the team’s aggressive style at the crease. Her achievements on the pitch have undoubtedly aided UP Warriorz Women’s campaign, displaying her potential to thrive in the WPL’s fierce competition.

Gujarat Giants: Beth Mooney

Beth Mooney, an accomplished Australian cricketer, adds extensive expertise to the Gujarat Giants. As a consistent opener, Mooney’s dependability and aggressiveness have the potential to stabilise the team’s batting lineup and successfully anchor innings. Her recent outstanding performance in WBBL 2023-2024, when she scored the most runs in the competition, demonstrates her capacity to dominate the field.

Though her injury hampered her prospects of playing in the inaugural edition, it is clear that the top T20I women’s batter would leave no stone unturned in displaying her calibre to the Gujarat Giants, who are seeking to turn the tables after their forgettable first season.

With the second edition of the WPL coming ahead in a few days, there have been intriguing anticipation amongst the fanatics, especially after a successful inaugural edition, thanks to the women’s impeccable display of cricketing calibre. As the sport suggests, the bowlers are the ones that create a significant impact on the team’s game, but in a behind-the-scene mode.

Though there are many exceptional bowlers, their talent, experience, and drive may leave an indelible mark on the game. However, in the shortest format, bowlers play an essential part in determining the result of matches, and certain players stand out as potential game-changers due to their ability to reliably take up wickets. Let us check on the top three bowlers who can scalp the most wickets and earn the Purple Cap of the WPL 2024.

Shreyanka Patil

Shreyanka Patil, a right-arm off-break bowler, has emerged as a genuine potential for India. The 21-year-old ended the Women’s Senior One Day Trophy 2022-23 with the second most wickets. She began playing cricket after watching the Indian Premier League (IPL) and is an avid Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) supporter. She got picked by her hometown arsenal in the inaugural edition and did the trick with her spin-bowling skills.

She has scalped a decent six wickets from seven innings with an economy of 9.84. But, with her recent performances for the Indian cricket team and the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Women’s Caribbean Premier League, she becomes one of the major players to check out for in the upcoming WPL edition & of course, a strong contender for the Purple Cap.

Marizanne Kapp

Marizanne Kapp is an experienced bowler who has contributed vital to her WPL franchise, Delhi Capitals. The South African right-arm medium bowler has contributed significantly to the franchise cricket teams she has represented. In the event’s last edition, the 34-year-old bowler took nine wickets at an average of 22.89 and had a fantastic economy of 5.72.

She bowls with excellent line and length, making it challenging for batters to play a stroke. Notably, she has perfect control over the run pace, demonstrating her ability to flourish under duress in the competitive WPL environment. She also holds the title for bowling the most maiden overs and dot balls (121 balls) during the first WPL season.

Sophie Ecclestone

Sophie Ecclestone, the current No.1 T20 Bowler, emerged as a pillar for the UP Warriorz Women squad in the inaugural edition, stunning onlookers with her excellent left-arm orthodox spin. Ecclestone grabbed 16 wickets in nine matches, at an outstanding average of 14.69.

Her ability to maintain a tight economy rate of 6.65 emphasized her importance to the squad, helping the UP Warriorz to their winning stints and cementing her position as one of the league’s top spinners.