DC Women vs RCB Women, Final at Delhi, WPL, Mar 17 2024 - Match Result

11:40pm That is a wrap, folks. A rip-roaring tournament, and in the end, the Royal Challengers Bangalore stand atop the pile. Still plenty to take home for Delhi, although they will be gutted that they have not been able to come up with a top performance when it really mattered. Nevertheless, it was a tournament that kept everyone (fans and teams) on the edge of their seats, and the WPL, on this year's evidence, will only get bigger and better from here.

It was a pleasure bringing all the action to you, and we really hope you enjoyed our coverage as much as we loved bringing it to you. Until next time, from all of us at ESPNcricinfo, this is goodbye. Goodnight and take care!

11:35pm And....the celebrations begin. Mandhana receives the trophy and then hands it over to Shreyanka. RCB are over the moon and so are their fans, in Delhi, in Bengaluru and all around the world. This is also the first time they have won three matches in a row in the WPL, and they have chosen the most opportune moment to do so.

Smriti Mandhana, Royal Challengers Bangalore captain: The feeling has not sunk in yet, maybe it will take time. Hard for me to come out with a lot of expression. Only thing I want to say is I am proud of the bunch. We have been through ups and downs but they have stuck at it, and the way we have gotten past the line (tonight), it was amazing. Our Bangalore leg was really good. We had two tough losses (in Delhi). That is what we talked about. The last league match was like a quarter, then the semi and then the final. In such tournaments, you have to peak at the right time. Last year taught us a lot of things, as a player, as a captain and as a team. The management, the way they backed me during the review after the season…they have been through a lot and a big thumbs up (to them). For them to have this trophy, it is amazing for them. I am not the only one who has won the trophy, the team has won. For RCB as a franchise to win, it is really, really special. This win is definitely one of the top five maybe. A World Cup (win) would top it. I have a message for all the RCB fans, the most loyal fan base. Nothing would have been possible without their support. Ee Sala Cup Namde (roughly translating to 'this year cup will be ours') always comes up, and now I just want to say Ee Sala Cup Namdu (roughly translating to this year the cup is ours).

Meg Lanning, Delhi Capitals captain: Disappointing to not get it done tonight. We played some good cricket through the tournament. But it was about not playing well on the day. Congratulations to RCB, they outplayed us. But we can be proud of our efforts throughout. (On their batting collapse) It all happened relatively quickly, as it tends to do. Crazy things happen, and every game has been pretty close. You can never sort of rest and think it is under control because there are so many good teams. They (RCB) deserved the win. (On the message to the DC squad) Just that we have played a lot of good cricket. there was a lot of effort that went in from a lot of people. Want to thank the support staff and the back-room staff. A big thank you. You win some, you lose some (in cricket). Unfortunately, it was not to be for us tonight.

Deepti Sharma, Most Valuable Player of WPL 2024: I have played what I feel my game is during this tournament. I kept believing, and played different shots according to the ball. Before the tournament, I did a lot of drills to improve my game (on the off-side). It was something I developed and I am happy with that. Last season, I did not get many opportunities to bat. This season, I batted higher and happy to have contributed for the team in crucial situations also. Hopefully I can keep performing this way.

Shreyanka Patil wins the Purple Cap, with her RCB teammate Ellyse Perry winning the Orange Cap. Deepti Sharma is crowned the Most Valuable Player of WPL 2024.

Shreyanka Patil picks up the Emerging Player of the WPL award. Shafali Verma wins the award for the most sixes in the season, while Georgia Wareham scoops up the award for having the highest strike rate during the season. S Sajana of the Mumbai Indians wins the Best Catch award for her catch against the UP Warriorz to dismiss Sophie Ecclestone. RCB also win the Fair Play award.

Sophie Molineux, Player of the Match: It was a great match. Finals are always funny games, we knew it was going down to the wire. DC are a great team, they fought all the way. Pretty happy we got over the line. I felt like I was bowing really slow tonight. In tournaments, you have to keep learning (from your mistakes) and look forward to the next game. this one (award) is special. To be picked by RCB after not playing cricket for a while. It is an incredible competition and it is only going to go from strength to strength. Proud to be a part of it.

10:55pm Coming back to the game, it was another nerveless display by Perry, who kept at it and did not baulk at the situation even when it went to over run-a-ball. Mandhana also helped set the base, while Ghosh struck a couple of boundaries right at the end. Don't forget Devine's contribution. Her assault off Radha helped RCB eat into the target significantly, allowing Mandhana and Perry to then graft their way through.

The Capitals fought admirably. Pandey, in particular, was tough to get away and she kept attacking the stumps while bowling a superb length. Kapp was not bad either, and Capsey bowled economically too. They tried as many as seven bowlers, and while they perhaps under-utilized Jonassen, it was a simple case of them not having enough runs in the bank.

Ellyse Perry: (On how the support was) Pretty bonkers, to be honest. Just another level for us (as a team) and for women's cricket. The support all teams have had is phenomenal. The standard of cricket has been amazing and it has been a pleasure to play. She is unbelievable. For such a young player, she has all the shots. She has the calmness too. Felt we just needed to stay in the game, wait for the loose balls and we got there in the end. She turned the match around on its head. For the rest of the spinners to back her up the way they did…Shreyanka is such a young player, and that (spinners' performance) was special.

Renuka Singh: (On how she is feeling) Goosebumps. First time RCB is winning and finally the fans are happy. The fans supported us throughout. Our team bonded well and that was the reason we have won this (title). We tried to play simple cricket (in the final) and we did not take much pressure. We did not think of any target as such. They got many runs in the powerplay but we always felt we could come back with a wicket.

Sophie Devine: We did the job. Richa has been outstanding this whole tournament. (What changed) We had all the parts last season as well, it was just about putting them together. Outstanding from the management to get them (the new players in). Mandhana was outstanding (as captain), she learns on the go. Pretty special, shows the support the women's game has. This is the best set of fans and special to see it come to the women's team also.

Georgia Wareham: I don't think I will be able to sleep tonight so might as well take the flight directly. The way Smriti has gone about it this year, to turn it around. The players that have come in, Sophie Molineux did an amazing job and even tonight, she changed the game for us. (On the spinners in the team) It has been unbelievable. Shreyanka has improved every single game, Asha as well. It is really impressive and something to learn off.

Ekta Bisht: Before the tournament started, I had said RCB will top, and I had predicted a final between DC and RCB. We won the Eliminator very well and we got a lot of confidence out of it. We never felt the final was going the other way, we were positive and that paid off in the end.

Shreyanka Patil: For sure, you can call us (spin twins). We really worked hard. We had a camp before the season and it was amazing to get in touch with everyone and know everyone. We were confident and we had amazing team bonding sessions - some dancing, some drama, some laughter. They (the fans) keep saying Ee Sala Cup Namde - now we have gotten the cup, it is all for the fans. Day in and day out, we put in hard work and we manifested it. We wanted to win this game and show the fans we can do it. Luke came here, we did not know him much. In the last game, when we won against MI, he had tears in his eyes. Amazing we are playing as a unit, as a family and we hope to continue this winning streak. We are not going to leave them (Perry and Luke Williams), they have to dance.

Sobhana Asha: I was really tensed but with Pez and Smriti at the crease, it was all chill. From the first day of the camp, we have been manifesting it and very happy. Complete team effort, very happy. (On Luke Williams) He was very comfortable with the group and made us feel very comfortable. He was fantastic.

Richa Ghosh: I was a little nervous and Perry helped me a lot. After last year, reaching the final and winning, it was our preparation and God helped us along the way. When bowling, we wanted to bowl wicket-to-wicket and we wanted a wicket or two. Whenever there is a small target, it tends to be a close game and it does not allow you to relax.

Simran Bahadur: I am feeling very happy now that the trophy is with us. I am a little speechless. Even when I am not playing, I feel happy for the team. And when I am playing, I try to give my all.

10:38pm The WPL has been around for just two years, but fans of the RCB franchise have had to endure years of hurt and ridicule. Now, they finally have a tangible trophy to show off for what has been an outstanding WPL season.

They were playing their first final tonight, yet, it never felt as if they were, holding their nerve even when the chase threatened to get nervy and even after being put under enormous pressure during the powerplay. And their place in WPL history is now assured - as the team that dethroned the Mumbai Indians and became only the second winners of the competition.

There will be bedlam in Bengaluru. They will party all night in Indiranagar, Koramangala and on MG Road, and they will be singing at the top of their voices. The phrase 'Ee Sala Cup Namde', which roughly translates to 'this year the cup is ours', has finally come to fruition and it is a true story of hope, perseverance, loyalty and inspiration.

3 off 4 now

4 off 5 now

Right. One over left in this season of the WPL. RCB need five runs to win. DC basically have to deny RCB from scoring five. Reddy to bowl. Big decision. Jonassen is not bowling the final over. Keeper up to the stumps

Five needed. RCB have eight balls to get them. Can Perry finish it with one blow?

The RCB fans are dancing in the aisles. They can sense this victory is very close

Capsey to bowl the penultimate over. 11 still needed. Over the wicket

19 off 18. The nerves of both the players and the fans will be tested now. Still RCB's game to lose. DC need something special to pull this game out of the fire