Virat Kohli's Inspirational Words Propel RCB Women to WPL Glory
In a thrilling culmination to the Women's Premier League (WPL) season, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secured their second championship title, and the franchise has now unveiled the secret behind their success: a powerful pep talk from men's team legend Virat Kohli. Following their victory, RCB shared a video where Kohli emphasized the critical importance of "those 1 per cent small things" that ultimately make all the difference in high-stakes matches.
The Pep Talk That Made History
Speaking via RCB's official social media handle, Kohli addressed the women's team before the final, urging them to leave everything on the field. "On the field, give everything that you have," he said. "Those 1 per cent small things make all the difference at the very end. So if you have a chance to put your body on the length of that ball, do it." He congratulated the team for reaching the finals again, noting their impressive season performance and ability to win under pressure.
Kohli highlighted the team's consistency, stating, "It is no surprise to me that we were the first ones to make it to the finals. Top of the table. Just continuing the momentum that we had from game one." He also praised their resilience after a few mid-season games, which allowed for reflection and improvement. "A couple of games in the middle, where it is also good to have a little bit of a think and reflect on the things that the team can work on moving ahead. And that's exactly what you guys did in the last couple of games as well," he added.
Emphasizing the Big Occasion
Kohli stressed that the title clash was not "just another day" but a moment everyone in sports lives for. "It is something everyone plays the sport for, the big occasions, winning trophies, small things that make all the difference at the end," he explained. He encouraged players to seize every opportunity, saying, "If you have a chance to put your body on the line for that ball, do it. If you have a chance to dive into the crease for that one run, do it. That is what is going to count at the end of the day. And if you do that, you can walk away from that field with your head held high."
The Match That Sealed the Victory
In the final against Delhi Capitals (DC), RCB won the toss and elected to bowl first. DC posted a formidable total of 203/4 in 20 overs, the highest in a WPL final, thanks to key contributions from Lizelle Lee (37), Shafali Verma (20), Jemimah Rodrigues (57), Laura Wolvaardt (44), and Chinelle Henry (35*). However, RCB's chase was masterfully led by Smriti Mandhana and Georgia Voll.
After an early setback with Grace Harris's dismissal, Mandhana and Voll forged a monumental 165-run partnership. Mandhana smashed 87 runs off 41 balls, including 12 fours and three sixes, while Voll scored 79 off 54 balls with 14 fours. Despite DC taking three quick wickets in the final overs, Radha Yadav (12*) and Nadine de Klerk (7*) guided RCB to victory with six wickets and two balls to spare. Mandhana was deservedly named Player of the Match.
A Historic Achievement for RCB
This win marks RCB's second WPL title and a historic moment as the franchise now holds both the IPL and WPL trophies simultaneously. It also condemned Delhi Capitals to their fourth consecutive runners-up finish in the tournament. The victory underscores the impact of leadership and motivation, with Kohli's words resonating deeply within the team and contributing to their triumphant campaign.
The revelation of Kohli's pep talk adds a layer of inspiration to RCB's success story, highlighting how small, dedicated efforts can lead to monumental achievements in sports. As RCB celebrates this dual championship feat, the focus remains on the relentless pursuit of excellence that defines their ethos.
