When Smriti Mandhana lifted the 2025 ICC Women's Cricket World CupDY Patil Stadium trophy after India’s 52-run win over South Africa, the world celebrated her as the backbone of a historic team. But back in Bangalore, the same woman who’d just become the first Indian woman to score a century in all formats was staring at a far quieter, far more painful reality: her team, Royal Challengers Bangalore, had finished second-last in the WPL 2025, with just two wins in eight games. The contrast wasn’t just stark—it was personal.
The Weight of Expectations
Mandhana entered WPL 2025 as the most expensive player in league history, bought for ₹3.4 crore after leading RCB to their first title in 2024. She was the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year 2024, the fastest Indian to 4,000 WODI runs, and the joint record holder for most international centuries (17) alongside Meg Lanning. But cricket doesn’t care about titles or stats when the toss goes wrong. In Bangalore, RCB lost all four home matches’ tosses. Every time, the opposition chose to bat first—and RCB’s bowlers, already thin on depth, couldn’t contain the runs. "Not having your five or six players in the playing XI, especially all the bowlers," Mandhana admitted after their final match against Mumbai Indians at Brabourne Stadium. "We did not step up. And that’s something everyone will learn and improve."
Ellyse Perry and Richa Ghosh: The Bright Spots
RCB’s season was saved from total collapse by two players who carried the load. Ellyse Perry, the Australian all-rounder, was RCB’s engine. She scored 372 runs at 148.80 strike rate and an average of 93.00—the second-highest in the tournament. Her innings of 89 off 51 balls against Delhi Capitals in the second game kept RCB alive when they were reeling at 67/4. Then there was Richa Ghosh, the explosive wicketkeeper-batter. Her 230 runs in 131 balls (strike rate 175.57) included 13 sixes and 25 fours—the highest strike rate among RCB’s regular batters. But even their brilliance couldn’t mask the team’s structural flaws: a lack of experienced spinners, inconsistent death bowling, and an over-reliance on Mandhana’s leadership under pressure.
The Toss Curse and the Home Ground Curse
"I think especially the Bangalore leg, losing the toss," Mandhana said, her voice heavy with frustration. "Not many teams could put up more than 160. But we could only do that because of the way Ellyse batted." That’s the problem: RCB’s batting depth vanished without Perry. When she was out, the middle order collapsed. Mandhana herself managed just 197 runs in eight innings, ranking 11th among run-scorers. Her strike rate of 136.80 looked decent on paper—but in a league where the average run rate was over 9.5, it wasn’t enough to anchor innings. The team’s net run rate (-0.421) was worse than UP Warriorz’s, and they survived only because of that margin. "Lots of tosses did not go our way," she said, then paused. "But in cricket, we can’t say all that."
Fans Who Never Stopped Believing
What stood out most wasn’t the stats—it was the fans. "They are best fans for a reason," Mandhana said, visibly moved. "You play at Mumbai, Baroda, Lucknow—of course Bangalore is home. They are always chanting. Winning or losing, they keep backing the team. We lost four games in Bangalore. We were losing. Still, the crowd was going, ‘RCB. RCB.’ As a team, we have let them down. But hopefully we will pick up next year."
That emotional honesty resonated. In a league where franchises often treat fans as transactional, RCB’s loyalists showed up even when the scoreboard mocked them. Their chants weren’t just noise—they were a lifeline. Mandhana, who grew up watching RCB matches on TV, knows what that means. She’s not just their captain. She’s one of them.
What’s Next for RCB?
With the WPL 2026 auction looming, RCB faces a crossroads. They need at least two frontline spinners, a finisher who can handle pressure, and a captain who can manage the middle overs better. Mandhana, now 28, has shown she can lead under pressure internationally—but domestic T20 cricket is a different beast. Will RCB invest in a new coach? Will they retain Perry? Will they trade for a proven Indian all-rounder like Harleen Deol or Shafali Verma? The answers will define whether 2025 was a blip—or the start of a deeper decline.
The Bigger Picture: Star Power vs. Team Depth
Mandhana’s story is a mirror for modern women’s cricket. The WPL has turned players into brands. But brands don’t win matches—teams do. India’s World Cup win was built on collective brilliance: Jemimah Rodrigues’ calm, Smriti’s aggression, Harmanpreet’s leadership, and the bowling depth of Pooja Vastrakar and Arundhati Reddy. RCB, by contrast, leaned too hard on Mandhana and Perry. The lesson? Even the most decorated players can’t carry a team alone. The future of women’s cricket lies not in auction prices, but in balanced squads, smart drafting, and long-term development.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did RCB struggle so badly despite having Smriti Mandhana and Ellyse Perry?
Despite Mandhana’s leadership and Perry’s brilliance, RCB lacked depth in bowling and middle-order consistency. They lost all four home tosses in Bangalore, forcing them to chase under pressure. With only two wins in eight matches, the team’s reliance on two players exposed a fragile structure. No other batter scored over 150 runs, and the spin attack was ineffective against top-order batters.
How does Mandhana’s WPL 2025 performance compare to her 2024 title-winning season?
In 2024, Mandhana scored 300 runs in 10 matches at a strike rate of 141.20 and led RCB to their first WPL title. In 2025, she managed only 197 runs in eight games with a slightly lower strike rate (136.80). The difference wasn’t just numbers—it was context. In 2024, the team was cohesive and balanced; in 2025, they were disjointed, especially in death overs and toss-dependent situations.
What role did Ellyse Perry play in RCB’s WPL 2025 campaign?
Ellyse Perry was RCB’s most consistent performer, scoring 372 runs at an average of 93.00 and a strike rate of 148.80—the second-highest in the tournament. She anchored the innings when the team collapsed, including a crucial 89 off 51 balls against Delhi Capitals. Her presence also lifted younger players, with Mandhana citing her as a mentor. Without Perry, RCB’s batting order would have collapsed entirely.
Why is the toss so critical in WPL, especially in Bangalore?
The pitch at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore is traditionally slow and low, making batting second advantageous. Teams chasing can adjust to the conditions, while teams batting first often struggle to post competitive totals above 160. RCB lost all four home tosses, forcing them to bowl first—and their bowlers, lacking spin options and death specialists, couldn’t restrict opponents consistently.
What does Mandhana’s leadership say about women’s cricket in India?
Mandhana’s ability to carry international glory while facing domestic disappointment highlights the growing gap between national team success and franchise stability. Her humility in admitting failure, thanking fans, and focusing on improvement reflects a maturing leadership culture in Indian women’s cricket—one that values accountability over ego, and long-term growth over short-term wins.
Will RCB make major changes before WPL 2026?
Yes. With only two wins and a weak bowling unit, RCB will likely target at least two spinners and a power-hitting all-rounder in the auction. They may also look to replace their current coach. Retaining Perry and Ghosh is probable, but Mandhana’s future as captain may be reviewed if the team doesn’t show structural improvement. The goal: turn 2025’s disappointment into a blueprint for 2026’s resurgence.