Smriti Mandhana loses cool? RCB skipper left irritated as cameraperson interrupts practice | WATCH

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Smriti Mandhana was visibly irritated when a cameraperson interrupted her practice session ahead of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 opener against Mumbai Indians (MI) on Friday. A video circulating on social media showed Mandhana focusing on throwdowns when the cameraperson came too close, disrupting her rhythm. The Indian star, known for her composure on the field, was clearly displeased by the intrusion, highlighting the challenges players often face during pre-match preparations.

Despite the pre-game irritation, Mandhana led RCB to a thrilling victory over the Mumbai Indians in their WPL opener at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The match lived up to the hype surrounding Indian women’s cricket following India’s maiden World Cup triumph last year. RCB showcased resilience and flair, with Mandhana expressing satisfaction at how her team is “known to play thrillers” and celebrating the win after narrowly losing several high-intensity matches in the previous season.

Nadine de Klerk played a pivotal role in RCB’s victory, earning the ‘Player of the Match’ award for her all-round performance. She delivered a tight bowling spell of 4/26 and followed it up with a quick 63* off 44 balls, including seven fours and two sixes, helping RCB chase down a challenging target. Mandhana praised Klerk’s performance, drawing parallels to her match-winning innings against India during last year’s World Cup. She noted that just as MI’s Sajeevan Sajana had capitalized on a dropped catch, Klerk made RCB pay with impactful batting after getting a reprieve from Nat Sciver Brunt.

Mandhana highlighted the positive team spirit and camaraderie during the match, stating that even in challenging moments, the team maintained morale and focus. The victory reinforced RCB’s reputation for delivering edge-of-the-seat finishes and set a promising tone for their WPL 2026 campaign, with Mandhana and Klerk demonstrating leadership and match-winning brilliance. (With inputs from Agencies)