Mandhana Expresses Pride in Concluding Strongly After RCB’s Season of Lost Opportunities | Cricbuzz.com

**WPL 2025: Smriti Mandhana Reflects on RCB’s Commendable Finish Despite Missed Opportunities**

*By Cricbuzz Staff • Published on [Date]*

In the climactic conclusion of their WPL 2025 season, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched a victory over the Mumbai Indians, obstructing their direct path to the finals. Although RCB fell short of securing a playoff spot, captain Smriti Mandhana expressed immense pride in her team’s resilience, reflecting on a season marked by narrow losses and a strong finish.

Recollecting the campaign, Mandhana humorously noted, “We began the season on a high and concluded it similarly, though we lost our way in the middle. This effectively encapsulates our journey.” She acknowledged the challenges faced following the player auction, which saw the departure of several key players from their triumphant 2024 squad. Despite these hurdles, she praised the team for their unity and tenacity.

Mandhana remarked on the unfavorable outcomes in pivotal close matches that were instrumental in derailing their postseason aspirations. “Losing close matches is tough for any team. Our first few encounters were particularly tight, yet we remained positive and hopeful until the final whistle in Lucknow. This collective determination is what gratifies me as a captain. It exemplifies a true team spirit—regardless of winning or losing.”

RCB’s journey commenced with promise, tallied by two initial victories, but their momentum waned as they succumbed to five consecutive defeats, notably four at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The narrow losses against Mumbai Indians and UP Warriorz, particularly at home, were cited by Mandhana as pivotal setbacks. However, she refrained from attributing blame, instead highlighting the nature of cricket’s unpredictability.

“Reflecting on our matches in Bangalore, those encounters were definitive. Last season, we proved adept at seizing such moments. This time, despite executing strategies well, the decisive overs didn’t align in our favor,” she stated. Mandhana emphasized the shared responsibility, asserting, “Victory or defeat is a team endeavor. We must enhance our collective efforts and focus on winning critical moments in future tournaments.”

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