Ace India batter Smriti Mandhana was left irritated by a cameraperson ahead of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s match against the Mumbai Indians in WPL 2026, as the latter served as a distraction even as Mandhana geared
up for the big clash, practising some hits.
In a video doing the rounds on social media, Mandhana is seen practising on the field when a cameraperson moves in too close, interrupting her while she was facing throwdowns.
The intrusion appeared to irritate Mandhana. She later scored 18 off 13 deliveries, while her team went on to pull off a stunning three-wicket victory over MI, powered by an explosive batting display from Nadine de Klerk. Watch the video here:
Cameraman not leaving Smrithi alone to practice and see Smrithi’s reaction 😂 pic.twitter.com/QVF8q4WTzw
— RCB (@RCBtweetzz) January 9, 2026
Meanwhile, chasing 155 for a win, RCB were 137/7, needing 18 runs from the final over. De Klerk smacked a six and a boundary from the third and fourth balls, needing eight runs from the last two deliveries.
De Klerk struck a six off the penultimate ball and then dispatched the last delivery from Nat Sciver-Brunt for a boundary to complete a dramatic victory over MI.
RCB reached 157/7 in 20 overs with Prema Rawat also remaining not out on eight.
For MI, Nicola Carey and Amelia Kerr grabbed two wickets apiece while Nat Sciver-Brunt, Shabnim Ismail and Amanjot Kaur picked up one each.
RCB suffered a batting collapse after a strong show from openers Mandhana and Grace Harris in a game that saw fortunes fluctuate.
RCB were 47/2 at the end of the fifth over but collapsed to 65/5 in the eighth over, losing three quick wickets in less than three overs.
Harris (25 off 12) and Mandhana (18 off 13) struck a four each off Nat Sciver-Brunt in the opening over and followed it up with another apiece against Shabnim Ismail, as RCB surged to 20/0 at the end of two overs.
