India, March 18 -- They weren't carrying the baggage of a title drought for the men's team, but for those emotional fans who flocked to the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday evening and ones to stayed awake at home to watch the victorious moment, it marked the end of 16 years of hurt and disappointment. The Smriti Mandhana-led side defeated Delhi Capitals by eight wickets in the WPL 2024 final, in front of a cheering full house, to clinch their maiden title both as a women's team and for the franchise overall.

Once the spin combination of Shreyanka Patil (4/12) and Sophie Molineux (3/20) orchestrated a DC collapse to 113 all out, there could have been only one winner. The hosts had started off on a stellar note with Shafali Ver...