Smriti Mandhana’s Flu, Fire, and Fearless Cricket: RCB Outplayed DC in a High-Voltage WPL Final

Under the lights at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, the Women’s Premier League final delivered everything a cricket lover could ask for — big runs, brave bowling, nerves stretched thin, and a chase that will be spoken about for years. In the end, it was Royal Challengers Bengaluru who stood tall, chasing down 203 against Delhi Capitals to lift their second WPL title, powered by a heroic innings from Smriti Mandhana.

DC Batting: Bold, Brave, and Nearly Perfect

Delhi Capitals won the toss and chose to bat — a decision that seemed spot on as their top order came out with intent. Shafali Verma set the tone early with her trademark aggression, while Lizelle Lee provided balance, helping DC race to 49 inside the powerplay. Though both fell in quick succession, the platform was firmly laid.

The innings truly found its rhythm when Laura Wolvaardt and captain Jemimah Rodrigues stitched together a crucial 76-run partnership. Wolvaardt’s fluent 44 off 25 kept the scoreboard ticking, but it was Jemimah who anchored the innings with poise. Her 57 off 37 balls was a captain’s knock — calm under pressure, decisive when needed.

Just when it seemed DC might slow down, Chinelle Henry launched a late assault, smashing an unbeaten 35 off 15, pushing Delhi past the psychological 200-run mark. At 203/4, it was the highest total ever in a WPL final — and it felt massive.

RCB Bowling: Damage Control with Discipline

RCB’s bowlers had a tough evening, but they held their nerve when it mattered. Lauren Bell’s spell of 0/19 in four overs stood out like gold dust in a high-scoring final, applying pressure through sheer control. The rest of the attack focused on containment rather than miracles, ensuring DC didn’t run away to something unchaseable.

RCB Batting: Smriti Mandhana Takes Over History

Chasing 204 in a final is never easy. When Grace Harris fell early, a familiar RCB nervousness threatened to creep in. What followed instead was one of the greatest partnerships in WPL history.

Smriti Mandhana and Georgia Voll didn’t just chase the target — they hunted it down. Voll’s 79 off 54 was fearless and composed, but this night belonged to Mandhana. Battling a severe flu, she produced an innings of staggering clarity and courage — 87 off 41 balls, filled with timing, placement, and authority.

Mandhana reached her half-century in just 23 balls, her fastest in the WPL, and then dismantled DC’s spin attack with surgical precision. Sweeps, inside-out lofts, late cuts — every shot came with intent and assurance. The 165-run partnership drained the life out of Delhi’s bowling and turned pressure into belief.

By the time Mandhana fell in the penultimate over, RCB were already at the doorstep. With 10 needed off the final over, calm heads prevailed, and the winning runs were struck to spark wild celebrations.

DC Bowling: Fight Till the Last Ball

To DC’s credit, they never gave up. Chinelle Henry picked up 2/34, including the prized wicket of Mandhana, while the rest of the attack kept searching for an opening that never truly came. On another day, 203 would have been enough. This just wasn’t that day.

Champions Once Again

RCB finished the tournament as the most complete side, topping the league stage and delivering when it mattered most. Smriti Mandhana, the tournament’s Orange Cap winner with 377 runs, led from the front — not just with runs, but with heart.

For Delhi Capitals, it was another painful final loss, but their cricket deserved respect. They played bold, fearless cricket all season and pushed the champions to their absolute limits.

On a night when records fell and courage rose, women’s cricket won — and Smriti Mandhana reminded the world what leadership under pressure truly looks like.

Women’s Premier League 2026 Top Performers

• Orange Cap: Smriti Mandhana (RCB)
• Purple Cap: Sophie Devine (GG)
• Most Valuable Player: Sophie Devine (GG)
• Emerging Player of the Season: Nandani Sharma (DC)