Record Chase, Record Joy: RCB Dethrone Delhi Capitals to Become 2-Time Champs
Vadodara, 06 February (Sports Desk)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Delhi Capitals (DC) by 6 wickets in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 final, securing their second title (first in 2024). This match took place on February 5, 2026, at the BCA Stadium (Kotambi Stadium), Vadodara.
Delhi Capitals innings: 203/4 in 20 overs
- Jemimah Rodrigues: 57 (off balls not fully specified in reports, but key contributor)
- Laura Wolvaardt: 44
- Lizelle Lee: 37
- Chinelle Henry: 35* (quick cameo in the death overs)
DC posted the highest total in a WPL final (or one of the highest in playoffs), thanks to aggressive middle-order batting. RCB’s bowling was disciplined early, with Lauren Bell’s economical spell (4 overs for 19 runs, no wickets but match-winning containment) standing out. Arundhati Reddy took 1/40.
watch…..Unbeaten & Unstoppable: Kanishk Chouhan Stars as India U19 Dump Pakistan Out
Royal Challengers Bengaluru chase: 204/4 in 19.4 overs (with 2 balls remaining) This was the highest successful chase in WPL history.
- Smriti Mandhana (Captain): 87 off 41 balls (12 fours, 3 sixes, strike rate 212.19) – explosive captain’s knock.
- Georgia Voll: 79 off 54 balls – composed and aggressive.
The duo built a record 165-run partnership for the second wicket (highest for any wicket in WPL history), dominating the chase with boundaries in almost every over. Grace Harris scored a quick 9 early on. Later, Radha Yadav hit two consecutive boundaries in the final over off N Shree Charani to seal the win amid late drama (RCB lost 3 wickets in quick succession toward the end, needing 8 off 4 at one point).
DC bowling highlights:
- Chinelle Henry: 2/34 (including Mandhana’s wicket)
- Others like Minnu Mani, Nandani Sharma, and spinners applied pressure but couldn’t stop the onslaught.
Player of the Match: Smriti Mandhana – for her match-defining 87 that set up the record chase. She also topped the tournament’s run-scoring charts with 377 runs (Orange Cap winner).
Additional notes:
- This was DC’s fourth consecutive final defeat (lost to Mumbai Indians in 2023, RCB in 2024, Mumbai in 2025, and now RCB again), marking a heartbreaking “finals curse.”
- RCB topped the league stage with 6 wins in 8 matches to qualify directly for the final. DC reached via the Eliminator win over Gujarat Giants.
- With this victory, RCB tied Mumbai Indians as the joint-most successful WPL franchise with 2 titles each.
- The match was a high-scoring thriller, full of boundaries and momentum shifts, living up to the big stage.
A dominant batting display led by Mandhana and Voll ensured RCB lifted the trophy in style!
