RCB vs DC WPL 2026 Final: Mandhana's Masterclass Secures Title

 

The BCA Stadium in Vadodara witnessed a historic night of cricket as the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Women clinched their second Women’s Premier League (WPL) title. In a high-stakes rematch of the 2024 final, RCB chased down a mammoth target of 204 runs to defeat the Delhi Capitals (DC) Women by six wickets with just two balls to spare. While Bengaluru celebrated a landmark triumph, it was a familiar story of heartbreak for Delhi, who suffered their fourth consecutive defeat in a WPL summit clash.

First Innings: Rodrigues and Henry Power Delhi to Record Total

Winning the toss and electing to bowl, RCB’s decision seemed to backfire early as the Delhi openers came out with aggressive intent. Despite losing Shafali Verma (20) in the final over of the Powerplay, the Capitals didn't let the run rate drop. Lizelle Lee (37 off 30) provided the initial spark, but the innings truly found its gears when captain Jemimah Rodrigues joined Laura Wolvaardt at the crease.

Rodrigues played a captain’s knock, anchoring the innings with a scintillating 57 off 37 balls, featuring eight boundaries. Her 76-run partnership with Wolvaardt (44 off 25) laid a solid foundation. However, the real fireworks came from Chinelle Henry, who played a breathtaking cameo of 35 off just 15 balls*. Henry took a particular liking to Nadine de Klerk's final over, smashing 24 runs to propel Delhi to 203/4—the highest-ever score in a WPL final.

Second Innings: The Mandhana-Voll Show

Chasing 204 in a final is a daunting task, and RCB’s nerves were tested when Grace Harris fell for just 9 in the second over to Chinelle Henry. What followed, however, was a masterclass in T20 batting. Captain Smriti Mandhana and young sensation Georgia Voll stitched together a record-breaking 165-run partnership for the second wicket, the highest for any wicket in the history of the tournament.

Mandhana was in sublime touch, punishing anything loose to score 87 off 41 balls, including 12 fours and 3 massive sixes. At the other end, Voll was equally clinical, playing the perfect foil with a robust 79 off 54 balls. The duo demoralized the Delhi attack, taking the score to 162/1 by the 15th over and making the massive chase look like a walk in the park.

Final Over Drama and the Winning Moment

Just when it seemed RCB would cruise home, the Capitals staged a late fightback. Minnu Mani broke the mammoth stand by dismissing Voll, and Henry returned to bowl Mandhana in the 19th over. With 10 runs needed off the final over, the pressure shifted back to the chasing side.

Radha Yadav, facing her former team, showed nerves of steel. After two singles off the first two balls from Shree Charani, Radha found the boundary over cover-point. With 4 needed off 3, she repeated the feat, clearing the infield again to spark wild celebrations in the RCB dugout.


Match Summary Table

TeamScoreTop Performer
Delhi Capitals203/4 (20 Ov)Jemimah Rodrigues (57 off 37)
RC Bengaluru204/4 (19.4 Ov)Smriti Mandhana (87 off 41)

Result: Royal Challengers Bengaluru won by 6 wickets.

Note: This victory draws RCB level with Mumbai Indians for the most WPL titles (2), while Delhi Capitals remain the only team to reach every final without winning the trophy.

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