Historic Repeat Celebration
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Women's team has once again etched their name in history, securing their second Women's Premier League (WPL) title.
This significant achievement, a repeat of their past success, was met with widespread jubilation, notably from Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma. Following their decisive six-wicket victory over the Delhi Capitals in the WPL 2026 final, the franchise celebrated a triumphant chase of a formidable 203 runs. Sharma, expressing her delight on Instagram, shared a photo of the victorious team, proclaiming, "RCB Women do it again. History repeated." This sentiment was echoed by former RCB captain Virat Kohli, who also extended his heartfelt congratulations via Instagram, emphasizing the team's pride in keeping the RCB flag flying high and acknowledging the dedication of captain Smriti Mandhana, the entire squad, and the management team for this momentous win.
Dominant Batting Performance
The WPL 2026 final was a display of exceptional batting prowess from RCB, spearheaded by captain Smriti Mandhana and Georgia Voll. Their extraordinary 165-run partnership proved to be the turning point, decisively shifting the momentum in Bengaluru's favor. Mandhana led from the front with a spectacular captain's knock, amassing 87 runs off a mere 41 deliveries, a remarkable innings punctuated by 12 fours and three sixes. Voll provided stellar support with a fluent 79 runs from 54 balls, a knock adorned with 14 boundaries. While chasing a challenging target of 203, RCB successfully reached 204 for the loss of 4 wickets in 19.4 overs. After the early setback of Grace Harris's dismissal for 8 runs, Mandhana and Voll took firm control of the innings. Despite Delhi Capitals managing to pick up three quick wickets late in the game, creating a tense atmosphere, Radha Yadav and Nadine de Klerk remained composed. Radha sealed the victory with two consecutive boundaries, finishing on an unbeaten 12 runs as RCB crossed the finish line with two balls to spare.
Delhi Capitals' Effort
Prior to RCB's successful chase, Delhi Capitals posted an imposing total of 203 for 4 in their allotted 20 overs, setting a new record for the highest total ever recorded in a WPL final. The innings commenced with a brisk opening partnership from Lizelle Lee, who scored 37 runs off 30 balls, and Shafali Verma, contributing 20 runs from 13 deliveries. The innings found further stability through a crucial 76-run third-wicket stand between Jemimah Rodrigues and Laura Wolvaardt. Rodrigues scored a rapid 57 runs off 37 balls, while Wolvaardt added a valuable 44 runs from 35 deliveries. The momentum was significantly boosted towards the end of the innings by Chinelle Henry, who smashed an unbeaten 35 runs off just 15 balls, propelling Delhi Capitals past the 200-run mark and setting a challenging target for their opponents.
Championship Accolades
Smriti Mandhana's outstanding performance in the final, where she played a match-winning knock, earned her the prestigious Player of the Match award. This victory further solidifies RCB's recent dominance across various formats of the game. Following their maiden title win in 2024, also under Mandhana's captaincy, the franchise has now achieved a remarkable feat by holding both the Women's Premier League and the Indian Premier League titles concurrently. This dual championship status underscores a new era of success for RCB and highlights the team's consistent excellence and strategic prowess in women's cricket.
