Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women lifted their second Women’s Premier League title in three seasons after a record-breaking chase against Delhi Capitals in the WPL 2026 final, once again leaving DC heartbroken on the biggest stage.
The WPL final at a packed stadium turned into a night of red and gold celebration as Smriti Mandhana led Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to a historic win, chasing down a daunting target and underlining the franchise’s growing dominance in women’s cricket.
For Delhi Capitals, it was a familiar, painful script. For the fourth time, they reached a WPL final — and for the fourth time, they walked away empty-handed.
📊 WPL 2026 Final — Full Scorecard
Delhi Capitals Women – 203/4 (20.0 overs)
Batting
| Batter | Dismissal | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jemimah Rodrigues (c) | c deep midwicket | 57 | 37 | 7 | 1 | 154.05 |
| Laura Wolvaardt | b | 44 | 25 | 7 | 1 | 176.00 |
| Lizelle Lee (wk) | c long-on | 37 | 30 | 3 | 3 | 123.33 |
| Chinelle Henry | not out | 35 | 15 | 4 | 1 | 233.33 |
| Others | — | 13 | — | — | — | — |
| Extras | 17 | |||||
| Total | 203/4 | 20.0 |
Extras: 17 (w 5, nb 2, b 4, lb 6)
Bowling (RCB):
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinelle Henry | 4.0 | 0 | 34 | 2 | 8.50 |
| Sayali Satghare | 4.0 | 0 | 46 | 1 | 11.50 |
| Lauren Bell | 3.4 | 0 | 36 | 0 | 9.43 |
| Arundhati Reddy | 4.0 | 0 | 40 | 1 | 10.00 |
| Nandini Sharma | 4.0 | 0 | 47 | 0 | 11.75 |
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women – 204/4 (19.4 overs)
Batting
| Batter | Dismissal | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smriti Mandhana (c) | c long-off | 87 | 41 | 7 | 4 | 212.20 |
| Georgia Voll | c cover | 79 | 54 | 7 | 1 | 146.29 |
| Radha Yadav | not out | 12 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 240.00 |
| Nadine de Klerk | not out | 7 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 140.00 |
| Others | — | 19 | — | — | — | — |
| Extras | 20 | |||||
| Total | 204/4 | 19.4 |
Extras: 20 (w 6, nb 1, b 7, lb 6)
Total: 204/4 (19.4 overs)
Top Bowling (DC):
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnu Mani | 2.0 | 0 | 19 | 1 | 9.50 |
| Shree Charani | 3.4 | 0 | 46 | 0 | 12.54 |
| Nandani Sharma | 4.0 | 0 | 38 | 0 | 9.50 |
| Marizanne Kapp | 4.0 | 0 | 32 | 1 | 8.00 |
| Sneh Rana | 4.0 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 7.50 |
Minnu Mani — 1/19
Shree Charani — 0/46
A Final That Redefined WPL Chases
Delhi Capitals, batting first, posted a competitive total after a strong middle-order push. Jemimah Rodrigues played with flair and composure, anchoring the innings and giving DC hope of finally breaking their title drought.
But the final was always destined to be remembered for what followed.
RCB’s reply was not just successful — it was historic.
The chase became the highest successful run chase in a Women’s Premier League final, instantly entering WPL folklore and rewriting what was thought possible in pressure games.
Smriti Mandhana’s Night of Destiny
If the WPL needed a defining superstar moment, Smriti Mandhana delivered it on the grandest stage.
From the first over, Mandhana looked in complete control — confident footwork, clean timing and an unshakable calm that transmitted belief across the RCB dugout. Her innings wasn’t about brute power alone; it was about leadership, shot selection and big-match temperament.
By the time she crossed her half-century, the final had tilted decisively. When she reached her milestone, the stadium knew the trophy was heading to Bengaluru.
For Mandhana, the title carried personal significance. The RCB captain later acknowledged the emotional journey behind the triumph, dedicating the victory to teammates who had endured setbacks and sacrifices through the season.
Delhi Capitals’ Final Curse Continues
For Delhi Capitals, the result reopened old wounds.
Once again, they had done almost everything right across the tournament. Once again, they topped phases of the league, played fearless cricket, and reached the final with momentum.
And once again, the trophy slipped away.
Players like Jemimah Rodrigues were visibly emotional after the defeat, while DC legends and mentors watched in stunned silence. The “final jinx” — now an unavoidable talking point — continues to haunt one of the most consistent teams in WPL history.
Records Tumble in a Landmark WPL Final
The 2026 final was not just about a winner — it was about records, milestones and market-defining moments:
- Highest successful chase in a WPL final
- Smriti Mandhana crossed major career WPL batting milestones
- RCB became the most successful franchise of the WPL era
- Delhi Capitals lost their fourth WPL final
- A surge in viewership, sponsorship engagement and brand visibility for women’s cricket
This final wasn’t just a cricket match — it was a statement about how far the WPL has come.
Sophie Devine, Shreyanka Patil and the Supporting Cast
While Mandhana owned the headlines, RCB’s title run was built on collective strength.
- Sophie Devine, named the season’s MVP, delivered crucial all-round performances throughout the tournament
- Shreyanka Patil, whose journey through injuries and form struggles inspired teammates, played vital supporting roles and later dedicated the title to perseverance and belief
- RCB’s bowling unit held nerves under pressure, ensuring the chase never spiralled out of control
This was not a one-player triumph — it was the result of a franchise finally learning how to win finals.
Celebrations Beyond the Boundary
The victory sparked celebrations far beyond the stadium.
Messages poured in from across the cricketing world, including heartfelt congratulations from Virat Kohli, political leaders, Bollywood personalities and former players who hailed RCB Women for “keeping the flag flying”.
The iconic chant “Ee Saala Cup Namdu” echoed again — this time with substance, silverware and history to back it up.
Why This WPL Final Matters for Indian Women’s Cricket
The RCB vs DC final wasn’t just the climax of a season — it was a reflection of the commercial, cultural and sporting growth of women’s cricket in India.
- The WPL has proven it can deliver high-pressure classics
- Star players now command mainstream attention and brand value
- Young fans are finding new role models beyond men’s cricket
- The league is shaping future India internationals at an unprecedented pace
Moments like these don’t just crown champions — they build ecosystems.
Final Word
The WPL 2026 final will be remembered as the night Smriti Mandhana stamped her legacy, Royal Challengers Bengaluru confirmed their rise as a powerhouse, and Delhi Capitals were left searching for answers once more.
Records were broken. Hearts were tested. History was written.
And women’s cricket in India emerged stronger than ever.
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