In a stunning reversal of fortunes, Delhi Capitals delivered a clinical performance to snap Royal Challengers Bengaluru's perfect start in the Women's Premier League 2026, securing a convincing 7-wicket victory that propelled them to second place on the points table. The match, played on January 25, 2026, saw DC exact sweet revenge for their earlier defeat to RCB, showcasing superior all-round skills that left the previously unbeaten Bengaluru side reeling.
Ordinary Batting and Shoddy Fielding Cost RCB Dearly
An ordinary batting display followed by some lackluster fielding brought Royal Challengers Bengaluru crashing back to earth after their impressive winning run. Delhi Capitals, who had suffered a defeat to Smriti Mandhana's outfit just a week prior, capitalized on RCB's vulnerabilities to register their third win of the tournament. This victory not only ended RCB's unbeaten streak but also significantly boosted DC's playoff aspirations, demonstrating how quickly tables can turn in the dynamic format of T20 cricket.
Making the Most of Vadodara Conditions
The pitch at Vadodara presented a stark contrast to the surfaces in Navi Mumbai, offering a slow, low track that favored bowlers and provided some turn. The Delhi Capitals attack exploited these conditions brilliantly, primarily targeting the stumps to keep the RCB batters under constant pressure. Smriti Mandhana, who had single-handedly won the previous encounter with a blistering 96, top-scored again with 38 off 34 balls, but it was a laborious effort as she found little support from her teammates.
Apart from Mandhana's knock, only two other RCB batters managed to reach double figures as the DC bowlers bundled them out for a paltry 109. Marizanne Kapp proved her reliability with the new ball, receiving excellent support from Chinelle Henry. Nandni Sharma continued her wicket-taking form, claiming three scalps to become the tournament's highest wicket-taker. Left-arm spinner Sree Charani applied a chokehold on the RCB batting, conceding just 14 runs in her four-over spell while taking the crucial wicket of Gautami Naik.
RCB's Innings Nosedives After Early Promise
Once captain Smriti Mandhana fell with the total at 62 in the 10th over, the RCB innings completely unraveled. The highest partnership after her dismissal was a mere 16 runs, highlighting the batting collapse that followed. The Delhi bowlers maintained relentless pressure, with Nandni Sharma's 3/26, Marizanne Kapp's 2/17, and Chinelle Henry's economical 2/2 proving decisive in restricting RCB to a below-par total.
Anxious Early Moments in Delhi's Chase
Much of RCB's success in this WPL edition has been built on the potent new-ball pairing of Lauren Bell and Sayali Satghare. With a few more runs to defend and better fielding support, they might have made the chase interesting. Sayali Satghare kept the DC batters guessing with her variations, dismissing Shafali Verma through an expert stumping by wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh after the opener misjudged a delivery that straightened instead of darting in.
After Lizelle Lee holed out early, Jemimah Rodrigues survived a dropped catch by Sayali Satghare off Lauren Bell's bowling. This reprieve proved costly as Rodrigues (24) combined with Laura Wolvaardt (42 not out) to add a match-winning 52-run partnership for the third wicket. Their composed batting settled the contest decisively, with Delhi Capitals reaching the target of 110 in just 15.4 overs with seven wickets in hand.
Brief Scores and Tournament Implications
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 109 all out in 19.2 overs (Smriti Mandhana 38; Nandni Sharma 3/26, Marizanne Kapp 2/17, Chinelle Henry 2/2) lost to Delhi Capitals: 111/3 in 15.4 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 42 not out, Jemimah Rodrigues 24; Sayali Satghare 2/18) by seven wickets.
This victory marks Delhi Capitals' third win in WPL 2026 and ends Royal Challengers Bengaluru's perfect start to the tournament. The result significantly alters the playoff race, with DC now firmly positioned among the top contenders while RCB will need to regroup quickly to maintain their championship aspirations.
