Royal Challengers Bengaluru Triumph in WPL 2026 Final, Securing Second Championship Title
In a spectacular display of batting prowess, Royal Challengers Bengaluru clinched their second Women's Premier League title with a commanding 6-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals. The final, held at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara on February 5, 2026, witnessed RCB captain Smriti Mandhana and Georgia Voll orchestrating a remarkable chase of 204 runs, delivering another heartbreaking defeat to Delhi Capitals in a WPL final.
Mandhana and Voll's Dominant Partnership Seals Victory
Smriti Mandhana, leading from the front, played a captain's knock of 87 runs, while Georgia Voll contributed a crucial 79 runs. Their partnership made a mockery of the challenging target set by Delhi Capitals, showcasing exceptional timing and aggressive stroke play. The duo's calculated assault on the Delhi bowling attack ensured RCB reached the target with relative ease, sparking celebrations among the Bengaluru camp and their supporters.
Delhi Capitals' Batting Firepower Falls Short Despite Record Final Total
Earlier in the match, Delhi Capitals, asked to bat first, posted the highest total in a WPL final history - 203 for 4 in their 20 overs. Captain Jemimah Rodrigues rose to the occasion with a scintillating 57 off just 37 balls, providing the backbone of Delhi's innings. She was well-supported by Laura Wolvaardt, who remained unbeaten on 44 off 25 deliveries, and Lizelle Lee, who contributed 37 runs from 30 balls.
Chinelle Henry provided the late fireworks with a blistering 15-ball 35, pushing Delhi's total beyond the 200-run mark. The innings gained momentum after a cautious start, with Lee breaking free in the fourth over by hitting medium pacer Sayali Satghare for two consecutive sixes. Despite an early wicket of Shafali Verma, caught smartly by wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh off Arundhati Reddy's bowling, Delhi maintained a healthy run rate throughout their innings.
RCB's Bowling Effort and Delhi's Final Curse Continues
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's bowlers faced a daunting task but managed to keep the match within reach. Lauren Bell and Sayali Satghare started economically, conceding just nine runs in the first three overs. However, the fourth over proved expensive as Lee took advantage of loose deliveries. Nadine de Klerk provided the breakthrough by dismissing the dangerous Lee, with Grace Harris completing a clean catch running in from long-on.
The partnership between Rodrigues and Wolvaardt added 76 valuable runs, keeping RCB under constant pressure. Despite Delhi's imposing total and reaching every WPL final since the tournament's inception, they have now failed to secure a single championship, extending their unfortunate record in title matches.
Historical Context and Tournament Significance
This victory marks Royal Challengers Bengaluru's second WPL title, solidifying their status as one of the premier franchises in women's cricket. The match demonstrated the growing quality and competitiveness of the Women's Premier League, with both teams showcasing world-class talent and thrilling cricket. The final will be remembered for Mandhana's leadership, Voll's composed innings, and Delhi's continued misfortune in championship deciders.
The result underscores the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket, where even record-breaking totals can be chased down with determined batting performances. As the WPL continues to grow in stature, this final has set a new benchmark for excitement and quality in women's franchise cricket.
