Smriti Mandhana's Blazing Innings Secures RCB's Second WPL Crown in Thrilling Final
In a spectacular display of power-hitting and nerve, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) etched their name in history by lifting the Women's Premier League (WPL) trophy for the second time. The team achieved this feat by successfully chasing down a daunting target of 204 runs against Delhi Capitals in a high-octane final held in Vadodara on Thursday night.
This victory marks a significant milestone for RCB, while Delhi Capitals endured their fourth defeat in a WPL final across the league's five-season history, adding to their heartbreak in title clashes.
Record-Breaking Chase Led by Mandhana and Voll
Facing the highest target ever set in a WPL match, RCB's captain Smriti Mandhana and opening partner Georgia Voll unleashed a batting masterclass. Mandhana, in particular, was in devastating form, smashing a belligerent 87 runs off just 41 deliveries. Her innings, which included a flurry of boundaries, effectively deflated the Capitals' bowling attack early in the chase.
Joining forces in the second over, Mandhana and Voll went berserk, with the latter contributing a crucial 79 off 54 balls. Their partnership was nothing short of phenomenal, as they dismantled the Capitals' attack with a massive 165-run stand off only 92 balls. From the fifth over onwards, the run rate never dipped below nine runs per over, showcasing their dominance and control under pressure.
Mandhana's marauding performance overshadowed a classy innings from her best friend and Delhi Capitals captain, Jemimah Rodrigues, who had earlier scored a fine 57 off 37 balls. The RCB duo found the fence at will, operating in a zone that completely defied the immense scoreboard pressure.
Nail-Biting Finish Sees RCB Home
Even after Minnu Mani broke the dangerous partnership by dismissing Georgia Voll in the 17th over, RCB remained firmly in the driver's seat, requiring just 27 runs from the final 18 balls. However, the chase turned tense in the 18th over when Nandani Sharma sent new batter Richa Ghosh packing, leaving 18 runs to get from 12 deliveries.
The pressure intensified further when captain Smriti Mandhana was removed by Chinelle Henry with 13 runs still needed off the last eight balls. In a dramatic climax, Radha Yadav held her nerve, scoring an unbeaten 12 off just 5 balls, including back-to-back boundaries through extra-cover, to guide RCB across the finish line in a thrilling conclusion.
Delhi Capitals' Strong Total Proves Insufficient
Earlier in the match, Delhi Capitals captain Jemimah Rodrigues showcased her class and composure, scoring a fine half-century to propel her team to a formidable total of 203/4. Rodrigues meant business from the word go, joining Laura Wolvaardt in the middle at 72/2 in the eighth over.
Their 76-run partnership was eventually broken by Sayali Satghare in the 16th over, as the Capitals' skipper swept a full toss straight to Nadine de Klerk at deep backward square-leg. From there, Wolvaardt (44 off 25 balls) and Chinelle Henry (35 not out off 15 balls) took charge, forging a rapid 54-run stand off just 24 balls.
They saw off the dangerous Lauren Bell in the 17th over with calmness, but exploded in the final three overs, hammering 49 runs to dent RCB's bowling attack. Apart from Bell's economical spell of 4-0-19-0, RCB's frontline bowlers were put to the sword by the Capitals batters, with the rest leaking runs at an economy rate of above 10 runs per over.
Key Statistics from the Historic Match
- 204 - RCB's score of 204/4 represents the highest successful chase in WPL history, surpassing their own previous record of 202/4 against Gujarat Giants in Vadodara on February 14, 2025.
- 87 - Smriti Mandhana set a new record for the highest individual score in a WPL final with her explosive innings.
- 57 - Jemimah Rodrigues became the first batter from Delhi Capitals to post a fifty in a WPL final and the third overall to hit a half-century in the league's title clash.
This match will be remembered as a testament to the growing competitiveness and excitement of women's cricket, with RCB's triumph adding another glorious chapter to the WPL's legacy.
