WPL 2026 Concludes with RCB Victory and Individual Honors for Mandhana and Devine
The fourth edition of the Women's Premier League (WPL) reached its dramatic conclusion on Thursday, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinching the championship title by defeating Delhi Capitals by six wickets in a nail-biting final at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. This triumph elevates RCB to join Mumbai Indians as the most successful franchises in WPL history, each now holding two titles.
Smriti Mandhana's Dominant Batting Earns the Orange Cap
RCB captain Smriti Mandhana emerged as the undisputed batting star of the tournament, claiming the prestigious Orange Cap for scoring the most runs. The Indian vice-captain amassed an impressive total of 377 runs across nine matches, showcasing her consistency and leadership at the crease.
Mandhana's campaign began strongly with an unbeaten 47 against UP Warriorz. She narrowly missed her maiden WPL century, dismissed for 96 against Delhi Capitals. Despite a subsequent dip in form that concerned fans, she delivered a match-winning performance when it mattered most, scoring a crucial 87 runs in the final to secure RCB's victory over Delhi Capitals, who suffered their fourth consecutive final defeat.
Mumbai Indians captain Harmanpreet Kaur provided fierce competition, finishing a close second in the run-scoring charts with 342 runs. Her teammate Nat Sciver-Brunt secured the third position with 321 runs. The top five was rounded out by Delhi Capitals' South African duo, Lizelle Lee (320 runs) and Laura Wolvaardt (317 runs), highlighting the international flavor of the tournament's batting excellence.
Sophie Devine's Bowling Prowess Secures the Purple Cap
In the bowling department, former RCB star and current Gujarat Giants all-rounder Sophie Devine captured the Purple Cap for taking the most wickets. Devine finished with 17 wickets in nine matches, edging out young Indian bowler Nandini Sharma, who also took 17 wickets but played one more match, giving Devine the superior average.
The competition for bowling honors was intense, with RCB's Nadine de Klerk taking 16 wickets to claim third place. Mumbai Indians' Amelia Kerr (14 wickets) and Delhi Capitals' Sree Charani (14 wickets) completed the top five, demonstrating the depth of bowling talent across the league.
Statistical Highlights of WPL 2026's Top Performers
The tournament's leading run-scorers and wicket-takers showcased remarkable statistics:
- Smriti Mandhana maintained a strike rate of 153.25 and an average of 53.86, underscoring her aggressive yet reliable batting approach.
- Sophie Devine achieved an economy rate of 8.28 and an average of 16.00, proving her effectiveness as a key bowler for Gujarat Giants.
- The close margins in both categories highlight the competitive nature of WPL 2026, with minimal differences separating the top performers.
This edition of the Women's Premier League not only celebrated team success with RCB's championship win but also individual brilliance, setting a high standard for future tournaments and inspiring fans worldwide.
