Royal Challengers Bengaluru cemented their legacy in the Women’s Premier League by completing a historic run chase to secure their second championship title.
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru, under the clinical leadership of Smriti Mandhana, captured their second Women’s Premier League title on Thursday in Vadodara. In a high-stakes encounter that mirrored the intensity of their previous championship runs, Bengaluru defeated the Delhi Capitals by six wickets. The victory was defined by a record-breaking pursuit of a formidable target, further establishing the franchise as a dominant force in the rapidly evolving landscape of women’s professional cricket.
The Delhi Capitals, captained by Jemimah Rodrigues, entered the final seeking to shed their reputation for faltering in championship matches. Despite a robust batting performance that saw them post an imposing total of 203 for four, the Capitals were unable to contain a relentless Bengaluru batting lineup. The loss marks a disappointing trend for the Delhi side, who have now faced defeat in four major finals, failing once again to seize the decisive moments on the sport’s grandest domestic stage.
The match began with the Delhi Capitals being put in to bat, a decision that initially seemed to favor them as they weathered a disciplined opening spell from the Bengaluru bowlers. Lauren Bell and Sayali Satghare maintained tight lines during the first three overs, restricting the opening pair of Shafali Verma and Lizelle Lee to a mere nine runs. The early pressure suggested a low-scoring affair, but the momentum shifted dramatically in the fourth over when Lee capitalized on a series of loose deliveries to strike successive sixes, injecting much-needed energy into the Delhi innings.
Jemimah Rodrigues led from the front for the Capitals, delivering a scintillating half-century that served as the backbone of their innings. Rodrigues scored 57 runs off 37 deliveries, finding gaps with surgical precision and maintaining a high strike rate throughout her stay at the crease. She was well-supported by Laura Wolvaardt, who remained unbeaten with a brisk 44 off 25 balls, and Chinelle Henry, whose late-innings cameo of 35 runs from just 15 balls propelled the Capitals past the 200-run mark. The final score of 203 was widely regarded by commentators as a winning total in a championship final.
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru faced a daunting task as they began the highest run chase in the history of both the Women’s Premier League and the Indian Premier League finals. The pressure intensified early in the second innings when Grace Harris was dismissed for nine runs, leaving the responsibility of the chase to Mandhana and Georgia Voll. The duo responded with a masterclass in aggressive yet calculated batting, building a 165-run partnership for the second wicket that effectively took the game away from the Capitals.
Captain Smriti Mandhana was in imperious form, striking 87 runs off 41 balls. Her innings was a blend of classic strokeplay and modern power-hitting, characterized by effortless drives and authoritative pulls. Mandhana reached her half-century in just 23 deliveries, a performance that not only steadied the innings but forced the Delhi bowlers into defensive tactics. Her presence at the crease provided the tactical composure necessary to navigate the mounting required run rate during the middle overs of the chase.
At the other end, Georgia Voll played a pivotal role, matching her captain’s aggression with a robust 79 off 54 balls. Voll showed no signs of intimidation despite the magnitude of the occasion, consistently dispatching deliveries to the boundary. By the halfway mark of the innings, Bengaluru had reached 100 runs, leaving them with the task of scoring 104 runs from the final ten overs. The synergy between Mandhana and Voll kept the Capitals’ spinners at bay and prevented the Delhi fielding unit from building any sustained pressure.
As the chase entered its final phase, the equation was reduced to 54 runs required from 36 balls. The Bengaluru pair continued their dominance until Voll was eventually dismissed by Minnu Mani, providing a brief glimmer of hope for the Capitals. However, the foundation laid by the record-breaking second-wicket stand proved to be insurmountable. Even with the late loss of wickets, the Bengaluru middle order remained composed, utilizing their depth to manage the closing stages of the match with professional efficiency.
The Royal Challengers ultimately completed the chase with two balls to spare, sparking celebrations among the Bengaluru faithful. The victory moves them into a tie with the Mumbai Indians for the most titles in WPL history, a significant achievement for a franchise that has invested heavily in the development of its women’s program. The win also highlights the tactical growth of Mandhana as a leader, who has successfully integrated international stars and domestic talent into a cohesive championship-winning unit.
For the Delhi Capitals, the result necessitates a period of introspection. Despite consistent performances throughout the regular season, the team has struggled to convert their advantages into silverware. The 76-run partnership between Rodrigues and Wolvaardt was a highlight of their campaign, yet the inability of the bowling attack to defend a total exceeding 200 runs will be a primary concern for the coaching staff heading into the next season. The Capitals’ bowling unit struggled to find lengths that could trouble Mandhana or Voll on a pitch that favored high-quality batting.
The 2026 WPL season has been noted by analysts for its increased level of competition and higher scoring rates, and this final served as a definitive example of that trend. The record-setting nature of the chase reflects the evolving technical standards of the league. As the Royal Challengers Bengaluru celebrate their second title, the focus of the cricketing world remains on the continued expansion and professionalization of the WPL, which has quickly become a premier fixture on the global sporting calendar.
The trophy presentation in Vadodara honored Mandhana for her captaincy and batting excellence, while also acknowledging the contributions of the support staff and the broader organization. With two titles now in their cabinet, Bengaluru enters the offseason as the team to beat, while the Delhi Capitals are left to prepare for another attempt at breaking their championship drought in the coming year. The rivalry between these two sides, highlighted by their consecutive final appearances, continues to be a central narrative of the league.
