Epic Triumph! RCB Women Chase Down 204 to Clinch 2nd WPL 2026 Title in Record-Breaking Final Thriller

WPL 2026 final delivered pure drama, fireworks, and history at BCA Stadium, Kotambi, Vadodara on February 5, 2026. Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (RCB) pulled off the impossible – the highest successful chase in WPL history – overhauling Delhi Capitals Women’s (DC) challenging 203/4 with six wickets and two balls to spare. This victory marked RCB’s second WPL crown (first in 2024) and completed a rare franchise double, as RCB also hold the men’s IPL title – the first time any franchise has achieved this feat.

Captain Smriti Mandhana played a captain’s knock of 87 off just 41 balls (12 fours, 3 sixes, SR 212.20), earning Player of the Match and the Orange Cap (377 runs this season). She stitched a monumental 165-run stand for the second wicket with Georgia Voll (79 off 54, 14 fours), the highest partnership in WPL history (any wicket) and the biggest in any women’s T20 final.

DC suffered their fourth straight final defeat – twice to Mumbai Indians (2023 & 2025) and now twice to RCB (2024 & 2026) – despite posting a formidable total. The match aggregate of 407 runs became the highest in any women’s T20 final (leagues or internationals).

This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement of RCB’s dominance in WPL 2026. They topped the league stage, waited a week for the final after direct qualification, and showed incredible belief under pressure.

In this detailed recap from IPL Star, we break down every phase, key performances, records shattered, tactical masterstrokes, and emotional reactions. Whether you’re an RCB fan chanting “Ee Sala Cup Namdu 2!” or a neutral cricket lover, this final will be remembered for years.

WPL 2026 Final: Match Summary

Toss: Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women won and elected to bowl first – a bold call on a batting-friendly pitch.

Venue: BCA Stadium, Kotambi, Vadodara
Result: Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women beat Delhi Capitals Women by 6 wickets (with 2 balls remaining)
Player of the Match: Smriti Mandhana (RCB) – 87 (41)
Umpires: Ankita Guha, Gayathri Venugopalan
Broadcast: JioHotstar (streaming), Star Sports Network (TV)

Brief Scores

TeamScoreOversKey PerformersResult
Delhi Capitals Women203/420Jemimah Rodrigues 57 (37), Laura Wolvaardt 44 (25), Chinelle Henry 35* (15)–
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women204/419.4Smriti Mandhana 87 (41), Georgia Voll 79 (54)Won by 6 wickets

Match Aggregate: 407 runs – highest in women’s T20 finals
Boundaries: 53 fours & 10 sixes – run-fest at its finest

Full Scorecard – Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women vs Delhi Capitals Women

Delhi Capitals Innings – 203/4 (20 overs)

BatterDismissalRunsBalls4s6sSR
Lizelle Lee (wk)c Grace Harris b Nadine de Klerk373033123.33
Shafali Vermac Richa Ghosh b Arundhati Reddy201330153.85
Laura Wolvaardtrun out (Arundhati Reddy/Richa Ghosh)442532176.00
Jemimah Rodrigues (c)c Nadine de Klerk b Sayali Satghare573780154.05
Chinelle Henrynot out351542233.33
Extras(w 10)10––––
Total203/4––––RR 10.15

Did not bat: Marizanne Kapp, Niki Prasad, Sneh Rana, Minnu Mani, Shree Charani, Nandani Sharma

RCB Bowling

BowlerOversMaidensRunsWicketsEconomy
Lauren Bell401904.80
Sayali Satghare4046111.50
Arundhati Reddy4040110.00
Nadine de Klerk4048112.00

Fall of Wickets: 49/1 (5.5 ov), 72/2 (7.3 ov), 148/3 (15.6 ov), 203/4 (20 ov)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Innings – 204/4 (19.4 overs)

BatterDismissalRunsBalls4s6sSR
Grace Harrisb Chinelle Henry9720128.57
Smriti Mandhana (c)b Chinelle Henry8741123212.20
Georgia Vollc Shafali Verma b Minnu Mani7954140146.30
Richa Ghosh (wk)c Minnu Mani b Nandni Sharma6610100.00
Nadine de Klerknot out7510140.00
Radha Yadavnot out12520240.00
Extras(b 2, w 2)4––––
Total204/4––––RR 10.37

Did not bat: Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Sayali Satghare, Shreyanka Patil, Lauren Bell

DC Bowling

BowlerOversMaidensRunsWicketsEconomy
Chinelle Henry403428.50
Nandni Sharma4041110.20
Minnu Mani201919.50

Fall of Wickets: 9/1 (1.1 ov), 174/2 (16.3 ov), 181/3 (17.4 ov), 191/4 (18.4 ov)

Powerplays: DC 53/1, RCB 59/1

Delhi Capitals Innings: How DC Posted 203/4

DC started slowly against Lauren Bell’s pinpoint accuracy – just 9 runs in the first three overs. Lizelle Lee exploded in the fourth over with back-to-back sixes off Sayali Satghare (20-run over, including wides and a drop).

Shafali Verma added quick 20 before edging behind. Jemimah Rodrigues then took center stage with a classy 57 off 37 (8 fours), anchoring 76 with Laura Wolvaardt (44 off 25). Chinelle Henry provided late carnage – 35* off 15, including 24 off de Klerk’s 19th over.

Key Phases

  • Powerplay: 53/1 – slow but survived Bell (4-0-19-0, match-defining spell per Mandhana).
  • Middle overs: Rodrigues dominated spin, reaching fifty off 32 balls.
  • Death overs: 55 runs in last 5 – Henry’s blitz pushed DC beyond 200.

Was 203 par? On this flat track, experts felt 180-190 was defendable, but RCB’s batting depth proved otherwise.

The Greatest Chase in WPL History: RCB Overhaul 204

Grace Harris fell early (b Henry first ball), but Mandhana & Voll took over from 9/1.

The Record Stand: 165 off 92 balls – Voll aggressive early (Powerplay strike), Mandhana explosive post-Powerplay (fastest WPL playoff fifty – 23 balls).

Mandhana’s masterclass included inside-out drives, pulls for six, and effortless timing despite illness. Voll’s 14 fours showcased innovation (scoops, laps).

Late Twist: Three wickets in 14 balls (Voll 79, Ghosh 6, Mandhana 87) left 30 off 21. Minnu Mani dropped Radha Yadav – costly error. Radha sealed it with back-to-back boundaries off Shree Charani.

Shot of the Night: Mandhana’s shimmy-and-loft over long-off vs Charani.

Records Shattered: Historic Night in Vadodara

Record TypeAchievementPrevious Best
Highest successful chase in WPL204 by RCB202 by RCB (2025)
Highest partnership in WPL (any wicket)165 – Mandhana & Voll162 – Lanning & Shafali (2023)
Highest individual score in WPL final87 – Smriti Mandhana66 – Harmanpreet Kaur (2025)
Highest match aggregate in women’s T20 final407 runsPrevious highs below 400
Fastest fifty in WPL playoffsMandhana – 23 balls29 balls (Sciver-Brunt, 2025)
Most runs in WPL 2026 seasonSmriti Mandhana – 377–

Additional milestones: First 175+ chase in women’s T20 finals; RCB first table-topper to win WPL; Mandhana 5th to 1000+ WPL runs.

For more stats ESPNcricinfo.

Awards and Presentation Ceremony

  • Player of the Match: Smriti Mandhana
  • Orange Cap: Smriti Mandhana (377 runs)
  • Purple Cap: Sophie Devine (17 wickets)
  • Emerging Player: Nandni Sharma (DC)

Smriti lifted the trophy amid red-gold confetti. Emotional scenes followed – Mandhana consoling tearful friend Jemimah Rodrigues.

Post-Match Reactions: Joy for RCB, Heartbreak for DC

Smriti Mandhana (RCB Captain & POTM):
“Very pleased. RCB fans are the best… Three titles in three years for the franchise – amazing. Credit to Lauren Bell – match-winning spell. Volly led the way… I told the girls Volly would get a match-winning knock. Hard work in the gym gave belief to chase anything. Ee Sala Cup Namdu 2!”

Jemimah Rodrigues (DC Captain):
“Couldn’t be prouder… Character to reach finals incredible. 204 great score. We fought hard – sometimes you come up short.”

Georgia Voll:
“Super special… Batting with Smriti – one of the cleanest hitters. Intent spot-on after tough season.”

Radha Yadav:
“Win for management who backed us. Practised situations – paid off.”

Lauren Bell:
“What a game! Bell spell kept us in hunt. Fans amazing.”

Tactical Breakdown: What Decided the Final?

RCB Bowling: Bell’s control (4.80 econ) restricted early. Death restraint pulled DC back from 180+ potential.

DC Bowling: Failed to break Mandhana-Voll stand. Dropped catch proved fatal.

Captaincy: Mandhana calm & proactive; Rodrigues aggressive but outmatched in chase.

Fielding: Mani’s drop turned tide.

Road to the Final: RCB Dominance vs DC Resilience

RCB won 5 straight, topped table (first table-topper winner). DC resilient despite inconsistent league.

Legacy of WPL 2026: RCB’s Double & Women’s Cricket Milestone

RCB’s IPL-WPL double historic. Mandhana’s leadership cements legacy. WPL growth evident in crowds, viewership, and records.

Fan Frenzy: Bengaluru streets erupted. “Ee Sala Cup Namdu 2!” trended. Heartbreak for DC fans, but respect for their consistency.

This WPL 2026 final was a celebration of women’s cricket – explosive, emotional, unforgettable. RCB deserved champions. What a season!

Delhi Capitals Crush Gujarat Giants by 7 Wickets in Thrilling WPL 2026 Eliminator – Storm Into 4th Straight Final!

Conclusion: A Final for the Ages

The WPL 2026 final at BCA Stadium, Vadodara, on February 5, 2026, was more than a match—it was a landmark moment in women’s cricket. Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women completed the highest successful chase in WPL history, overhauling Delhi Capitals’ 203/4 with six wickets and two balls to spare, to claim their second title in three seasons. Smriti Mandhana’s explosive 87 off 41 balls and Georgia Voll’s classy 79 off 54 forged a record 165-run partnership—the highest ever in the WPL and the biggest stand in any women’s T20 final.

This victory delivered the first-ever IPL-WPL double for a single franchise, a feat that underscores RCB’s dominance across both leagues. The match produced 407 runs—the highest aggregate in any women’s T20 final—along with 53 fours and 10 sixes in a breathtaking display of power-hitting and composure under pressure. For RCB, it was vindication after years of near-misses; for Delhi Capitals, a fourth consecutive final defeat despite another strong campaign led by Jemimah Rodrigues’ elegant 57.

Beyond the scoreboard, the final highlighted the rapid evolution of the Women’s Premier League: record-breaking chases, sold-out crowds, and global viewership. Mandhana’s leadership, Lauren Bell’s disciplined opening spell, and the fearless intent of RCB’s batting line-up set a new benchmark. This WPL 2026 final recap shows why this game will be remembered as a classic—a celebration of skill, resilience, and the unstoppable rise of women’s T20 cricket.

FAQs – WPL 2026 Final

Who won the WPL 2026 final? Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women defeated Delhi Capitals Women by 6 wickets with 2 balls remaining to win their second WPL title.

Who was the Player of the Match in the WPL 2026 final? Smriti Mandhana was named Player of the Match for her match-winning 87 off 41 balls (12 fours, 3 sixes).

What was the highest successful chase in WPL history? RCB’s chase of 204 against Delhi Capitals in the WPL 2026 final became the highest successful chase in WPL history, surpassing their own previous record of 202.

Which partnership set a new WPL record in the WPL 2026 final? WPL 2026 final Smriti Mandhana and Georgia Voll added 165 runs for the second wicket—the highest partnership for any wicket in WPL history and the biggest stand in any women’s T20 final.

How many runs did Smriti Mandhana score in the WPL 2026 final? WPL 2026 final Smriti Mandhana scored 87 runs off 41 balls at a strike rate of 212.20, including 12 fours and 3 sixes.

What records were broken in the WPL 2026 final?

  • Highest successful chase in WPL (204)
  • Highest partnership in WPL (165 runs)
  • Highest match aggregate in women’s T20 finals (407 runs)
  • Fastest fifty in WPL playoffs (Mandhana – 23 balls)
  • Highest individual score in a WPL final (Mandhana 87)

Where and when was the WPL 2026 final played? The WPL 2026 final was played on February 5, 2026, at BCA Stadium, Kotambi, Vadodara.

What was the match aggregate in the WPL 2026 final? WPL 2026 final The aggregate of 407 runs (DC 203/4 + RCB 204/4) is the highest ever recorded in any women’s T20 final.

Did any franchise achieve an IPL-WPL double before RCB in 2026? WPL 2026 final No. RCB became the first franchise in history to hold both the IPL (men’s) and WPL (women’s) titles in the same period.

Who won the Orange Cap in WPL 2026? WPL 2026 final Smriti Mandhana won the Orange Cap with 377 runs across the season.

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