WPL 2026 Final: Smriti Mandhana and Georgia Voll Power RCB to Second Title

Royal Challengers Bengaluru clinched their second Women’s Premier League title in dramatic fashion, masterminding the highest-ever chase in WPL 2026 history to deny Delhi Capitals for the fourth time in a final. Georgia Voll and Smriti Mandhana produced a batting masterclass, putting on the biggest partnership in WPL history to guide RCB to a thrilling six-wicket victory in Vadodara on February 5, 2026.

The match went down to the wire, with RCB losing three wickets in just 14 balls towards the end. With eight needed off four balls, Radha Yadav hit two consecutive boundaries off N Shree Charani to complete a thrilling chase and spark wild celebrations among the RCB camp.

WPL 2026 Final: Match Summary

FIRST INNINGS: Delhi Capitals – 203/4 (20 overs)

After RCB won the toss and elected to bowl first in the WPL 2026 final, Delhi Capitals set about building a formidable total at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara. What followed was a batting display that produced the second-highest first-innings total in any Women’s T20 tournament final.

The Powerplay Assault

Delhi Capitals began steadily before Lizelle Lee took charge, launching back-to-back sixes off Sayali Satghare in the fourth over. In a chaotic over that included six runs off wides, Satghare ended up conceding 20 runs and also spilled a chance of Shafali Verma.

Shafali Verma, opening alongside Lee, started aggressively with two fours off Arundhati Reddy in the sixth over. However, she could not capitalise on the dropped chance, edging to the keeper in the same over and departing for 20 off 13 balls. Her dismissal brought an end to the opening partnership but not to Delhi Capitals’ momentum.

Lee and Wolvaardt Partnership

Laura Wolvaardt then joined Lee at the crease, and the duo took charge of the innings in spectacular fashion. They hit 19 runs off offspinner Shreyanka Patil in the seventh over, which included three fours and a six, showcasing their intent to capitalize on the powerplay restrictions.

The partnership was threatening to take the game away from RCB when Nadine de Klerk was introduced into the attack. The all-rounder created an impact straightaway. After Lee had an lbw decision reversed, de Klerk struck back in the same over, drawing her into a big swing and a miscue that went straight up and was taken by Grace Harris charging in from long-on. Lee departed for 37, having laid a strong foundation for Delhi Capitals.

Jemimah Rodrigues’ Cover-Driving Masterclass

Jemimah Rodrigues, having found form in recent games in the WPL 2026, was in full flow from the moment she arrived at the crease. She looked in sublime touch, punishing remotely wide deliveries and not letting the momentum slip away after Lee’s dismissal.

When Radha Yadav strayed full, Rodrigues caressed her past extra cover for her first boundary of the day. She kept peppering that region throughout her innings, driving de Klerk twice and Patil once for fours in the 10th and 11th overs respectively.

Rodrigues then hit Patil for two more fours in the same over, bending her back knee to slog over short midwicket and rocking back to cut behind point. The RCB bowlers had no answers to her array of strokes, particularly her cover drives which were executed with textbook precision.

The right-hander soon brought up her half-century off just 32 balls, showcasing her excellent form. However, she departed shortly after reaching the milestone, holing out to deep backward square leg off a full-toss. Her innings of 57 off 32 balls provided crucial impetus to the Delhi Capitals total at a vital stage.

Wolvaardt’s Steady Contribution

Laura Wolvaardt, at the other end, began steadily before finding her rhythm. The South African batter cleared the ropes twice during her innings, maintaining the scoring rate as wickets fell around her. She contributed a valuable 44 runs, providing stability in the middle overs alongside Rodrigues.

Chinelle Henry’s Devastating Finish

Just when it seemed Delhi Capitals might finish around the 180-mark, Chinelle Henry produced a match-changing cameo. The West Indian all-rounder inflicted late damage on the RCB bowling attack, particularly targeting Nadine de Klerk in the 19th over.

Henry hit de Klerk for three fours and a six in a devastating display of power-hitting, scoring 24 runs off that single over. Her clean striking left the RCB fielders helpless as she found gaps and cleared boundaries at will.

The carnage continued in the final over bowled by Sayali Satghare, which went for 15 runs. Henry remained unbeaten on 35, and her late assault propelled Delhi Capitals to 203 for 4 – the second-highest first-innings total in any Women’s T20 tournament final.

Delhi Capitals Innings – Key Performances

Delhi Capitals Bowling Analysis

RCB’s bowling figures showed the damage done in the final overs. Sayali Satghare conceded 20 runs in the fourth over and 15 in the final over, while Nadine de Klerk’s figures were tarnished by the 24-run 19th over. Despite these setbacks, RCB had restricted Delhi Capitals reasonably well for most of the innings before the late onslaught.

SECOND INNINGS: Royal Challengers Bengaluru – 204/4 (19.4 overs)

Chasing 204 for their second WPL 2026 title, RCB needed a strong start. However, they found themselves in early trouble, losing a wicket in the first over. What followed was one of the greatest partnerships in women’s T20 cricket history.

Early Setback

RCB’s chase began poorly as they lost an early wicket, finding themselves at 9 for 1. The pressure of chasing 204 in a WPL final seemed to be getting to them. Delhi Capitals had struck early, and the required run rate was climbing. However, this is when Smriti Mandhana and Georgia Voll took charge.

The Record-Breaking Partnership: Mandhana and Voll

Smriti Mandhana and Georgia Voll came together at 9 for 1, and what transpired over the next 92 balls was nothing short of extraordinary. The pair put on 165 runs – the highest-ever partnership for any wicket in the entire history of the WPL 2026.

Mandhana, the left-handed maestro and RCB captain, played an innings of sublime timing and power. Her 87 off 41 balls was an exhibition of controlled aggression, blending elegance with brute force. She found boundaries at will, dismantling the Delhi Capitals bowling attack with her trademark drives and pulls.

The southpaw never allowed the required run rate to pressure her, instead taking the attack to the Delhi Capitals bowlers from the outset. Her ability to find gaps in the field and clear the boundaries when needed kept RCB ahead of the asking rate throughout the partnership.

Georgia Voll, the young Australian opener, matched her captain stroke for stroke. Her 79 was equally impressive, showing maturity beyond her years as she kept pace with Mandhana throughout their record-breaking stand. The 21-year-old played with freedom and confidence, rotating strike efficiently and punishing loose deliveries.

The pair complemented each other perfectly. When one was tied down, the other would take charge. Their running between the wickets was sharp, and their shot selection immaculate. The Delhi Capitals bowlers tried everything – changes in pace, variations in length, different field settings – but nothing worked against this onslaught.

The Record Partnership – Statistical Breakdown

By the time Mandhana was dismissed for 87 off 41 balls, RCB needed just 30 runs from 28 balls with 8 wickets in hand. The chase that had seemed daunting at 204 was now well within reach. When Voll departed shortly after for 79, having done her job magnificently, RCB were 174 for 2.

The Dramatic Finale

With victory in sight and RCB cruising, Delhi Capitals struck back. In a dramatic twist, RCB lost three wickets in just 14 balls, creating tension in what had seemed like a comfortable chase. The dismissals brought Delhi Capitals back into the contest, raising hopes of an improbable victory.

The equation came down to eight runs needed off the final four balls. Radha Yadav, the left-handed batter, was on strike facing N Shree Charani. The pressure was immense, but Yadav held her nerve.

She struck the first ball for a boundary, bringing the equation down to four needed off three balls. The next delivery was dispatched for another boundary, and the WPL 2026 final was over. Radha Yadav had hit two consecutive boundaries to seal the victory with two balls to spare. The winning boundary saw an errant bail add a dash of drama to the celebratory moment as RCB players rushed onto the field in jubilation.

RCB Innings – Batting Performances

RCB’s Chase – Phase-wise Breakdown

The successful chase of 204 became the highest run chase in WPL 2026 history, surpassing all previous records. RCB’s approach was aggressive yet calculated, with Mandhana and Voll ensuring they never fell behind the required rate.

Match Awards and Honors

Player of the Match: Smriti Mandhana

Smriti Mandhana was unanimously awarded the Player of the Match for her match-winning knock of 87 off 41 balls. Her innings was the cornerstone of RCB’s successful chase and demonstrated her ability to perform under pressure in the biggest matches.

Player of the Series: Sophie Devine

Sophie Devine was named Player of the Series for the WPL 2026. The New Zealand all-rounder had an outstanding tournament, amassing 243 runs and taking 17 wickets, showcasing her all-round brilliance throughout the competition.

Historic Achievement for RCB

This victory marked RCB’s second WPL title, having previously defeated Delhi Capitals in the 2024 final as well. The franchise has now established itself as one of the most successful teams in the short history of the Women’s Premier League.

For RCB, the triumph was built on a perfect blend of experienced match-winners like Mandhana and emerging talents like Voll. The team’s ability to chase down the second-highest first-innings total in any Women’s T20 tournament final demonstrated their quality and mental strength.

Both teams were unchanged from their previous matches, showing the trust management had in their playing XI. RCB’s decision to bowl first paid dividends as they successfully chased down the target.

Delhi Capitals’ Fourth Final Heartbreak

For Delhi Capitals, it was another heartbreaking defeat in a WPL final – their fourth such loss. Despite posting a formidable total of 203 for 4, built on excellent contributions from Jemimah Rodrigues (57), Laura Wolvaardt (44), Lizelle Lee (37), and Chinelle Henry (35*), they couldn’t defend the target against an inspired RCB batting unit.

The loss will be particularly difficult to digest given the strong position they built through their batting performance. The second-highest first-innings total in any Women’s T20 tournament final should have been enough, but they ran into a partnership of unprecedented brilliance from Mandhana and Voll.

Key Records from WPL 2026 Final

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