WPL 2026: Royal Challengers Bengaluru completes record chase to seal second title
Smriti Mandhana and Georgia Voll couldn’t have found a better occasion to produce a partnership for the ages.
With the Women’s Premier League trophy up for grabs against Delhi Capitals at the Kotambi Stadium on Thursday, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru pair came together in pursuit of a target of 204 and left the opponent and onlookers in a daze with a sublime show of stroke-play.
The record stand between skipper Smriti and Voll, worth 165 runs, helped RCB clinch its second title in four years.
AS IT HAPPENED: RCB vs DC WPL FINAL
While Smriti caressed her way to a 41-ball 87, Voll hit 79 (54b, 14×4) as the southern side tracked down the highest target in a WPL final with six wickets in hand and two balls to spare.
The climax wasn’t without its nervous moments as RCB lost four wickets in quick succession. With 10 runs needed by the Bengaluru outfit off the final over, bowled by Shree Charani, a couple of singles were followed by back-to-back fours from Radha Yadav to finish the game in style. Radha was dropped by Minnu Mani in the penultimate over of the chase.
For Jemimah Rodrigues’ DC, a fourth straight runner-up finish will be a bitter pill to swallow.
Despite the dismissal of Grace Harris in the second over, RCB kept up with the asking rate through the partnership between Smriti and Voll. In the initial stages, Smriti didn’t get much strike. Voll took charge — cheeky ramps behind the wicket, fierce cuts square on the off-side and elegant drives in front all flowed from the Australian’s willow.
Through the middle overs, Smriti came into her own. She deployed her twinkling feet against spin in serene fashion, notably dancing down the track to Shree Charani for a six over long-on in the 11th over.
RCB’s response with the bat overshadowed Jemimah’s 37-ball 57. The rest of the Capitals batters chipped in with brisk contributions. Laura Wolvaardt (44, 25b, 3×4, 2×6) and Chinelle Henry (35 n.o., 15b, 4×4, 2×6) provided the finishing kick with a blistering stand of 55 runs. Wolvaardt also forged a 76-run partnership with Jemimah.
Published on Feb 05, 2026
