WPL 2026 Final: Mandhana Powers RCB Past DC

The Women’s Premier League reached its decisive moment with a final that reflected the true direction of the competition.
The WPL 2026 Final featured Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women against Delhi Capitals Women, the two most consistent teams across the season.

In a high-scoring contest defined by control rather than chaos, RCB Women chased down a demanding target to win the final by six wickets, confirming their status as the most composed side of the tournament.

WPL 2026 Final Score Summary

Delhi Capitals Women: 203/4 in 20 overs

  • Jemimah Rodrigues 57
  • Arundhati Reddy 1/40

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women: 204/4 in 19.4 overs

  • Smriti Mandhana 87
  • Georgia Voll 79
  • Chinelle Henry 2/34

Result: RCB Women won by six wickets and lifted the WPL 2026 trophy.

DC Set the Challenge: 203 Runs Built on Stability

Batting first, DC Women produced one of their most balanced innings of the season. Their total of 203/4 reflected intent without recklessness, anchored by a composed half-century from Jemimah Rodrigues, who once again demonstrated her value in high-pressure matches.

DC focused on maintaining momentum rather than chasing late-innings acceleration at all costs. While the total crossed the 200-run mark, RCB’s bowling in the closing overs ensured that the score remained challenging but not unmanageable.

This subtle containment would later prove decisive.

RCB’s Chase: Mandhana Sets the Tone

Chasing 204 in a final demands clarity of role and emotional control. RCB found both through their captain.

Smriti Mandhana produced one of the defining innings of the WPL 2026 season, scoring 87 runs with a blend of timing, placement, and situational awareness. Her innings was not about rapid acceleration, but about ensuring the chase never drifted out of control.

At the other end, Georgia Voll played the perfect supporting role with 79 runs, absorbing pressure and rotating strike when DC attempted to slow the game.

Together, the pair removed urgency from the equation.

Why the Chase Worked: Control Over Drama

Unlike many finals decided in the final over, this match was shaped earlier.

RCB avoided the most common pitfall of high chases: clusters of wickets. There was no collapse, no panic phase. Each time DC tried to apply pressure, RCB responded with disciplined shot selection and steady strike rotation.

For fans following live run-rate shifts and momentum swings through platforms such as Vijaybet 11, the trend became clear well before the final overs. RCB were consistently ahead of the required rate without taking unnecessary risks.

The chase was completed in 19.4 overs — not with fireworks, but with authority.

Key Bowling Contributions

While the focus rightly fell on RCB’s batters, their bowlers also played a critical role.

Chinelle Henry’s figures of 2/34 ensured that DC could not fully break free during the middle overs. These controlled spells reduced the margin DC had hoped to build, leaving RCB with a target that could be planned for rather than survived.

Finals are often won by batters, but they are prepared by bowlers.

WPL 2026 Individual Awards: Season Excellence Recognised

The conclusion of the final also marked the presentation of WPL 2026 individual honours, highlighting sustained performance across the season:

  • Orange Cap (Most Runs): Smriti Mandhana (RCB)
  • Purple Cap (Most Wickets): Sophie Devine (Gujarat Giants)
  • Most Valuable Player: Sophie Devine (Gujarat Giants)
  • Emerging Player of the Season: Nandani Sharma (Delhi Capitals)

Despite not featuring in the final, Sophie Devine was recognised for her all-round impact, underlining that WPL awards are based on season-long influence rather than single-match visibility.

What This Title Means for RCB

For RCB Women, the WPL 2026 championship represents a structural breakthrough.

This was not a title won on individual brilliance alone. The team showed depth, clearly defined roles, and the ability to execute under pressure. Younger players contributed without hesitation, and leadership decisions remained consistent throughout the tournament.

This balance is what separates champions from finalists.

DC’s Perspective: A Final Lost, Not Momentum Broken

For DC Women, the defeat will be disappointing, but not damaging.

Posting over 200 in a final and remaining competitive throughout reflects a system that continues to deliver. The experience gained from another title run is likely to sharpen, rather than weaken, their future campaigns.

WPL 2026: A League That Has Found Its Identity

As the season concludes, WPL 2026 leaves behind a clear message.

The league is no longer defined by experimentation. It is now shaped by structure, planning, and consistency. Fans who followed the tournament closely — in stadiums, on broadcasts, or through platforms like Vijaybet 11 — witnessed a competition that understands its own rhythm.

RCB Women’s title win was not just a result. It was confirmation that the WPL has entered a mature phase of its evolution.

FAQ

Q1. What was the final result of the WPL 2026 final between RCB and DC?

RCB Women chased down DC Women’s 203/4 to reach 204/4 in 19.4 overs, winning the WPL 2026 final by six wickets.

Q2. Who was the key performer in the WPL 2026 final?

Smriti Mandhana was the key performer in the final, scoring 87 for RCB Women and controlling the chase from the start.

Q3. What did Smriti Mandhana score in the WPL 2026 final?

Smriti Mandhana scored 87 runs in the final, setting the tempo and keeping the required run rate under control throughout the chase.

Q4. Who won the Orange Cap in WPL 2026?

Smriti Mandhana (RCB) won the Orange Cap as the leading run-scorer of the WPL 2026 season.

Q5. Who won the MVP award in WPL 2026?

Sophie Devine (Gujarat Giants) won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for her all-round performance across the WPL 2026 season.