In a nail-biting finale, Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Delhi Capitals by six wickets to lift the Women’s Premier League 2026 trophy, their second in the competition’s history. Captain Smriti Mandhana led from the front, her record-shattering knock proving decisive in what will be remembered as one of the most dominant final performances.
Opening the innings, Mandhana smashed 87 off 41 deliveries, obliterating the previous WPL final record of 66 set by Harmanpreet Kaur in 2025. Georgia Wareham’s 79 not out formed the backbone of a historic 165-run alliance for the second wicket, now the gold standard in WPL partnerships and women’s T20 finals alike. This stand didn’t just break records; it demolished them, becoming the first 100-plus partnership in a WPL decider.
Her 23-ball fifty was the quickest in WPL playoffs and her personal best in the league. Tournament-wise, Mandhana’s 377 runs from nine outings, with an average over 53 and strike rate exceeding 153, earned her the Orange Cap – the second-highest seasonal tally ever. Milestones kept coming: 1,000 WPL runs (fifth player to do so) and RCB’s all-time leading scorer.
Mandhana now boasts involvement in six century partnerships in WPL, a unique record. This victory cements RCB’s status as a powerhouse, with Mandhana’s consistency and flair at the forefront. The future looks bright for women’s T20 as icons like her continue to inspire.
