Vadodara’s BCA Stadium is electric as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) gears up to defend their aspirations in the WPL 2026 summit showdown against Delhi Capitals (DC). Smriti Mandhana called right at the toss, opting to chase in what promises to be a tactical masterclass.
‘Fielding first feels right,’ Mandhana stated post-toss. ‘The trend favors it, and chasing on this wicket gives us clarity.’ Unchanged from their last match, RCB’s squad is primed for action.
Jemimah Rodrigues of DC took the toss defeat in stride: ‘Big matches often turn on such moments. We’re set with the same team, and familiarity with this pitch from the eliminator is a bonus.’
DC’s final appearances tell a story of near-misses: fourth final, but losses to MI in seasons one and three, and to RCB in two. Their quest for a maiden title burns bright.
RCB, hungry for back-to-back success, brings firepower and strategy. The wicket, tested recently, should offer balanced conditions.
Full DC XI: Lizelle Lee (wk), Shafali Verma, Laura Wolvaardt, Jemimah Rodrigues (capt), Marizanne Kapp, Chinelle Henry, Niki Prasad, Sneh Rana, Minnu Mani, Sri Charani, Nandini Sharma.
RCB’s brigade: Grace Harris, Smriti Mandhana (capt), Georgia Voll, Richa Ghosh (wk), Radha Yadav, Nadine de Klerk, Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Sayali Satghare, Shreyanka Patil, Lauren Bell.
With stars aligned and strategies locked, this final could produce moments of magic, crowning a deserving champion in the WPL saga.
