RCB Vs DC Highlights, WPL 2026 Final: Mandhana Guides Royal Challengers Bengaluru To Second Title

Good Evening readers. Welcome to our live coverage of the much-anticipated Women's Premier League 2026 final between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and the Delhi Capitals. This is the start of our blog, so stay tuned for the real-time updates, live scores and more.

• Fixture: RCB Vs DC

• Competition: Women's Premier League 2026 Final

• Venue: BCA Stadium, Vadodara

• Date: Thursday, February 5, 2026

• Time: 7:00 PM IST

The final of the Women's Premier League 2026 between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals will be telecast live on the Star Sports Network. It will also be streamed live on the Jio Hotstar app.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women head into the WPL 2026 final riding a dominant season, winning six of their eight matches to seal a direct spot in the summit clash and put themselves in position to chase a second title.

Delhi Capitals Women arrive with momentum of their own after a convincing seven-wicket win over Gujarat Giants Women in the Eliminator, where Lizelle Lee and Jemimah Rodrigues anchored the chase and Chinelle Henry starred with the ball.

It marks DC’s fourth straight final appearance, but with a title still missing from their cabinet, the hunger to finally cross the line will be sharper than ever.

The weather forecast for Vadodara looks promising, with no chances of rain on Thursday. Clear and sunny conditions are expected throughout the day, with temperatures ranging between 20°C and 33°C, ensuring ideal conditions for the WPL 2026 final at the Vadodara International Cricket Stadium.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women have won the toss and have opted to field.

Delhi Capitals Women (Playing XI): Lizelle Lee(w), Shafali Verma, Laura Wolvaardt, Jemimah Rodrigues(c), Marizanne Kapp, Chinelle Henry, Niki Prasad, Sneh Rana, Minnu Mani, Shree Charani, Nandani Sharma

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (Playing XI): Grace Harris, Smriti Mandhana(c), Georgia Voll, Richa Ghosh(w), Radha Yadav, Nadine de Klerk, Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Sayali Satghare, Shreyanka Patil, Lauren Bell

We'd like to field first today. Of course, it's been a trend in the tournament, but having said that, on a good wicket, it's always good to know what you're going to chase. We're playing with the same XI what we played in the last match. It's been brilliant, I feel. First 2-3 days, we all had a good time off. We didn't think a lot about cricket. And of course, in the last two or three days, we came back together, practised hard. And again, there's nice nerves, nice anxiousness, and nice excitement. And I feel you all have to embrace it. And we've all had a chat about it. And don't run away from it, just embrace it.

Well, I'm not sure that it's different. What's worked for us is keeping things as simple as we can. And I think nothing changes for us today as well. Everyone had that calm energy today. But of course, the excitement level is high. And for sure, I mean, we know that we have to turn up and play our best cricket.

The players walk out to the middle as the Indian national anthem plays, the crowd singing along at full volume. The rituals are done, the flags are lowered, and the roar just keeps getting louder. Everyone’s on their feet. This is about to get going.

Here we go. Lizelle Lee and Shafali Verma walk out to open, a right-left buzz already in the air. Lee takes strike, taps the pitch once, eyes up. Lauren Bell has the new ball in hand and begins the run-up. First over, first delivery, we’re underway.

Oh dear, nerves straight away. Sayali Satghare tries to start things off but it all goes wrong, a fullish delivery sliding down the leg side, and Lizelle Lee swings for the sweep but can’t make contact. No chance for the keeper standing up, no help from short fine either, and the ball races away. Five wides gifted early, pressure showing already.

And that’s punished. Shreyanka Patil floats it up, a little too full and right in the slot, and Lizelle Lee drops to one knee and sweeps it clean over midwicket. That races away to the fence, four more, back-to-back boundaries, and Lee is off to a flying start.

That’s a huge wicket. Nadine de Klerk drags the length fuller and wide of off, and Lizelle Lee goes hunting, crouching low to slog it across the line. The bat twists on impact, the timing deserts her, and the ball balloons high into the night sky. Grace Harris tracks it calmly from long-on and settles under it, safe hands, no drama.

The dangerous Lee is gone for 37 off 30, and the RCB players are absolutely cock-a-hoop. Momentum has swung, and suddenly the fielding side is buzzing.

Jemimah gets going straight away. Shreyanka Patil goes fuller and pays the price as Jemimah drops to one knee and sweeps hard through the gap between long-on and deep midwicket. Sweetly timed, no chase needed, four runs and a confident start.

That’s pure class. Radha Yadav drops it a fraction short and Jemimah Rodrigues is all over it, rocking back, making room, and carving it fiercely through point. The ball screams away to the fence, no one even bothers to chase, four more, and up goes the fifty partnership. Momentum firmly back with the batters.

Nadine de Klerk back into the attack. First up, Jemimah Rodrigues shuffles across, meets the length nicely, and tucks it into midwicket for a comfortable single.

Next ball, Wolvaardt tries to back away but de Klerk smartly follows her. It’s only bunted down to long-on, and they’ll settle for one more. Sensible batting, keeping the scoreboard ticking at the back end of the over.

There it is, fifty in the final for Jemimah Rodrigues. Nadine de Klerk rolls her fingers over a slower ball, Jemimah waits, stays calm, and knocks it down to long-on for a single. She raises the bat, a quiet smile, soaking it in. And you can feel it, whenever Jemimah bats like this, DC usually end up in a good place. The anchor has stood up when it mattered most.

Chinelle Henry doesn’t wait, Satghare drifts down the wide line, and Henry shuffles across early, timing it sweetly over the ropes. That’s six gone in a flash, pure power.

Next ball, Wolvaardt takes a more measured approach. Low full toss well outside off, she stretches and gently nudges it to deep extra cover for a single. Smart batting, keeping the scoreboard ticking.

Delhi Capitals fired on all cylinders to post 203, the highest WPL total at Vadodara. After a cautious start of 9 runs off 3 overs, Lizelle Lee and Shafali Verma powered the team through the Powerplay, with Lee punishing Shreyanka Patil before Nadine de Klerk finally broke through.

Jemimah Rodrigues and Wolvaardt added a brisk 76-run partnership, and Chinelle Henry smashed 35 off 15 balls late to push DC past 200. Except for Lauren Bell, RCB’s bowlers were hit around, leaving DC in the driver’s seat as the run-chase looms.

Here we go, Grace Harris and Smriti walk out to the middle, Harris taking strike as Marizanne Kapp gets ready with the new ball. First delivery, full outside off, Harris gets forward but can’t quite time it and it dribbles to mid-on, no run.

And that’s a big one! Grace Harris is bowled middle stump uprooted, and RCB head coach Malolan Rangarajan looks like he just saw it coming. Jemimah Rodrigues sprints over to Henry, pointing in celebration, while Harris trudges back, disappointed.

A good length delivery, just a shade low, and Harris tries to cut it too square, misses completely. Nothing flashy, just brilliant execution from Chinelle Henry. DC-W are absolutely buzzing. Harris departs for 9 off 7, with two crisp fours.

Close call! Marizanne Kapp sends one full outside off, and Georgia Voll steps forward to drive it past cover-point. Shree Charani dives full stretch, stopping it and flicking to backward point, Voll is almost halfway down the pitch when they call her back. Nearly a run-out, but she makes it just in time. Brilliant fielding, but Voll survives to keep the chase alive.

That’s smart batting from Smriti Mandhana! Shree Charani drops one on a good length outside off, and Smriti steps back, gets full use of the crease, and punches it beautifully between cover-point and extra-cover. No sweeper on the off-side, and the ball races away for four, classy shot, all timing and placement.

Georgia Voll takes the attack to the bowler! Minnu Mani floats one full outside off, and Voll charges down the track, trying to loft it over long-off. But Chinelle Henry hustles across and stops it just in time, only a single comes from it. Smart fielding keeps the pressure on.

Georgia Voll keeps the scoreboard ticking! Shree Charani tosses one up, and Voll steps down the track, nudging it gently to long-on for a single. That takes her to fifty, and the pair now share a 100-run partnership, DC are cruising, and the chase is looking solid.

And there it is, fifty for Smriti Mandhana! Sneh Rana floats one up, and Smriti comes down the track, creates just enough room, and lofts it elegantly over extra-cover. That’s one of her trademark shots, timed to perfection, and the ball races away for four. DC are getting the momentum rolling.

Georgia Voll keeps the singles flowing. Shree Charani sends one over, and Voll nudges it gently to long-on for one run. Smart batting, keeping the scoreboard ticking and the partnership steady.

That’s punished! Nandni Sharma drops one full on middle, and Georgia Voll steps forward to hoick it. It’s in the air, but right in the perfect gap between deep mid-wicket and long-on, no chance for the fielders. Four runs, and Sharma’s “sorry” face says it all. Voll is absolutely timing it now.

And that’s a breakthrough! Richa Ghosh edges one straight to Minnu Mani, who takes it cleanly, tiny hope flickers for Delhi Capitals. Ghosh departs for 6 off 6, including a crisp four, and Nandni Sharma gets the reward for a tidy delivery. The chase loses a bit of momentum, but the big partners are still at the crease.

And that’s it, chaos and celebration all at once! Shree Charani bowls a flat length delivery outside off, and Radha Yadav steps back to cut it over extra-cover for four. Amid the shot, Lizelle Lee accidentally flicks a bail, causing a brief moment of confusion.

RCB-W are the champions of the WPL for the second time! The team rushes onto the field, arms in the air, elation everywhere, while the umpires sort out the little mishap with Lee. History made again.

Live visuals show a touching moment as Smriti Mandhana consoles Jemimah Rodrigues, her close friend and the Delhi Capitals skipper, who looks visibly emotional after the defeat. Smriti puts an arm around Jemimah, chats with her, and manages to coax a small smile.

RCB captain Smriti Mandhana was unstoppable, smashing 87 off 41 balls at a strike rate of 212.20, including 12 fours and 3 sixes. Her masterclass under pressure guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their second WPL title, earning her the Player of the Match award.

• Emerging Player of the Season: Nandni Sharma

• Orange Cap (Most Runs): Smriti Mandhana

• Purple Cap (Most Wickets): Sophie Devine

 I couldn't be more proud. All our DC fans, all over the world, thank you so much. 204 in a final is always a great score. We have been great, if ever you wanted our team to fire, it was today. Everyone fought hard and everyone gave it their all and that's sometimes all you want. The assessment has been great. To pick yourselves up even for a senior player is great. Nandni has been great. She has done more than what we asked her to do. Even Minnu. It has been great.

 I feel RCB fans are the best fans in the world. To win two titles in four years is amazing. We did think that it's a big surface and 204 is a good score. The last 4 overs we bowled well and pulled it back. Credit to Lauren Bell, 400 in the match and she goes for just 20. To me that's a match-winning spell. Of course Volly led the way, she had the strike almost in the powerplay. I remember telling the girls that Volly will get a match-winning knock in the final. The support staff has been great. Phone calls came and they said this is what we are looking for. Anya, Malo and RX sir.

We believed in them. The girls are working extremely hard and that shoots up your belief. They are working hard in the gym and that gives confidence to chase down any score. But what Volly did was special. Everyone going back to their home will say this is what we have contributed.

That’s a wrap from us! RCB celebrate a double delight, their 2026 WPL trophy added to last year’s 2025 IPL crown, while Delhi Capitals are left to nurse another heartbreak.

For an in-depth take on everything women’s cricket, check out Outlook Magazine’s “No More a Gentleman’s Game,” 11 February 2026 issue, hitting stands soon.

We’ll be back with more live blogs and updates, until then, goodbye!