The final at Vadodara was more than just a title match for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, it was a statement of belief and resilience. On a night packed with pressure, RCB defeated Delhi Capitals by six wickets to lift their second Women’s Premier League trophy, becoming only the second franchise after Mumbai Indians to achieve that milestone. What made the win stand out even more was the fact that RCB managed it despite missing key players such as Ellyse Perry and having to adapt constantly through the season.
The scale of the challenge in the final was enormous. Chasing 204 runs at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi was uncharted territory in the WPL. No team had ever successfully chased such a total in the league’s history, let alone in a knockout match or a final. Delhi Capitals had ensured that the pressure stayed firmly on RCB from the start.
Asked to bat first, Delhi recovered well after a cautious opening. Captain Jemimah Rodrigues led from the front, playing a fluent knock of 57 off 37 balls that held the innings together. Chinelle Henry then added crucial momentum at the death, smashing 35 off just 15 deliveries to push Delhi to a formidable 203 for four, a total that looked more than enough in a championship match.
RCB’s response began with an early setback as Grace Harris departed quickly, but captain Smriti Mandhana never allowed panic to creep in. Partnering Georgia Voll, she took control of the chase with calm authority. The duo built a match-defining 165-run partnership, pacing the innings perfectly. Smriti Mandhana was outstanding, scoring 87 off 41 balls, while Georgia Voll matched her intent with a powerful 79 from 54 deliveries.
RCB stayed on course throughout the chase and crossed the line with two balls remaining, sealing a record-breaking win and a historic title. After the match, Smriti Mandhana reflected on how the pitch suited batting but acknowledged that Delhi’s total was still a strong one in a final.
She highlighted the impact of Lauren Bell’s exceptional bowling spell, praised the clarity and support provided by the coaching staff and spoke about how clearly defined roles and hard work off the field boosted the team’s confidence. Smriti Mandhana also made special mention of Georgia Voll’s contribution, stressing that every player could head home proud of their role in a remarkable triumph.
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