Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Women head coach Malolan Rangarajan praised captain Smriti Mandhana after their WPL 2026 final win over Delhi Capitals. The head coach revealed that Smriti played the match battling “massive flu” and delivered a match-winning performance.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Delhi Capitals by six wickets in the final of the WPL 2026 at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on Thursday, February 5. Smriti scored 87 runs in 41 balls as RCB chased down the target of 204 runs in 19.4 overs, completing the most successful run chase in WPL history and winning their second title.
Smriti Mandhana leads RCB to second WPL title
RCB won the toss and chose to bowl first and gave 203 runs in 20 overs. Delhi Capitals captain Jemimah Rodrigues scored 57 runs in 37 balls, while Laura Wolvaardt added 44 runs in 25 balls and Chinelle Henry added 35 not out in 15 balls.
While chasing the target, RCB lost Grace Harris early on with the score of nine runs. After this, Smriti Mandhana and Georgia Woll took the innings forward and took control of the match. Woll scored 79 off 54 balls as RCB held their composure despite late hurdles to reach the target.
Mandhana became the first captain in WPL history to win both the Orange Cap and the title. He finished the season with 377 runs in nine innings at an average of 53.85 and a strike rate of 153.25, which included three half-centuries.
Mandhana also became the first RCB batsman to cross the 1,000-run mark in the WPL. He has scored 1,023 runs in 35 matches at an average of 31 and a strike rate of 136.76 with seven half-centuries.
Smriti Mandhana was at 103 yesterday evening – Mailolan Rangarajan
In a video shared by RCB on X, Mallolan Rangarajan revealed that Smriti Mandhana was unwell the night before the match, but still made every effort to recover on time. He said that Mandhana insisted on keeping herself fit and available for the team without complaining.
“Smriti, thank you so much for being such a brilliant captain and coming into this game without any complaints. I know how sick you were last night and how much effort you put in. For those who didn’t know, she was 103 last evening, and did everything she could behind the scenes to be fully fit and available for us. So thank you, Smriti.”
Captain Smriti battled fever throughout the night to lead from the front and play a match-winning innings…
Head Coach Malo’s words for 3 special players – Shreyanka, Pooja and Sayali, brought a smile on everyone’s faces…
A message for next season and more from the dressing room.… pic.twitter.com/W6ToniL5II
– Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) 6 February 2026
RCB fans are the best in the world – Smriti Mandhana
In the post-game presentation, Smriti Mandhana thanked the fans of Royal Challengers Bangalore, calling them the best in the world and crediting them for supporting the team everywhere. Mandhana said winning three titles, including the men’s title, in three years was a special achievement.
“Very happy. I think RCB fans are the best in the world. Wherever we play, we get support. Everything we do is for them. Three titles in three years for the franchise, it’s amazing.”The left-handed batsman was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo..
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