Royal Challengers Bengaluru Crowned WPL Champions After Historic Final Chase
Royal Challengers Bengaluru produced one of the greatest performances in Women’s Premier League history as they chased down a daunting target to defeat Delhi Capitals by six wickets in the final at Vadodara, lifting their second WPL title and extending Delhi’s painful record of final defeats.
In a night packed with drama, composure, and fearless stroke play, RCB overhauled 204 runs with two balls to spare, completing the highest successful chase ever seen in a WPL final. Captain Smriti Mandhana led from the front with a breathtaking innings, while Australia’s Georgia Voll played the perfect supporting role in a partnership that will be remembered as one of the tournament’s finest.
For Delhi Capitals, it was heartbreak once again. Despite posting the highest total in any WPL final, they were left empty-handed for the fourth consecutive year, unable to break their unwanted streak on the biggest stage.
Delhi Capitals set a record target
Winning the toss and batting first, Delhi Capitals delivered a performance that suggested this might finally be their year. Their total of 203 for four not only surpassed all previous WPL final scores but also reflected the depth and balance of their batting line-up.
Openers Shafali Verma and Lizelle Lee gave Delhi a solid start, adding 49 runs before Verma departed for a brisk 20. Lee continued to anchor the innings, finding gaps consistently before being dismissed for 37 in the eighth over.
The middle overs belonged to Jemimah Rodrigues and Laura Wolvaardt, who combined fluency with control. Rodrigues top-scored with an elegant 57 off 37 balls, while Wolvaardt contributed a composed 44 from 25 deliveries. Their partnership of 76 in just 51 balls kept Delhi firmly on track for a massive total.
The finishing touches were provided by Chinelle Henry, whose explosive unbeaten 35 off 15 balls swung momentum further in Delhi’s favour. Her late assault included two sixes and four boundaries, pushing the Capitals beyond the 200-run mark — a score that looked formidable in a final.
At the halfway stage, Delhi could reasonably feel confident that they had done more than enough.
Early setback, then total dominance
RCB’s chase did not begin smoothly. Grace Harris fell early, dismissed for nine in just the second over, momentarily giving Delhi hope. However, what followed was a masterclass in high-pressure batting.
Mandhana and Voll came together with calm intent and immediately began dismantling the Capitals’ bowling attack. Their understanding of match-ups, combined with fearless execution, turned the contest on its head.
RCB raced to 59 for one at the end of the powerplay, collecting 16 runs from the sixth over alone. From that point on, the momentum never truly shifted back.
Between the seventh and fifteenth overs, RCB maintained relentless scoring. Every over went for at least nine runs, with six overs conceding double figures. Delhi struggled to contain Mandhana’s placement and Voll’s raw power, as boundaries flowed to all parts of the ground.
Record-breaking partnership lights up the final
Mandhana and Voll stitched together a 165-run partnership off just 92 balls, the highest stand in a WPL final. It was a blend of elegance and aggression — Mandhana piercing the field with precision, Voll clearing the ropes with authority.
Mandhana’s innings of 87 from 41 balls was the centrepiece. Her shot selection was immaculate, her timing flawless, and her leadership evident in the way she controlled the chase. The knock also ensured she finished the season as the leading run-scorer with 377 runs, underlining her dominance throughout the tournament.
Voll matched her captain with a superb 79 off 54 balls, showcasing maturity well beyond her years. Together, they reduced a daunting target to a manageable equation.
Nervy finish tests RCB’s depth
The tension returned briefly when Voll was dismissed with 30 runs still required. Seven balls later, Richa Ghosh also departed, raising the possibility of a dramatic twist.
Mandhana fell in the penultimate over, bowled by Henry, leaving RCB with work still to do. Delhi sensed an opening, but RCB’s composure held firm.
With 10 runs needed from the final over, Radha Yadav stepped up. After being dropped off her very first delivery, she capitalised fully, striking the third and fourth balls over the covers for boundaries to seal a historic victory.
Praise, pride, and painful history
Mandhana was understandably delighted after the win, highlighting the broader success of the franchise.
“I’m extremely pleased,” she said. “Three titles as a franchise in the last three years is incredible. We knew 200-plus was a strong score, but we pulled it back brilliantly at the end.”
She also singled out Lauren Bell, whose spell of four overs for just 19 runs earlier in the match proved crucial.
Despite the loss, Delhi captain Jemimah Rodrigues spoke with pride about her side’s resilience.
“This season hasn’t been easy for us, but the character we showed to reach another final means everything,” she said.
RCB join the elite
RCB’s triumph means they now sit alongside Mumbai Indians as the most successful teams in Women’s Premier League history. It also reaffirmed their reputation as one of the strongest chasing sides in the competition, having previously chased down 202 against Gujarat Giants last season.
England’s Lauren Bell, who finished the tournament with 12 wickets and the best economy rate of 5.53, summed up the emotions perfectly.
“It was tense, it went up and down, but we got over the line. I’ve absolutely loved this experience.”
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