Royal Challengers Bengaluru Wsomen clinched their second WPL title in dramatic fashion, successfully chasing down Delhi Capitals Women’s imposing total of 204 at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara.
This victory was particularly significant as RCB became the first team to chase down a 200-plus target in a WPL final, breaking Delhi’s hearts for the fourth consecutive year as the Capitals suffered their fourth straight final defeat.
The match went down to the wire in a nerve-wracking finish. Despite a magnificent 165-run partnership between Smriti Mandhana (87 off 41) and Georgia Voll (79 off 54), RCB lost three quick wickets in the final overs, making the chase tense.
When Mandhana fell with 13 runs needed off 9 balls, Delhi sensed an opportunity. However, Nadine de Klerk and Radha Yadav held their nerve, with Yadav hitting two boundaries in the final over to seal a memorable victory with 2 balls to spare.
Delhi Capitals Women: 203/4 (20 overs)
| Player | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Jemimah Rodrigues (c) | Batter | 57 (37) – 8 fours, SR: 154.05 |
| Laura Wolvaardt | Batter | 44 (25) – 3 fours, 2 sixes, SR: 176.00 |
| Chinelle Henry | Finisher | 35* (15) – 5 fours, 3 sixes, SR: 233.33 |
| Lizelle Lee | Opener | 37 (30) – 3 fours, 3 sixes |
Best Bowler: Lauren Bell – 4-0-19-0 (Economy: 4.75)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women: 204/4 (19.4 overs)
| Player | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Smriti Mandhana (c) | Opener | 87 (41) – 12 fours, 3 sixes, SR: 212.20 |
| Georgia Voll | Opener | 79 (54) – 14 fours, SR: 146.30 |
| Radha Yadav | Finisher | 9* (7) – 2 fours – Match-winning cameo |
| Nadine de Klerk | All-rounder | 6* (4) |
Best Bowler: Chinelle Henry – 4-0-34-2
Historic Partnership
- Smriti Mandhana & Georgia Voll: 165-run stand for the 2nd wicket
- Highest partnership for any wicket in WPL history
- First 100-plus partnership in WPL finals
Individual Milestones
- Smriti Mandhana: Highest individual score in WPL final history (87), fastest fifty in a WPL final (23 balls)
- Georgia Voll: Second-highest score in WPL final history (79)
- Jemimah Rodrigues: Second-fastest fifty in WPL playoffs (32 balls)
- Smriti Mandhana became the 5th player with 1000+ runs in WPL
Tournament Records
- Highest successful run-chase in WPL final history (204)
- RCB’s second WPL title; DC’s fourth consecutive final defeat
Delhi Capitals Post Imposing 203/4
Delhi Capitals recovered from a cautious start of just 9 runs in three overs to post a formidable 203/4. Captain Jemimah Rodrigues led from the front with a brilliant 57 off 37 balls, featuring eight boundaries. Laura Wolvaardt provided excellent support with a quickfire 44 off 25 deliveries.
Chinelle Henry’s explosive cameo of 35 off just 15 balls, including five fours and three sixes, propelled DC past 200 in the final overs. Lizelle Lee’s 37 off 30 balls set the platform early. Lauren Bell was RCB’s most economical bowler with figures of 4-0-19-0.
Mandhana-Voll Masterclass Seals Historic Chase
Smriti Mandhana played a captain’s knock for the ages, smashing 87 off 41 balls with 12 fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 212.20 – the highest individual score in WPL final history. She combined with Georgia Voll (79 off 54) to forge a record 165-run partnership, the highest for any wicket in WPL history.
Despite losing three quick wickets towards the end, including Mandhana with 13 needed off nine balls, Radha Yadav held her nerve with a match-winning cameo, hitting two crucial boundaries in the final over to secure victory with two balls remaining.
Result
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women won by 6 wickets with 2 balls remaining, claiming their second WPL title and condemning Delhi Capitals Women to their fourth consecutive final heartbreak.
