Smriti Mandhana has gone through a lot, this win is for her: Shreyanka Patil
WPL 2026 final: Shreyanka Patil dedicated RCB's historic second WPL title victory to Smriti Mandhana for leading the side once again after the personal setbacks she faced before the tournament.
Following Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women’s historic second Women’s Premier League title win, all-rounder Shreyanka Patil paid a heartfelt tribute to captain Smriti Mandhana, dedicating the victory to her resilience after a difficult personal phase leading into the tournament.
WPL 2026 Final, RCB vs DC: Highlights | Scorecard
Speaking during the post-match interviews, Shreyanka highlighted the emotional significance of the win for Mandhana, who led the side through the campaign amid intense off-field scrutiny.
“I would say Smriti, because she’s gone through a lot in the last one-and-a-half months, so this win is very special,” Shreyanka said. “I would love to dedicate this win to her.”
She also acknowledged the contribution of head coach Malolan Rangarajan, who guided the team to the title in his first season in charge. “It’s the first time he’s head coach of the team, and I think it’s a special win for all of us,” she added.
Clinical chase seals historic title
RCB Women produced a dominant batting display in the final, chasing down a stiff target with authority. Mandhana led from the front with a fluent 87, while Georgia Voll provided blistering support with a rapid 79 as the pair stitched together a match-defining partnership.
Their aggressive approach ensured RCB completed a record run chase, underlining the team’s transformation into one of the most consistent units in the WPL. The victory marked RCB’s second WPL crown, further cementing Mandhana’s legacy as one of the league’s most influential leaders.
Mandhana marriage gets called off
Away from the field, Mandhana has endured a challenging period after her wedding to music composer Palash Muchhal was officially called off. The left-handed batter addressed the situation publicly on December 7, confirming via Instagram that both families had decided to cancel the wedding after weeks of speculation.
In her statement, Mandhana requested privacy and said she wished to close the matter with her post. The wedding had been expected to be a high-profile event, especially following India’s Women’s World Cup success, and had drawn significant public attention after Mandhana and Muchhal exchanged rings at the DY Patil Stadium.
Originally scheduled for November 23, 2025, in Sangli, the ceremony was postponed after Mandhana’s father suffered a sudden medical emergency on the morning of the wedding. Soon after, Muchhal also required hospital care, reportedly due to severe stress. Faced with a double crisis, both families decided to call off the ceremony.
Speculation and rumours followed, including allegations against Muchhal that were firmly denied by his family. Several India players removed wedding-related photos from social media, while Mandhana remained silent during the period. Teammate Jemimah Rodrigues even withdrew from the Women’s Big Bash League to stay back in India and support Mandhana.
Muchhal later released his own statement, saying he was moving on from the relationship and warning of legal action against anyone spreading false or defamatory content.
Against that backdrop, Mandhana’s on-field performances and calm leadership stood out. As RCB celebrated another WPL title, Shreyanka’s dedication captured the mood of the dressing room — a triumph shaped not just by runs and results, but by resilience in the face of adversity.
WPL 2026 | WPL Points Table | WPL 2026 Schedule | Live Score
Following Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women’s historic second Women’s Premier League title win, all-rounder Shreyanka Patil paid a heartfelt tribute to captain Smriti Mandhana, dedicating the victory to her resilience after a difficult personal phase leading into the tournament.
WPL 2026 Final, RCB vs DC: Highlights | Scorecard
Speaking during the post-match interviews, Shreyanka highlighted the emotional significance of the win for Mandhana, who led the side through the campaign amid intense off-field scrutiny.
“I would say Smriti, because she’s gone through a lot in the last one-and-a-half months, so this win is very special,” Shreyanka said. “I would love to dedicate this win to her.”
She also acknowledged the contribution of head coach Malolan Rangarajan, who guided the team to the title in his first season in charge. “It’s the first time he’s head coach of the team, and I think it’s a special win for all of us,” she added.
Clinical chase seals historic title
RCB Women produced a dominant batting display in the final, chasing down a stiff target with authority. Mandhana led from the front with a fluent 87, while Georgia Voll provided blistering support with a rapid 79 as the pair stitched together a match-defining partnership.
Their aggressive approach ensured RCB completed a record run chase, underlining the team’s transformation into one of the most consistent units in the WPL. The victory marked RCB’s second WPL crown, further cementing Mandhana’s legacy as one of the league’s most influential leaders.
Mandhana marriage gets called off
Away from the field, Mandhana has endured a challenging period after her wedding to music composer Palash Muchhal was officially called off. The left-handed batter addressed the situation publicly on December 7, confirming via Instagram that both families had decided to cancel the wedding after weeks of speculation.
In her statement, Mandhana requested privacy and said she wished to close the matter with her post. The wedding had been expected to be a high-profile event, especially following India’s Women’s World Cup success, and had drawn significant public attention after Mandhana and Muchhal exchanged rings at the DY Patil Stadium.
Originally scheduled for November 23, 2025, in Sangli, the ceremony was postponed after Mandhana’s father suffered a sudden medical emergency on the morning of the wedding. Soon after, Muchhal also required hospital care, reportedly due to severe stress. Faced with a double crisis, both families decided to call off the ceremony.
Speculation and rumours followed, including allegations against Muchhal that were firmly denied by his family. Several India players removed wedding-related photos from social media, while Mandhana remained silent during the period. Teammate Jemimah Rodrigues even withdrew from the Women’s Big Bash League to stay back in India and support Mandhana.
Muchhal later released his own statement, saying he was moving on from the relationship and warning of legal action against anyone spreading false or defamatory content.
Against that backdrop, Mandhana’s on-field performances and calm leadership stood out. As RCB celebrated another WPL title, Shreyanka’s dedication captured the mood of the dressing room — a triumph shaped not just by runs and results, but by resilience in the face of adversity.
WPL 2026 | WPL Points Table | WPL 2026 Schedule | Live Score