WPL 2026: RCB script historic chase to clinch 2nd title as Delhi stumble again in final

The long-awaited happy ending for Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) will have to wait yet another season, as heartbreak struck once more for the Jemimah Rodrigues-led side, who slumped to their fourth successive defeat in a WPL final. Despite producing a herculean batting effort in the first innings and posting the highest total ever recorded in a WPL final—203/4—Delhi were left crestfallen as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) scripted history to clinch their second title.

It was a breathtaking run chase for RCB, led by captain Smriti Mandhana (87 off 41) and Georgia Voll (79 off 54), who tore into the Delhi bowling attack and shattered record books on the biggest stage. The pair launched a relentless assault, registering the highest successful run chase in WPL history.

Their monumental 165-run partnership for the second wicket off just 92 balls became the highest partnership in the tournament’s history and proved decisive in the final. With their win, RCB also achieved the unique distinction of becoming the first team to hold the IPL and WPL trophies at the same time.

RCB’s chase did not begin without drama. Chinelle Henry, riding high on confidence after her exploits with the bat, continued her golden touch with the ball by striking early. In her very first over, she removed Grace Harris for 9 off 7 balls, momentarily swinging momentum Delhi’s way. However, that early breakthrough did no damage to RCB’s strong resolve as Voll joined Mandhana in the middle to inflict misery on Delhi.

WPL 2026 Final: DC vs RCB Updates

After the early wicket, it was largely one-way traffic for RCB as Mandhana and Voll showed no signs of nerves or hesitation, calmly dismantling the fielding setups and bowling plans with remarkable composure. Mandhana was elegance personified, finding gaps at will with her vast array of strokes, while Voll complemented her perfectly, bludgeoning the ball with raw power and fearless intent as her bat seemed to breathe fire.

Mandhana leads from front

Mandhana brought up her fastest WPL half-century off just 23 balls, while Voll took 37 deliveries to reach her milestone, as the duo raced to a century stand in only 58 balls. During the course of her sparkling innings, Mandhana also became the fifth player to complete 1,000 runs in WPL history and finished as the leading run-scorer of the season with 377 runs, overtaking her India captain, Harmanpreet Kaur.

However, just when it appeared that RCB would cruise to victory without breaking a sweat, Delhi Capitals clawed their way back into the contest. In a dramatic twist, DC struck three times in as many overs, removing Voll, Richa Ghosh and Mandhana to suddenly breathe life into the final. With Mandhana walking back to the pavilion, RCB were left needing 13 runs from the final eight balls, and the tension inside the stadium was palpable.

Chinelle Henry (2/34) continued her impact with the ball, getting the most important wicket of the night as she dismantled Mandhana's stumps in the penultimate over. Delhi were handed another fleeting glimmer of hope when Radha Yadav skied Chinelle Henry on the very next delivery high into the night sky. But in a moment that would haunt DC, Minnu Mani failed to hold her nerve and spilled the catch at a crucial juncture, granting Radha a costly reprieve.

Radha made Delhi pay dearly. Keeping her composure amid the chaos, she struck consecutive boundaries off Shree Charani in the last over to carry RCB over the line with two balls to spare, sealing a famous victory and rubbing salt into DC’s already deep wounds as heartbreak struck once again in a WPL final.

Earlier, after being put in to bat first, Delhi got off to a good start as Lizelle Lee (37 off 30) and Shafali Verma (20 off 13) added 49 runs for the first wicket off 35 balls. Aiming to build on a good beginning, Delhi captain Jemimah Rodrigues looked determined to finally add the coveted WPL title to her name. Walking out to bat with DC at 72/2 in 7.3 overs, she announced her intent immediately, caressing her first boundary through the covers off Radha Yadav. What followed was a captain’s knock full of purpose, urgency and emotion.

Chinelle Henry's fireworks powers DC to 203

Rodrigues soon pressed the accelerator, peppering the boundary with remarkable ease and putting bowlers Nadine de Klerk and Shreyanka Patil under severe pressure. She forged a vital 76-run partnership for the third wicket with Laura Wolvaardt, who played the supporting role as the Delhi skipper took charge. Rodrigues brought up her second half-century of the season off just 32 balls, but her dismissal for 57 off 37 balls—caught at deep square leg—proved to be a turning point.

RCB breathed a brief sigh of relief after seeing the back of the DC captain, but the respite was short-lived as Chinelle Henry strode out with menace written all over her, with four overs still remaining. Henry started cautiously, managing just 4 runs off her first 6 balls, but what followed was nothing short of explosive.

In the penultimate over, Henry unleashed absolute carnage on Nadine de Klerk, smashing five consecutive boundaries to plunder 24 runs and ensure the seamer did not walk away with respectable figures. Her blistering unbeaten 35 off just 15 deliveries, combined with Wolvaardt’s composed 44 off 25 balls, powered Delhi to an imposing 203/4—the highest total ever posted in a WPL final. The pair added a rapid 54 runs for the fourth wicket off just 24 balls, giving Delhi belief and hope.

Yet, on a night destined for history, it was RCB who held their nerve, turning setback into triumph, while Delhi were left to once again reflect on how close—and yet how far—they remain from lifting the elusive WPL trophy for a fourth successive season.

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