RCB Script History with Record Chase to Clinch Second WPL Title
VADODARA – In a night that will be etched in the history of women’s cricket, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pulled off a breathtaking batting performance to defeat Delhi Capitals (DC) by six wickets, securing their second Women’s Premier League (WPL) title. In front of a packed crowd at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, RCB chased down a monumental target of 204—the highest successful run chase in WPL history.
Delhi Capitals Set a Towering Total
Opting to bat first, Delhi Capitals appeared to have one hand on the trophy after posting 203/4, the highest first-innings total ever recorded in a WPL final. Captain Jemimah Rodrigues led from the front with a classy 57 off 37 balls, supported by a rapid 44 from Laura Wolvaardt. However, it was Chinelle Henry’s explosive cameo of 35 off just 15 balls* that propelled Delhi past the 200-mark, leaving RCB with a herculean task.
The Mandhana-Voll Show
The chase began with early drama as Grace Harris fell for just 9 runs. However, captain Smriti Mandhana and young sensation Georgia Voll turned the game into a one-sided affair with a record-breaking 165-run partnership.
Mandhana, playing a true captain’s knock, smashed 87 off 41 deliveries, including 12 fours and 3 sixes, to claim the Orange Cap as the season’s leading run-scorer. Voll was equally devastating, bludgeoning 79 off 54 balls. Their relentless assault kept the required run rate under control, effectively silencing the Delhi attack.
Radha Yadav Seals the Historic Win
A late flurry of wickets briefly brought Delhi back into the contest, leaving RCB needing 10 runs off the final over. Radha Yadav showed nerves of steel, striking back-to-back boundaries to seal the victory with two balls to spare.
A Season of Records
The victory marks a “Double Crown” for the Bengaluru franchise, as they become the first to hold both the IPL and WPL titles simultaneously. While RCB celebrated their second star, it was a familiar heartbreak for Delhi Capitals, who finished as runners-up for the fourth consecutive season.