The WPL 2026 final delivered a memorable batting performance as Royal Challengers Bengaluru successfully chased a challenging target of 204 runs against Delhi Capitals. RCB reached 204/4 in 19.4 overs, winning the contest by six wickets and securing their second Women’s Premier League championship.
The chase was built around a remarkable partnership between Smriti Mandhana and Georgia Voll, who combined for 165 runs and transformed a difficult pursuit into a controlled run chase.
RCB’s Historic Run Chase in the WPL 2026 Final
The Women’s Premier League 2026 final produced one of the most memorable run chases in the tournament’s history. Royal Challengers Bengaluru faced Delhi Capitals in the title decider at the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium in Vadodara on 5 February 2026. Delhi Capitals posted an imposing 203/4 in 20 overs, leaving RCB with the difficult task of scoring 204 runs to lift the trophy.
RCB responded with confidence and composure. The team reached 204/4 in 19.4 overs, winning by six wickets and securing its second WPL championship. The successful chase was not simply a display of aggressive batting. It was a carefully constructed innings that combined power, patience, smart strike rotation, and excellent game awareness.
Delhi Capitals Set a Challenging Target
Delhi Capitals entered the final with a strong batting lineup and made full use of the opportunity to bat first. Their total of 203/4 gave them a solid platform and placed considerable pressure on RCB’s batters.
Several Delhi players contributed important runs. Jemimah Rodrigues scored a valuable 57, while Laura Wolvaardt added 44. Lizelle Lee also played a useful innings, and Chinelle Henry provided late acceleration with an unbeaten 35 from just 15 deliveries.
Delhi’s total was built around a strong finish. The team maintained a high scoring rate throughout the innings and gave its bowlers a target that demanded disciplined batting from the opposition. A total above 200 in a final can create enormous pressure, particularly when early wickets fall during the chase.
For RCB, the key challenge was to avoid panic. The batting unit needed to maintain the required run rate without losing too many wickets. The team’s response showed why successful T20 chases depend as much on decision-making as they do on boundary hitting.
An Early Setback for RCB
RCB’s chase did not begin perfectly. Grace Harris was dismissed early, leaving the team at 9/1 and giving Delhi Capitals an early advantage.
An early wicket in a high-pressure final can change the mood of an entire innings. The required run rate was already demanding, and another quick dismissal could have placed RCB in a difficult position. Instead of allowing the pressure to increase, Smriti Mandhana and Georgia Voll focused on rebuilding the innings.
Their approach was measured. They did not attempt to force every delivery toward the boundary. Instead, they looked for scoring opportunities, rotated the strike, and waited for loose deliveries. This allowed RCB to remain connected to the required rate while preserving wickets.
The partnership that followed became the central feature of the final.
Mandhana and Voll Produce a Record Partnership
Smriti Mandhana and Georgia Voll joined forces when RCB were under immediate pressure. Together, they produced a remarkable 165-run partnership, which became the highest partnership in WPL history at that time.
The stand came from only 92 deliveries, combining controlled aggression with excellent running between the wickets. Their partnership changed the direction of the match and placed RCB in a commanding position.
Mandhana played the role of an experienced leader. She used her timing and range of strokes to find boundaries while also ensuring that the scoreboard continued to move between deliveries. Her ability to score through the off side and work the ball into gaps made it difficult for Delhi’s bowlers to maintain pressure.
Voll, meanwhile, provided stability at the other end. She showed patience during the early stages of her innings and gradually increased her attacking intent. Rather than attempting to match every shot played by Mandhana, she built her own rhythm and supported the partnership with intelligent shot selection.
Their contrasting but complementary styles made the stand especially effective. Mandhana brought experience and fluent stroke play, while Voll offered determination, balance, and a strong understanding of the match situation.
Smriti Mandhana’s Commanding Knock
Mandhana scored 87 runs from 41 deliveries, producing one of the most influential innings of the final. Her performance combined clean hitting with exceptional control.
She attacked the loose deliveries but did not take unnecessary risks against quality bowling. Her footwork allowed her to reach the ball early, while her ability to find gaps prevented Delhi from building sustained pressure.
Mandhana’s innings was important for two reasons. First, it kept the required run rate under control. Second, it gave confidence to the batters around her. In a chase of more than 200, a senior batter’s ability to remain calm can influence the entire team.
Her knock eventually earned her the Player of the Match award. However, her contribution was closely connected to Voll’s performance at the other end. The partnership succeeded because both batters understood when to attack and when to take the safer scoring option.
Georgia Voll’s Valuable Contribution
Georgia Voll played a crucial role in the chase by scoring 79 runs from 54 balls. Her innings may not have been as fast as Mandhana’s, but it was extremely important in the context of the match.
Voll’s main responsibility was to ensure that RCB did not lose momentum after the early dismissal. She handled the pressure of the final with composure and gradually turned a difficult chase into a realistic target.
Her innings featured a mixture of well-timed boundaries, quick singles, and confident stroke play. She did not allow the required run rate to become overwhelming, and her partnership with Mandhana provided RCB with the foundation they needed.
Voll’s contribution was particularly significant because the final demanded more than a short burst of attacking cricket. RCB needed someone to remain at the crease for a substantial period, absorb pressure, and continue scoring. Voll fulfilled that role effectively.
Her performance also highlighted the value of adaptability. Having previously represented UP Warriorz in the WPL, Voll had already experienced the demands of the tournament. Her move to RCB gave her a new opportunity, and she responded with an important contribution on the biggest stage.
How RCB Managed the Required Run Rate
Chasing 204 required RCB to maintain a scoring rate of more than ten runs per over. That task demanded a balance between attack and control.
The Mandhana-Voll partnership helped RCB manage the chase in several ways. The pair regularly converted singles into twos, reducing the pressure on their boundary-hitting. They also targeted deliveries that were easier to attack rather than attempting risky shots against every bowler.
Their running between the wickets was equally important. In a high-scoring chase, singles and doubles can create a platform for occasional boundaries. This approach prevents the batting side from becoming overly dependent on sixes and fours.
RCB also benefited from having established batters at the crease deep into the innings. Once the partnership crossed the century mark, the pressure gradually shifted toward Delhi Capitals. The fielding side needed wickets, but the batters had already built enough confidence to continue attacking.
The chase demonstrated that a large target can be achieved through a series of controlled phases rather than one continuous assault.
The Importance of Partnership Building
One of the biggest lessons from RCB’s victory was the importance of partnerships in T20 cricket. While individual performances often attract the most attention, a successful chase usually depends on batters working together.
Mandhana and Voll understood their respective roles. They communicated well, responded to the match situation, and avoided unnecessary risks during the rebuilding phase.
Their 165-run stand also gave RCB’s middle order a much easier task. Instead of needing to score the majority of the runs, the lower-order batters only had to complete the chase after the main platform had been established.
Partnerships are particularly valuable in finals because the pressure is different from that of a league match. Batters must manage the importance of the occasion while remaining focused on the next delivery. RCB’s second-wicket partnership showed excellent control under pressure.
Delhi Capitals Struggle to Break the Stand
Delhi Capitals needed regular wickets to defend their total. However, Mandhana and Voll made it difficult for the bowling attack to create openings.
As the partnership grew, Delhi’s bowlers were forced to change their plans. Defensive fields created opportunities for singles, while attacking fields left gaps that the batters could exploit.
The absence of a breakthrough for a prolonged period allowed RCB to dictate the tempo. Delhi continued to search for an opening, but the partnership had already shifted the balance of the match.
The eventual dismissal of Voll came after she had made a major contribution. By that stage, RCB were firmly positioned to complete the chase. Mandhana also departed later in the innings, but the foundation created by the pair meant that RCB remained in control.
RCB Finish the Chase in Style
After the departures of the two main contributors, RCB still needed to remain composed. The remaining batters ensured that the team did not lose its advantage.
The final moments produced another memorable detail. Radha Yadav struck two boundaries in the final over to complete the chase. RCB reached 204/4 in 19.4 overs, finishing the match with two deliveries remaining.
The victory confirmed RCB’s second WPL championship and added another important chapter to the franchise’s history. It also represented a significant achievement for a team that had shown strong batting depth and consistency throughout the tournament.
The final was not decided by one individual alone. Mandhana’s explosive innings, Voll’s composed contribution, and the finishing efforts of the lower order all played important roles.
What the Record Chase Means for RCB
RCB’s successful pursuit of 204 runs demonstrated the team’s growth in high-pressure matches. The side showed that it could respond effectively even after conceding a large total and losing an early wicket.
The victory also reinforced the importance of a dependable top order. When a team has batters capable of building a long partnership, it becomes easier for the rest of the lineup to handle the closing stages of a chase.
For RCB supporters, the result carried additional significance because it delivered the franchise’s second WPL title. The team’s success was built on teamwork, tactical awareness, and the ability to remain calm during difficult moments.
The record partnership between Mandhana and Voll will remain one of the defining memories of the final. It showed how two batters with different styles can combine to produce a match-winning performance.
RCB’s chase of 204 runs in the WPL 2026 final was a remarkable example of controlled T20 batting. Delhi Capitals had set a demanding target, but RCB responded with confidence and discipline.
Smriti Mandhana’s 87 and Georgia Voll’s 79 formed the foundation of a historic 165-run partnership. Their performance reduced the pressure of the chase and allowed RCB to reach 204/4 in 19.4 overs.
The victory was more than a successful pursuit of a large total. It reflected RCB’s ability to handle pressure, build partnerships, and perform when the stakes were highest. With their second WPL championship secured, the team’s record chase became one of the defining moments of the 2026 season.
