Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women have experienced one of the most notable journeys in the short history of the Women’s Premier League. The franchise entered the competition in 2023 with enormous attention surrounding its name, but the first season did not immediately produce the results many expected. Instead, RCB’s rise developed gradually through squad changes, stronger performances, improved balance and the leadership of Smriti Mandhana.
The journey reached an important milestone in 2024 when RCB won their first WPL championship. Two years later, the franchise added another title by defeating Delhi Capitals in the 2026 final. RCB therefore became the second team after Mumbai Indians to win the WPL twice.
The story of RCB Women is more than a record of two trophies. It is also a story about building a competitive women’s franchise, developing Indian talent, combining domestic players with international stars and turning early setbacks into a stronger team structure.
Read More- RCB Women’s Road to Two WPL Championships
The Beginning of RCB Women in the WPL
Royal Challengers Bengaluru were one of the five original WPL franchises when the competition launched in 2023.
The franchise entered the league with an established sporting identity from its men’s team, but the women’s side had to create its own competitive culture.
One of the most important decisions came at the inaugural player auction, when RCB acquired Smriti Mandhana for ₹3.4 crore. Her signing immediately made her one of the central figures of the new franchise.
Mandhana brought international experience, opening-batting ability and leadership qualities. She was eventually appointed captain, giving RCB a clear leader around whom the squad could develop.
The Challenges of the 2023 Season
RCB’s inaugural WPL campaign was not the start the franchise wanted.
The team struggled for consistency and finished outside the playoff places.
For a new franchise, however, the season provided valuable information.
RCB had the opportunity to understand the tournament’s conditions, evaluate its players and identify areas that required improvement.
The first season also showed how difficult it was to immediately turn a collection of established players into a balanced T20 team.
The experience became important when the franchise began planning for 2024.
Building Around Smriti Mandhana
Smriti Mandhana became the central figure of RCB’s rebuilding process.
As captain and opening batter, she had responsibility at both the individual and leadership levels.
Her role was not simply about scoring runs. She also had to manage a squad containing international stars, young Indian players and experienced domestic cricketers.
The franchise gradually developed a stronger support structure around her.
Instead of relying on one or two major names, RCB began assembling a group capable of contributing in different phases of a match.
The 2024 Squad Takes Shape
The 2024 RCB squad included a combination of Indian players and international experience.
Ellyse Perry became one of the most important international figures in the team, while Sophie Devine offered another experienced all-round option.
Indian players such as Richa Ghosh and Shreyanka Patil also became increasingly important.
The combination gave RCB greater balance than it had possessed during the inaugural season.
That balance would become particularly important during the knockout stages.
RCB’s Turnaround in 2024
RCB finished the 2024 league stage in third position and had to take the longer route to the final.
The team faced Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator.
RCB won that match by five runs, earning a place in the championship match against Delhi Capitals.
The result was significant because RCB had gone from missing the playoffs in the inaugural season to reaching the final one year later.
The team’s improvement demonstrated the value of learning from the first campaign.
The 2024 Final
The 2024 final became the defining moment of RCB Women’s early history.
Delhi Capitals batted first but were restricted to 113 all out.
Sophie Molineux produced a crucial spell of 3/20, while Shreyanka Patil took four wickets for 12 runs. Their bowling performance turned the final in RCB’s favor after Delhi had initially made a strong start.
RCB then chased the target successfully, reaching 115/2 in 19.3 overs.
The eight-wicket victory gave RCB their first WPL title.
It was also the first major trophy won by the RCB franchise across its men’s and women’s teams, according to the club’s account of the achievement.
Smriti Mandhana’s First WPL Trophy as Captain
The 2024 championship was particularly important for Mandhana.
She had been the marquee signing of RCB’s inaugural auction and had carried the responsibility of leading the new franchise.
Winning the championship in the second season gave the team a major breakthrough.
Mandhana did not need to dominate every match individually. Her leadership involved managing resources, trusting her bowlers and keeping the team composed during high-pressure situations.
The final against Delhi demonstrated that approach.
Shreyanka Patil’s Breakthrough
One of the most important stories of RCB’s 2024 championship was Shreyanka Patil.
The young Indian spinner became a major wicket-taking option during the tournament.
Her four-wicket haul in the final was particularly memorable because it came on the biggest stage of the season.
Patil’s development demonstrated how RCB’s success was not based exclusively on established international stars.
Young Indian players were becoming important parts of the team’s competitive structure.
Ellyse Perry’s Influence
Australian star Ellyse Perry became another central part of RCB’s WPL journey.
Her international experience provided stability in the middle order and gave younger players an opportunity to work alongside one of the most experienced cricketers in women’s cricket.
Perry also played an important role during the 2024 title campaign.
She finished the season as the Orange Cap winner with 347 runs, according to WPL season records.
Her contribution demonstrated the value of experienced international players in a young franchise competition.
Richa Ghosh and the Indian Core
Richa Ghosh has also been an important part of RCB’s development.
As a wicketkeeper-batter, she provides the team with flexibility in both departments.
Her ability to attack during the middle and final overs gives RCB another option when accelerating an innings.
The franchise retained Ghosh ahead of the 2026 season, alongside Mandhana, Perry and Shreyanka Patil.
The retention decision showed that RCB had developed a core it wanted to preserve.
The Importance of Retention
Retention became particularly important as the WPL matured.
The first auction required franchises to build squads almost entirely from scratch.
By 2026, RCB could retain important members of its championship-winning structure.
The official 2026 retention list included Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, Ellyse Perry and Shreyanka Patil. RCB also had one Right to Match option available before the auction.
This allowed the franchise to enter the season with a recognizable core.
The 2025 Season
RCB’s 2025 campaign was more challenging.
The team did not repeat its 2024 championship success, while Mumbai Indians ultimately won the title.
For RCB, the season provided another opportunity to assess the squad.
The experience highlighted the importance of maintaining depth rather than depending too heavily on a handful of established performers.
It also created the foundation for further adjustments before 2026.
Preparing for 2026
RCB entered the 2026 season with a clear core and additional opportunities to strengthen the squad.
The franchise retained Mandhana, Ghosh, Perry and Patil.
That group combined leadership, wicketkeeping, international experience and spin bowling.
The franchise then added players capable of filling specific roles.
The resulting team had greater flexibility across batting and bowling departments.
A Dramatic Start to the 2026 Season
RCB’s 2026 campaign began against defending champions Mumbai Indians.
The match turned into a last-ball thriller.
Mumbai posted 154, and RCB successfully chased the target with three wickets remaining.
Nadine de Klerk became the standout performer on her RCB debut, taking 4/26 before scoring an unbeaten 63 from 44 balls. She was named Player of the Match.
The victory immediately showed that RCB had developed greater depth.
De Klerk was not one of the franchise’s established names, yet she was able to decide the result with contributions in both innings.
RCB’s Dominant League Phase
RCB’s 2026 season developed into one of the strongest league campaigns in WPL history.
The team accumulated six wins and finished at the top of the league table.
Their victory over UP Warriorz in Match 18 secured direct qualification for the final.
RCB won that match by eight wickets while chasing 144, reaching the target with 41 balls remaining.
Grace Harris produced a rapid 75 from 37 balls, while Mandhana contributed a half-century.
The result gave RCB valuable preparation time before the final.
The Role of Grace Harris
Australian all-rounder Grace Harris became another important part of RCB’s 2026 campaign.
Her aggressive batting gave the team an additional attacking option at the top of the order.
Against UP Warriorz, Harris scored 75 from only 37 balls and helped establish a 108-run opening partnership with Mandhana.
Her ability to score quickly allowed RCB to put pressure on opponents early.
This represented another development in the team’s tactical approach.
Nadine de Klerk’s All-Round Contribution
South African all-rounder Nadine de Klerk also became an important part of RCB’s 2026 success.
Her opening-match performance against Mumbai immediately demonstrated her value.
She took four wickets and then scored an unbeaten 63.
Later in the season, she produced another major bowling performance against UP Warriorz, taking 4/22.
Her contributions strengthened RCB’s all-round options.
Reaching the 2026 Final
RCB’s position at the top of the league table meant the team advanced directly to the final.
This was significant because the franchise had already won the Eliminator route in 2024.
The direct qualification demonstrated how much the team had improved.
Instead of needing to survive a knockout match, RCB had earned an additional period of preparation before the championship game.
The Record-Breaking 2026 Final
The 2026 final became another historic moment for RCB.
Delhi Capitals batted first and scored 203/4, the highest first-innings total in a WPL final.
RCB therefore needed 204 runs to win the championship.
Rather than being overwhelmed by the target, RCB produced an extraordinary chase.
Smriti Mandhana and Georgia Voll formed a 165-run second-wicket partnership.
Mandhana scored 87 from 41 balls, while Voll made 79 from 54.
RCB reached 204/4 in 19.4 overs and won the final by six wickets.
Mandhana’s 2026 Final Performance
Mandhana’s contribution was central to the victory.
Her 87-run innings combined controlled stroke play with aggressive boundary hitting.
The performance also helped her finish the season as the Orange Cap winner with 377 runs.
She was named Player of the Match in the final.
Her performance represented another stage in her journey as RCB captain.
She had led the team to its first championship in 2024 and then guided the franchise to another title two seasons later.
Georgia Voll’s Breakthrough
Georgia Voll played an equally important role in the final.
Her 79 from 54 balls complemented Mandhana’s attacking innings.
The pair’s 165-run partnership kept RCB ahead of the required rate for much of the chase.
Voll’s performance also illustrated how RCB’s squad had developed beyond its original group of established international stars.
Emerging players could now contribute in major matches alongside experienced leaders.
RCB’s Second WPL Championship
The 2026 victory gave RCB its second WPL title.
The franchise therefore joined Mumbai Indians as the only teams to have won the competition twice through the 2026 season.
The two championships also came in very different circumstances.
The 2024 final was a relatively low-scoring match decided by outstanding bowling.
The 2026 final was a record-breaking run chase.
Together, the two victories demonstrate the different ways RCB has learned to win.
The Evolution of RCB’s Playing Style
RCB’s playing style has developed considerably since 2023.
The inaugural squad had major individual names but struggled to consistently combine their skills.
The championship-winning teams were more balanced.
By 2026, RCB could attack through multiple batting positions and use several players capable of contributing with the ball.
The team also demonstrated greater confidence in chasing challenging totals.
The 2026 final was the clearest example.
From Star Power to Squad Depth
RCB’s early identity was strongly associated with Mandhana and other high-profile players.
Over time, that identity became broader.
Perry, Ghosh and Patil established themselves as part of the core.
Players such as Harris and de Klerk added further dimensions.
The result was a team that could depend on different players in different matches.
That depth became particularly important during the 2026 championship run.
The Role of Young Indian Players
RCB’s rise has also demonstrated the importance of Indian domestic talent.
Shreyanka Patil became a key example.
Richa Ghosh developed into a regular member of the team’s core.
The franchise’s ability to combine these players with international stars gave younger cricketers access to a high-level professional environment.
This is one of the broader purposes of the WPL.
It creates a pathway where domestic players can compete alongside some of the world’s best cricketers.
RCB’s Connection With Bengaluru
The franchise also benefits from a strong connection with its home city.
The RCB brand had already built a large cricket following before the WPL began.
The women’s team entered that environment and gradually created its own identity.
Winning the 2024 title gave supporters their first major RCB trophy.
The 2026 championship then reinforced the connection between the women’s team and the franchise’s wider fan base.
The Importance of Leadership
Mandhana’s leadership has been a consistent feature of RCB’s WPL journey.
She has remained captain through the team’s difficult first season, its 2024 championship and its 2026 title.
Leadership in franchise cricket requires managing players from different backgrounds and making decisions under pressure.
Mandhana’s continued role has provided stability as the squad has evolved.
What RCB’s Rise Says About the WPL
RCB’s story also demonstrates how quickly teams can improve in the WPL.
The franchise did not reach the playoffs in its first season.
One year later, it was champion.
It then went through another difficult season before returning to the top in 2026.
This progression shows that success in the WPL depends on continuous squad development rather than a single auction.
Teams must learn from each season and adapt to changes in competition.
RCB’s Place in WPL History
After four seasons, RCB has two championships.
Its first came in 2024, when the team defeated Delhi Capitals by eight wickets.
Its second arrived in 2026, when RCB defeated Delhi by six wickets after chasing 204.
The franchise therefore occupies an important position in the early history of the competition.
Its journey from an inconsistent inaugural campaign to a two-time champion provides one of the clearest examples of development within the WPL.
The Road Ahead
RCB’s challenge now is maintaining its competitive structure.
Winning two championships establishes a strong record, but future seasons will bring new squads, emerging players and tactical changes.
The franchise will need to continue developing young Indian talent while managing its established core.
The retention of Mandhana, Ghosh, Perry and Patil before the 2026 season demonstrated the importance of continuity.
Future auction decisions will determine how effectively RCB can refresh the squad around those foundations.
Conclusion
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women’s WPL journey is a story of gradual development rather than immediate success.
The franchise began the competition in 2023 with major expectations but did not reach the playoffs. It responded by strengthening its squad and building around Smriti Mandhana, eventually winning its first championship in 2024.
The 2025 season provided another learning period before RCB returned in 2026 with a stronger and more balanced team.
The 2026 campaign became the franchise’s most impressive WPL season yet. RCB topped the league stage, earned direct qualification for the final and then chased 204 against Delhi Capitals to win by six wickets. Mandhana’s 87 and Georgia Voll’s 79 formed the foundation of a 165-run partnership.
The victory made RCB only the second two-time WPL champion.
More importantly, the journey shows how a franchise can evolve through experience, leadership, international expertise and investment in Indian talent.
Smriti Mandhana remains the central figure, but RCB’s rise has never depended on one player alone. Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghosh, Shreyanka Patil, Sophie Devine, Nadine de Klerk, Grace Harris, Georgia Voll and many others have contributed to different stages of the team’s development.
From a difficult first season to two WPL championships, RCB Women have established themselves as an important part of the league’s early history. Their journey also demonstrates how quickly women’s franchise cricket can develop when players, coaches and franchises are given the opportunity to build something over multiple seasons.
