Smriti Mandhana completed a remarkable turnaround in early 2026, transitioning from a deeply personal, high-profile heartbreak to leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to their second Women's Premier League (WPL) title. Following the cancellation of her wedding to music composer Palash Muchhal in late 2025—which was initially postponed due to her father’s health issues and later officially called off—Mandhana channelled her focus back into cricket.

Despite the personal turbulence, which included intense media speculation and the calling off of her marriage, Mandhana was lauded for her resilience, returning to the nets shortly after the, most difficult phase of her life to dominate the 2026 WPL season.

Just months before the tournament, Mandhana’s personal life had become the subject of headlines when her marriage plans were unexpectedly called off. In a cricketing world that often blurs the line between personal and professional, the news sparked speculation about how the setback might affect her game. But Mandhana, known for her composure and quiet strength, chose to let her bat do the talking. 

Her brilliance earned her the Player of the Match award in the final, a fitting recognition for the captain who had carried her team to glory. And as the dust settled on the season, Mandhana stood tall as the Orange Cap winner, finishing as the tournament’s leading run-scorer—a testament to her consistency, dominance, and ability to rise above adversity when it mattered most.

SEE ALSO; Top 5 Players to watch out for ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-analysis/top-5-players-to-watch-out-for-ahead-of-t20-world-cup-2026/

Fairytales are often imagined as perfect journeys. Smriti Mandhana’s WPL 2026 story was anything but. It had interruptions, noise, and emotional weight. What made it special was not the absence of adversity — but the refusal to let it define her.

From a called-off marriage to championship glory, this was not a story of escape.

It was a story of choice.

The choice to show up.

The choice to lead.

The choice to let cricket speak.

And in the end, cricket spoke loud enough for everyone to listen.

In the end, Smriti Mandhana didn’t just win a title—she rewrote her story. By letting her cricket speak louder than circumstance, she turned personal adversity into professional greatness, proving once again that true champions rise, no matter the moment.

Gujarat Giants kept their WPL 2026 playoff hopes alive with a thrilling three-run win over Delhi Capitals at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. In Match 17, GG defended 174 successfully, restricting Delhi to 171 for eight in a tense finish.

Batting first, Gujarat posted 174/9, with Beth Mooney anchoring the innings through a composed 58 off 46 balls. Anushka Sharma chipped in with a quick 39 from 25 deliveries, while Tanuja Kanwer added valuable late runs with 21 off 11. For Delhi, Shree Charani was the standout bowler, picking up 4/31 in her four overs.

Delhi’s chase never fully settled after they slipped to 85/5. Niki Prasad’s impressive 47 off 24 balls gave them hope, but Sophie Devine (4/37) and Rajeshwari Gayakwad (3/20) held their nerve to seal a narrow win for Gujarat.

With only three league matches remaining in WPL 2026, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are the only side already assured of a playoff spot. The remaining four teams are still battling for the final two positions. Here’s how the qualification scenarios stack up.

1 Royal Challengers Bengaluru (10 points, NRR +0.947)

RCB began the tournament with five consecutive wins before losing their last two matches. Despite that dip, they remain in a commanding position.

A win against UP Warriorz in their final league match will take them to 12 points and confirm a direct entry into the final. Even if they lose that game, RCB are still highly likely to finish at the top, as Gujarat Giants are the only other team that can reach 10 points and are unlikely to overtake Bengaluru on net run rate.

2 Gujarat Giants (8 points, NRR -0.271)

Gujarat’s campaign has been a roller coaster. After two early wins, they suffered three straight defeats before bouncing back with consecutive victories. With eight points from seven matches, a win in their final league game will guarantee them a playoff berth, as no other team can reach 10 points in that scenario.

If GG lose to Mumbai Indians, things get complicated. They would then need UP Warriorz to lose to RCB and beat Delhi Capitals. In that case, GG and MI would finish on eight points, while DC and UPW would end on six. However, if multiple teams are tied on eight points, Gujarat’s inferior net run rate could still cost them a place in the playoffs.

3 Mumbai Indians (6 points, NRR +0.146)

Defending champions Mumbai Indians have also endured an inconsistent season, winning three of their seven matches so far. Their recent victory over RCB has kept them firmly in the hunt.

ALSO SEE: Why did Joe Root miss out on England’s 2026 T20 World Cup squad?

A win against Gujarat Giants in their final league match should be enough to secure qualification. If several teams finish on eight points, Mumbai’s relatively healthy net run rate is expected to work in their favour.

If MI lose to GG, they will need Delhi to lose to UP Warriorz and RCB to beat UPW. In that situation, MI, DC and UPW would all finish on six points, allowing Mumbai to progress on net run rate.

4 Delhi Capitals (6 points, NRR -0.164)

Delhi have mirrored Mumbai’s inconsistency. After starting with two losses, they won three of their next four games before losing narrowly to Gujarat. A victory over UP Warriorz in their final league match will take DC to eight points and confirm qualification. UPW would then remain on six points.

Delhi are also guaranteed to finish ahead of at least one of Gujarat or Mumbai. If GG beat MI, Mumbai will stay on six points. If MI beat GG, both MI and DC will have eight points, but Delhi’s net run rate would still keep them ahead of Gujarat in that scenario.

5 UP Warriorz (4 points, NRR -0.769)

UP Warriorz currently sit at the bottom of the table but are the only team with two matches remaining. They have four points from six games and still have an outside chance of making the playoffs.

UPW must win both their remaining matches against RCB and Delhi, and also hope that Gujarat beat Mumbai. That combination would leave RCB and GG on 10 points, with UPW sneaking into third place on eight points. If UPW finish on eight points alongside MI and GG, they will need a significant improvement in net run rate to stay ahead of at least one of those teams.

Should UPW lose to RCB and remain on six points, their qualification chances become extremely slim. They would then need a big win over Delhi and hope that Gujarat defeat Mumbai by a large margin, setting up a three-way tie on six points where net run rate would decide the final playoff spot.

Delhi Capitals (DC) made some strong and bold moves at the IPL 2026 mini-auction. Their biggest signing was uncapped Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Dar, whom they bought for ₹8.40 crore. Auqib came into the auction with a base price of just ₹30 lakh, but a bidding war followed. Rajasthan Royals started the bidding, later Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad joined in, but DC stayed till the end and won the bid.

Along with young talent, DC also focused on adding experience to the team. They signed South African veteran David Miller for ₹2 crore and England wicketkeeper-batter Ben Duckett for ₹2 crore. Miller is a very experienced IPL player. He has scored 3,077 runs in 141 IPL matches while playing for Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Gujarat Titans, and Lucknow Super Giants. He has one century and 13 half-centuries, with a strong strike rate of over 138.

Former India cricketer Anil Kumble praised Delhi Capitals for signing David Miller. Speaking on JioHotstar, he said, “Experience is something the Delhi Capitals clearly lacked. While the uncapped batters did perform well last season, Ashutosh Sharma and Vipraj Nigam, in particular, played the finisher's role effectively. Adding someone with David Miller's experience and ability is a big plus.” He also added, “Pairing him with Tristan Stubbs, his South African teammate, strengthens the middle order significantly. At that price, it's an absolute steal for the Delhi Capitals. I thought Gujarat Titans might look to bring him back, but they seem likely to stick with Washington Sundar for that role. Overall, it's a genius move by Delhi Capitals to add experience, something they were missing last season.”

See Also: IPL Auction 2026: Full squad and new bought players for Lucknow Super Giants

Delhi Capitals Bought Players at IPL 2026 Auction

Auqib Dar (₹8.40 crore), Ben Duckett (₹2 crore), David Miller (₹2 crore), Pathum Nissanka (₹4 crore), Lungi Ngidi (₹2 crore), Kyle Jamieson (₹2 crore), Prithvi Shaw (₹75 lakh), Sahil Parakh (₹30 lakh).

Delhi Capitals Full Squad for IPL 2026

Nitish Rana (traded in from RR), Abishek Porel, Ajay Mandal, Ashutosh Sharma, Axar Patel, Dushmantha Chameera, Karun Nair, KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav, Madhav Tiwari, Mitchell Starc, Sameer Rizvi, T Natarajan, Tripurana Vijay, Tristan Stubbs, Vipraj Nigam, Mukesh Kumar, Auqib Dar, Ben Duckett, David Miller, Pathum Nissanka, Lungi Ngidi, Kyle Jamieson, Prithvi Shaw, Sahil Parakh.

In a significant move in the lead-up to the final leg of IPL 2025, Delhi Capitals are set to give KL Rahul a promotion to the opening slot as they prepare for their remaining three league matches. With playoff qualification on the line, the Capitals are looking to experience to firm up the ship.

Rahul, employed mostly in a No. 4 role throughout the season, is now set to take up opening responsibilities, something he's done only once in ten games this year. While he has cobbled together decent contributions in the middle-order role that was given to him early on in the season, the Delhi Capitals think tank is looking to his serene presence and powerplay skills to bring stability to a creaky top order.

The decision follows a series of changes brought about by Jake Fraser-McGurk's unreliable form and the unavailability of Faf du Plessis due to injury. Delhi has lacked rhythm in the recent matches, and the defeat to Mumbai Indians at home appears to have thrown their campaign off track after an impressive start.

ALSO SEE: WATCH: Rohit Sharma funny banter with brother Vishal

Playoff Race Heats Up as Delhi Capitals Rely on KL Rahul and Bowling Depth

Currently placed fifth with 13 points from 11 games, Delhi Capitals must win two of the last three matches to stay in strong contention for a playoff berth. Next week's matches against Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians, and Punjab Kings will be deciders, and the management feels that playing Rahul with the new ball may correct their batting issues. On the bowling front, the absence of Mitchell Starc, who won’t be returning for the remainder of the tournament, adds further pressure. The likes of Mustafizur Rahman, T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar, and Mohit Sharma will need to step up, especially at the death, to support a batting unit in transition.

DC’s remaining games will see them play Gujarat at home, travel to Mumbai for a tough away tie, and end their league phase in Jaipur against Punjab Kings. With seven teams still mathematically in the race, every point is crucial. As Delhi seeks momentum at a critical juncture, KL Rahul’s shift to the top could be the strategic boost they’ve been missing.

Delhi Capitals announced that vice-captain Faf du Plessis and South African batter Tristan Stubbs will return to the team following the mid-season hiatus for IPL 2025. The team, which is co-owned by GMR and JSW, announced du Plessis and Stubbs' return on Saturday, which was just in time for their match on Sunday against Gujarat Titans at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

Their return is a much-needed boost for Delhi and will add significant depth to the squad with their championship experience and big hitting, since the team is currently in fifth place with 13 points from 11 matches and is in a tightly contested race to make the playoffs. Thus far in the tournament, DC has known all too well that they can not afford many more losses in their remaining three matches.

In the official release from the franchise, it was stated that they also suffered some setbacks as they will not have Mitchell Starc and Donovan Ferreira for the remainder of the tournament, and they acknowledge that they "completely respect their decision and wish them all the best and every success for the future."

Also read: West Indies announce their new captain for Test format

Fraser-McGurk's Departure, Mustafizur's Return

Joining the mid-season departures, Jake Fraser-McGurk, one of the top performers of IPL 2024, will not be returning to India because of personal issues. Fraser-McGurk had won fans' hearts with scorching knocks, including a record-breaking 15-ball half-century, and his absence will surely be felt.

In support of the bowling unit in reply, Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman has been acquired as a replacement. Having played for Delhi Capitals in 2022 and 2023, Mustafizur offers familiarity as well as experience in swing bowling. In 57 matches in the IPL, he has claimed 61 wickets at an economy of 8.14, with 8 wickets in 8 matches in IPL 2022.

With the game on and team switchovers confirmed, Delhi Capitals are readying for a pivotal battle for a playoff spot in what could be a thrilling conclusion to IPL 2025.

Delhi Capitals' ace pacer Mitchell Starc was in a tricky situation recently at the Delhi airport, as a video that depicted him furious with an overzealous fan surfaced on social media. In the video, Starc is seen along with his wife and Australian women's team captain Alyssa Healy, clearly irked while loading his bags onto a trolley. When a fan attempted to tape him, Starc firmly asked the individual to "go away," pointing out the frequently overlooked stress and loss of privacy on the part of athletes even in private moments.

Starc was among a number of foreign players to depart India following the suspension of IPL 2025 owing to escalating tensions along the India-Pakistan border. Even though the tournament will resume on May 17, the new schedule has conflicted with international engagements — particularly the World Test Championship (WTC) final between Australia and South Africa, as well as England's tour of the West Indies.

Some Indians are so cringe. Who allows these unprofessional vloggers to be at Delhi Airport?
Sorry Mitchell Starc from his side 😭🙏🏻#DelhiCapitals #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/RBtii0AQvP

— Niharika Fraser Stubbs (@McGurk_Tristan) May 15, 2025

Also read: IPL 2025: RCB vs KKR Match 58 - A Head to Head breakdown

Starc Expected to Miss the Rest of IPL 2025

In a report by The Sydney Morning Herald, Starc has already told the Delhi Capitals management that he will not be returning for the rest of IPL 2025. His reason is said to be linked to the forthcoming WTC final and preparation obligations with the Australian Test team.

Given that he is not available, Delhi Capitals have announced Bangladesh seamer Mustafizur Rahman as cover — even if it is for compatriot Jake Fraser-McGurk, who too had opted out of the second half of the tournament.

Delhi Capitals, now under the captaincy of Axar Patel, are fifth on the IPL 2025 points table with 13 points and three matches remaining. After a good beginning to the season — winning five of their opening six games — a mid-season dip has left their playoff chances hanging by a thread. The Capitals now have a must-win situation in all their remaining matches to qualify for the top four.

The Delhi Capitals' (DC)  IPL 2025 campaign could be heading for serious turbulence. At least three of their six available overseas players are unlikely to return for the remainder of the tournament, with Australian sensation Jake Fraser-M cGurkofficially opting out.

Fraser-McGurk, who lit up the first half of the IPL with explosive batting performances, has told the franchise that he will not be returning to India. The update came after DC contacted all their overseas players on May 13 to check availability from May 17 onwards.

🚨 JUST IN: Mustafizur Rahman has been named as a temporary replacement for Jake Fraser-McGurk for the remainder of IPL 2025

He joins DC for INR 6 crore #IPL2025 #mustafizurrahman #IPL #delhicapitals pic.twitter.com/QepuHA46mE

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) May 14, 2025

According to a report from ESPNcricinfo, the young opener has decided to stay back in Australia following the disturbing events that occurred in Dharamshala earlier this month. While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) held discussions with Cricket Australia (CA) in an attempt to facilitate the return of Australian players, the emotional impact appears to have outweighed cricketing commitments.

ALSO SEE:IPL break has disrupted RCB’s momentum and lineup stability: Aakash Chopra

DC face uncertainty as key foreign players may miss rest of IPL 2025

Mitchell Starc, another big-ticket Australian name, is also reportedly reluctant to rejoin his IPL franchise. While he hasn’t officially pulled out, sources suggest he is "highly unlikely" to return. Starc’s wife and Australian women’s team captain Alyssa Healy recently detailed the harrowing experiences in Dharamshala, providing insight into why some players are choosing not to return.

Meanwhile, South African batter Tristan Stubbs may also leave the IPL early. With the World Test Championship (WTC) Final scheduled for early June, Cricket South Africa (CSA) could recall Stubbs by May 26, in accordance with the original No Objection Certificate (NOC) terms.

There’s still some hope for DC, as veteran Faf du Plessis, who is not bound by any NOC constraints due to his international retirement, might make a return. However, he hasn’t provided a final word yet.

Among the remaining overseas players, Donovan Ferreira, Dushmantha Chameera, and Afghanistan’s Sediqullah Atal are expected to rejoin the squad and be available for selection.

With playoff hopes on the line, DC will need quick clarityand possibly reinforcements if they are to stay competitive in the business end of the tournament.

Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is to resume on May 17, 2025, when Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will play against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Bengaluru, after a week of suspension following heightening tensions between India and Pakistan. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) suspended the tournament on 9 May due to air raid warnings during a Punjab Kings (PBKS) against Delhi Capitals (DC) game in Dharamsala as a precaution for player safety in light of geopolitical tensions. A May 10 announced ceasefire paved the way for the return of the league, but the new schedule is now in jeopardy with a number of overseas players set to miss the rest of the season because of international obligations such as the World Test Championship (WTC) final, bilateral series, and travel bans.

As the IPL resumes, the franchises are preparing for the loss of major overseas players, affecting their plans for the coming matches and playoffs, ending with the final on June 3, 2025. The loss of these players, due to commitments such as the WTC final between Australia and South Africa, England's ODI series against the West Indies, and Australia's tour of Sri Lanka, will challenge the depth of IPL franchises. Below is a breakdown of each team’s current standing, remaining matches, and the overseas players they’re likely to miss.

Gujarat Titans (GT): Standing at the 1st position on the table with 16 points from 11 games, GT now has 3 games remaining. England's ODIs against the West Indies and WTC preparation for South African players are expected to keep Jos Buttler, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, and Gerald Coetzee out.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB): Sitting 2nd with 16 points from 11 matches, RCB has 3 matches remaining. Josh Hazlewood and Lockie Ferguson are likely to miss due to WTC final preparations, while Phil Salt, Reece Topley, and Liam Livingstone will be absent due to England’s ODI series against the West Indies.

Punjab Kings (PBKS): 3rd with 15 points from 11 games, PBKS has 3 games to go. Jonny Bairstow, Chris Woakes, and Ben Stokes are likely to be absent due to WTC preparation and travel restrictions resulting from the previous geopolitical tensions.

Mumbai Indians (MI): Sitting at 4th position with 14 points from 12 games, MI has 2 games remaining. Gerald Coetzee and Anrich Nortje are expected to miss as they prepare for the WTC final with South Africa.

Delhi Capitals (DC): 5th with 13 points after 11 matches, DC have 3 games remaining. Mitchell Starc and Lorcan Tucker will probably miss it due to preparations for the WTC and Australia's return from Sri Lanka, and Tucker's participation remains uncertain.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): Standing at 6th position with 11 points from 12 games, KKR has 2 games remaining. Anrich Nortje will probably miss it because of WTC final preparations with South Africa.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH): Standing at 8th position with 7 points from 11 games, SRH has 3 games remaining. Pat Cummins and Travis Head will probably miss it 55 because of WTC final preparations with Australia.

Also Read: Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma visit Vrindavan after Test retirement

Overseas Players Missing IPL 2025

In a severe blow to Delhi Capitals (DC), news comes that star Australian pacer Mitchell Starc does not seem set to return to the rest of the IPL 2025 season. The left-arm pacer returned to Australia with Alyssa Healy when the league had to be shut down temporarily over security issues. Though the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) looks ahead to a likely resumption by May 16 or 17, Starc's return remains uncertain.

Starc, who was procured by DC for ₹11.75 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction following his release by the Kolkata Knight Riders, has been a key performer in the tournament this season. He has played all 12 games and grabbed 14 wickets with his contributions proving crucial to the bowling attack of DC. His unavailability would be a deep blow to the franchise's chances of the playoffs, particularly with the uncertainty about the availability of other Australian players.

Australian media sources indicated that Starc arrived in Sydney last Sunday but made no public remarks. According to his manager, political tensions may be behind the fast bowler's possible choice to miss the remainder of the IPL. The DC-Punjab Kings match was recently abandoned following security warnings in Dharamsala, prompting concerns among a number of overseas players.

🚨𝑹𝑬𝑷𝑶𝑹𝑻𝑺🚨

Delhi Capitals’ star pacer Mitchell Starc is unlikely to return to India for the remainder of IPL 2025! 🇦🇺👀🏏#IPL2025 #MitchellStarc #DelhiCapitals #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/VxM3Sr0K5A

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) May 11, 2025

Also read: Big setback for RCB ahead of IPL 2025 restart key player in doubt

Concerns About Australian Stars Clouds IPL Return

Complicating matters, it has been reported that the other best players in Australian cricket, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Travis Head, are yet to confirm their availability to return after the Test series. They will first take part in a pre-World Test Championship camp in the UK, before playing South Africa at Lord's, and then play a Test tour to the West Indies. The packed international cricket calendar may also dissuade audience players from finishing the IPL.

Former Australian skipper Mark Taylor expressed concern over the possibility of abandoning the IPL play-offs, "We’re talking about livelihoods, mental health, and safety—they are more important than money.” Meanwhile the BCCI are trying to re-locate the remaining games to southern cities such as Chennai or Bengaluru, where there is a better chance of playing in a safe environment. We are still waiting for final approval from the government, so until then we are unaware of the future of IPL 2025—especially when it comes to international stars like Starc.

Rain returned to ruin the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 again, causing a postponement of the toss in the big-ticket game between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC) on Thursday at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.

The last IPL match to be held in Dharamsala was under threat due to rain as light drizzle kept the pitch covered, causing a postponement. The IPL confirmed the disruption through X, saying, "Toss in Match 58 between @PunjabKingsIPL and @DelhiCapitals in Dharamshala delayed due to rain." Disrupted training sessions and chronic weather issues have marred what was supposed to be the venue's goodbye for the season. Originally scheduled as PBKS's last home match, the next game against Mumbai Indians (MI) has now been relocated to Ahmedabad because of regional tensions.

The 2025 season itself has already seen major rain interruption, with not one but two complete washouts. Thursday's postponement compounds increasing frustration on the part of fans and franchises alike, as playoff permutations currently hang by a thread.

ALSO SEE:IPL 2025: Who is Madhav Tiwari playing in PBKS vs DC match?

Rain, Points, and Playoff Chaos: How a Washout Could Shake Up the IPL Table

For Punjab Kings, who stand third on the points table at 15 from 11, a washout would take them to 16 points securing playoff hopes and giving them a possibility of finishing among the top-two. Delhi Capitals, standing fifth with 13 from 11 games, have a must-win situation to keep themselves in contention for the playoffs. Another no-result would take them to 14 points from 12 games, with no leeway in their last two matches.

A washout may also hurt the Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) chances. With 13 points and a game to go, KKR can accrue at best 15 points. If four teams achieve more than that, KKR will be out of playoff contention.

A PBKS win would help: PBKS, MI, LSG, and KKR.
A DC win would help: DC, GT, and RCB.

Interestingly, if Delhi pick up another “golden point” due to rain, their final league clash against Mumbai Indians on May 15 could turn into a virtual knockout. With both teams potentially locked at 14 points, the loser may find themselves out of playoff contention.