With a boundary on the fourth ball of the last over from the Women’s Premier League 2026, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru lifted their second title from the tournament after beating the Delhi Capitals in the final at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara. It was the fourth loss in finals for the Capitals, who become the second team to lose this many finals in women’s franchise cricket after the Brisbane Heat.

Batting first, Delhi Capitals posted a massive score of 203 runs for the loss of four wickets in the 20 overs as Laura Wolvaardt smashed a fine knock of 44 runs in just 25 balls, with the help of three boundaries and a couple of sixes, as their captain, Jamimah Rodrigues, nailed a fine knock of 57 runs in just 37 balls, scoring eight boundaries.

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Bengaluru completed the chase by six wickets with two balls to spare as their captain Smitty Mandana dashed a fine knock of 87 runs in just 41 deliveries thanks to twelve boundaries and three sixes, while their number three batter Georgia Wall cracked 79 runs in just 54 deliveries with the help of 14 boundaries.

List of all award winners from Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026

It was the seventh victory for Bengaluru in nine matches during this WPL edition, which is the joint second-most by a WPL side in any season of the game. Smriti Mandhana finished as the leading run-getter in the tournament for the 2026 season with 377 runs, which is the second most runs in a single season of WPL.

Sophie Divine ended as the leading wicket-taker of the 2026 season. The right-arm pacer picked up 17 wickets, which is the second most wickets in a WPL edition. Bengaluru chased down 204 runs in the final, which is the highest success target being chased in the history of the league.

List of WPL 2026 award winners 

Orange cap winner: Smriti Mandhana (377 runs)

Purple cap winner— Sophie Devine (17 wickets)

Emerging player— Nandini Sharma (17 wickets)

Player of the match for WPL 2026 final- Smriti Mandhana, said, “I feel RCB fans are the best fans in the world. To win two titles in four years is amazing. Everyone going back to their home will say, “This is what we have contributed.”

Brief Scores: RCB-W 204/4 (Smriti Mandhana 87, Georgia Voll 79, Chinelle Henry 2/34) beat DC-W 203/4 (Jemimah Rodrigues 57, Arundhati Reddy 1/40) by six wickets.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women will go up against Delhi Capitals Women in the Final of the Women’s Premier League 2026 on Thursday, January 5 at the BCA Stadium, Vadodara. Both teams have had strong seasons and will now fight for the championship in the biggest match of the tournament.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women are playing their second WPL final. Led by Smriti Mandhana, RCBW previously defeated the same opponent to win the 2024 title, which was their first trophy in franchise history. After another consistent campaign this season, the Bengaluru side will be aiming to lift the trophy once again.

Delhi Capitals Women have once again reached the final, continuing their record of making it to the last match of the tournament. Under the leadership of Jemimah Rodrigues, DCW will be determined to finally win their first WPL title. They will be hoping to make the most of this big opportunity.

RCBW vs DCW: Head-to-Head Record

• Matches Played: 9
  
• Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women Won: 3
  
• Delhi Capitals Women Won: 6
  
• Tied / No Result: 0

RCBW vs DCW: Weather & Pitch Report

The weather conditions in Vadodara are expected to be clear with a favorable for a cricket match. The temperatures are expected to be around 33°C during the day, while during the match, the temperatures are expected to be between 24°C and 28°C. There will be no rainfall, and hence a full match is expected. 

The pitch at the BCA Stadium has mostly supported teams chasing in this WPL season. The surface usually becomes better for batting as the match goes on. Spinners may also get some help from the pitch, making it an interesting contest between bat and ball.

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RCBW vs DCW: Predicted Playing XIs

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (RCBW):

Smriti Mandhana (C), Grace Harris, Radha Yadav, Richa Ghosh (WK), Georgia Voll, Nadine de Klerk, Arundhati Reddy, Sayali Satghare, Pooja Vastrakar, Shreyanka Patil, Lauren Bell

Delhi Capitals Women (DCW):

Jemimah Rodrigues (C), Lizelle Lee (WK), Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp, Shafali Verma, Chinelle Henry, Sneh Rana, Minnu Mani, Niki Prasad, Shree Charani, Nandani Sharma

Once again Delhi Capitals Women have reached the WPL Final as they are ready to play four out of four WPL Finals. In the Eliminator of the WPL 2026, Delhi Capitals Women thrashed Gujarat Giants Women to reach the Final of the season.

After Delhi Capitals Women sent their opponents to bat first at Vadodara on Tuesday evening (February 3), Gujarat Giants Women were restricted to 168/7 in 20 overs. In reply, Delhi Capitals Women chased down the target in 15.4 overs after losing three wickets. Earlier, this season, Gujarat Giants claimed two close wins against Delhi Capitals in the league stage by winning those matches by four and three runs. 

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Beth Mooney fought hard to achieve a challenging total for Gujarat Giants Women

Gujarat Giants had a rough start with 48/3 at the end of the powerplay. Opener Beth Mooney scored 62 not out off 51 balls with six fours, but she hadn't any strong support. The middle-order batter Georgia Wareham was the other name to reach the 20-run mark in that innings by scoring 35 off 25 balls with three fours and one six. In the very late moment, Kashvee Gautam had a useful cameo of 18 off 10 balls with three fours, as Gujarat Giants managed to score 165+ total.

Among Delhi Capitals bowlers, Chinelle Henry picked up three wickets as he had the bowling figures of 4-0-35-3. Also, Nandani Sharma (2/44) got two wickets and Minnu Mani (1/23) had one wicket. 

Delhi Capitals Women batters dominated 

In reply, all the top four Delhi Capitals batters managed the 30-run marks, as they comfortably chased down the target. Openers Lizelle Lee and Shafali Verma had an 89-run partnership for the first wicket. While Lee scored 43 off 24 balls with eight fours and one six, Shafali scored 31 off 21 balls with seven fours. 

Then Laura Wolvaardt and captain Jemimah Rodrigues had a 68-run partnership for the third wicket. Jemimah scored 41 off 23 balls with four fours and one six, while Laura scored 32 not out off 24 balls with two fours and one six. 

Among the Gujarat Giants bowlers, only Georgia Wareham (2/28) and Rajeshwari Gayakwad (1/33) managed to claim wickets. 

Delhi Capitals Women will lock horns with UP Warriorz Women in Match 20 of the WPL 2026 on Sunday, February 1, at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. Led by Jemimah Rodrigues, DC Women are currently placed fourth on the points table after securing three wins from seven matches. With this being their final league fixture, the Capitals have a strong opportunity to book a playoff spot and keep their title hopes alive.

A victory in this crucial encounter would see Delhi Capitals Women move ahead of defending champions Mumbai Indians Women and secure a place in the Eliminator against Gujarat Giants Women. In contrast, UP Warriorz Women have already been eliminated from playoff contention, managing only two wins in seven outings. Despite their exit, UP Warriorz will aim to finish the tournament on a positive note and challenge Delhi with a spirited performance.

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WPL 2026, Match 20, DC-W vs UPW-W: Live Streaming Details

WPL 2026, Match 20, DC-W vs UPW-W: Probable Playing XI

Delhi Capitals Women (DC W):

Shafali Verma, Lizelle Lee (WK), Laura Wolvaardt, Jemimah Rodrigues (C), Marizanne Kapp, Niki Prasad, Chinelle Henry, Sneh Rana, Minnu Mani, Shree Charani, Nandni Sharma

UP Warriorz Women (UP W):

Meg Lanning (C), Simran Shaikh, Amy Jones (WK), Harleen Deol, Chloe Tryon, Deepti Sharma, Shweta Sehrawat, Sophie Ecclestone, Asha Sobhana Joy, Shikha Pandey, Kranti Gaud

The top two teams secured their spots for the playoffs, while Mumbai Indians are still mathematically alive in the Women’s Premier League 2026 playoff race, but their fate depends heavily on other results—particularly the outcome of the Delhi Capitals vs UP Warriorz clash. Despite their recent defeat to Gujarat Giants, Harmanpreet Kaur’s side can still sneak into the Eliminator if scenarios align in their favor. 

Current Standings 

Mumbai Indians – 6 points, NRR: +0.059

Delhi Capitals – 6 points, NRR: -0.164

UP Warriorz – 6 points, NRR: -1.146

Qualification Scenarios

 1: Dependence on DC vs UPW Result

If UP Warriorz beat Delhi Capitals then Mumbai Indians will remain in the top three and qualify for the Eliminator. 

If Delhi Capitals beat UP Warriorz by a slightly big margin then MI will be eliminated.

2: Net Run Rate Factor

MI’s qualification is not just about points but also net run rate (NRR). 

If UP Warriorz beat Delhi Capitals then all three teams could still finish with 6 points.

In that case, Mumbai Indians superior net run rate (0.059 vs Delhi’s lower NRR) would give them the edge to qualify for the Eliminator.

The margin of Delhi’s win matters — a big win could push their NRR above MI’s, eliminating Mumbai, but a narrow win keeps MI’s chances alive.

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Practically, UP Warriorz’s qualification is extremely unlikely. To surpass Mumbai Indians net run rate, they not only need to beat Delhi Capitals but must do so by an improbable margin of around 156 runs — a feat that has never been achieved in WPL history.

Conclusion

The Mumbai Indians had a chance to qualify directly without relying on any other team, but they fumbled in a crucial game against Gujarat Giants (GG). MI lost that match, and GG won their first-ever game against MI in WPL history, leaving Mumbai to depend on other teams results.

This dramatic finish underscores the fine margins in WPL 2026 and highlights how crucial every match, every run, and every over can be in shaping playoff hopes.

So, the path to Mumbai’s qualification is simple, hope UP Warriorz beats Delhi.

Jemimah Rodrigues (captain of Delhi Capitals) received an INR 12 lakh fine due to a slow-over rate violation following her team's 2026 WPL match vs. Gujarat Giants. As a result of failing to complete their overs in a timely manner, the league held her responsible for the infraction.

It was quite a tense match; the Gujarat Giants scored 174 in the allotted 20 overs and thus finished with a total of 9 runs. The highlights were a cool-headed 58 runs scored by Australian Beth Mooney off 46 balls, and additional runs were provided by Anushka Sharma, who scored 39 off 28. On behalf of Delhi Capitals, the mighty Sree Charani was able to wreak havoc with his impressive bowling, with 4 wickets taken for 31 runs. Leading the charge with a 70-run partnership were Niki Prasad (47 not out) and Sneh Rana (29 not out); however, the Delhi Capitals found themselves needing to score on the last ball of the game in order to win the match.

In the end, Delhi fell just three runs short of victory, thanks to two extraordinary performances by Sophie Devine and Rajeshwari Gayakwad. Devine took 4 wickets for 37 runs, while Rajeshwari Gayakwad added 3 wickets for 20 runs, securing victory for the Gujarat Giants in the final over of play. With this victory over Delhi, the Gujarat Giants moved into second position on the WPL 2026 standings, and Delhi will look to regroup before playing their next match.

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Over-Rate Penalty Overshadows Delhi’s Hard-Fought Battle

Gujarat Giants were well prepared for the challenges they faced with their lineup consisting of players with the ability to play at the highest level. During the final overs of the match, the Giants managed to stop the Capitals from getting close to their run total, as all four of their players took individual responsibility for the match, with each of them making a meaningful contribution. While many teams are just starting to find their rhythm, the Giants' performance showcased how advanced the formation of their players is.

Despite their problems in this match, the Capitals are looking forward to a fresh start against UP Warriorz in Vadodara on February 1st. The Capitals have been without their star players in this series, so this match may be a good opportunity for them to regain some confidence and make a return to the upper tier of the WPL 2026 points table for the remainder of the series.

Gujarat Giants Women are set to take on Delhi Capitals Women in Match 17 of the WPL 2026 at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on Tuesday, January 27. Their previous meeting was a nail-biter, with the Giants edging past the Capitals by just four runs. That result will give the Gujarat-based side added confidence as they prepare for another closely contested encounter against a familiar opponent in the business end of the league stage.

Gujarat Giants have enjoyed a steady campaign, registering three wins from six outings to sit third on the points table. They come into this clash after a morale-boosting victory over UP Warriorz and will aim to keep the momentum going. Delhi Capitals Women, meanwhile, have also won three of their six matches and occupy second place. Riding a two-match winning streak, the Capitals will be eager to extend their run and strengthen their position near the top.

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WPL 2026, Match 17, GG-W vs DC-W: Live Streaming Details

WPL 2026, Match 17, GG-W vs DC-W: Probable Playing XI

Gujarat Giants Women (GG W):

Beth Mooney(w), Sophie Devine, Anushka Sharma, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Kanika Ahuja, Ashleigh Gardner(c), Kashvee Gautam, Bharti Fulmali, Renuka Singh Thakur, Happy Kumari, Rajeshwari Gayakwad

Delhi Capitals Women (DC W):

Shafali Verma, Lizelle Lee(w), Laura Wolvaardt, Jemimah Rodrigues(c), Marizanne Kapp, Niki Prasad, Chinelle Henry, Sneh Rana, Minnu Mani, Shree Charani, Nandni Sharma

Delhi Capitals have been dealt a major setback in their Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 campaign, with promising young batter Deeya Yadav and wicketkeeper Mamatha Madiwala ruled out for the remainder of the season due to injuries. The timing of the development is particularly challenging as the Capitals are fighting to remain in playoff contention. Both players were expected to provide depth and stability to the squad, and their absence leaves a significant gap in Delhi’s lineup. The team will now need to adapt quickly to stay competitive in the final stages of the tournament.

To fill the void left by the injured duo, Delhi Capitals have roped in Hyderabad seamer Eddla Srujana and Punjab all-rounder Pragati Singh as replacements. Both players have been signed at their base price of INR 10 lakh and have already joined the squad ahead of Delhi’s sixth group-stage match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Vadodara on Saturday, January 24. The Capitals will be hoping the new additions can quickly integrate and provide the firepower needed to turn their campaign around.

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The injury to Mamatha Madiwala is particularly unfortunate as she did not feature in a single match this season, meaning her WPL 2026 campaign ended before it even began. Her absence further weakens Delhi’s resources, coming on the heels of Australian all-rounder Annabel Sutherland’s pre-tournament withdrawal for personal reasons. With just two wins from five matches so far, the Capitals face a tough challenge, needing to win all their remaining games to stay in contention and make a push for the playoffs.

Deeya Yadav became the youngest debutant in WPL history

Meanwhile, 16-year-old Deeya Yadav made history earlier this week by becoming the youngest debutant in WPL history when she featured against Mumbai Indians in Vadodara at just 16 years and 103 days. Despite the milestone, she neither batted nor bowled in the match after coming in as a replacement for Minnu Mani in the playing XI. Her debut highlighted Delhi Capitals’ faith in nurturing young talent, but her injury now puts the spotlight on how the team will manage without her explosive potential for the remainder of the season.

Pragati Singh and Eddla Srujana have been drafted in as replacements to bolster Delhi’s squad. Pragati, a seam-bowling all-rounder from Punjab, was her state team’s second-highest run-scorer in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy with 143 runs at a strike rate of 105.14 and also claimed eight wickets in the previous one-day domestic season. Eddla, a right-arm seamer from Hyderabad, has previously served as a net bowler for the Capitals and made her senior domestic debut in the 2023-24 season, having also represented Hyderabad at the age-group level.

Match 15 of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 will see Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (RCB W) take on Delhi Capitals Women (DC W) at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on Saturday, January 24. The two sides previously met in Navi Mumbai, where Bengaluru secured an emphatic eight-wicket win. Led by Smriti Mandhana, RCB W have been unbeaten in all five of their matches so far. Fresh off a dominant victory against Gujarat Giants Women, they aim to maintain their momentum and head into the playoffs with supreme confidence.

Delhi Capitals Women, meanwhile, are struggling at the bottom of the points table. Their only two wins so far have come while chasing, both by seven-wicket margins. Led by Jemimah Rodrigues, the Capitals face a daunting challenge against the in-form RCB W. As the league phase reaches its final stages, every game is crucial, and Delhi will be eager to turn their fortunes around and secure a much-needed victory to boost morale and improve their playoff prospects.

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WPL 2026, Match 15, RCB W vs DC W: Live Streaming Details

WPL 2026, Match 15, RCB W vs DC W: Probable Playing XI

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women

Grace Harris, Smriti Mandhana (c), Georgia Voll, Richa Ghosh (wk), Gautami Naik, Nadine de Klerk, Radha Yadav, Prema Rawat, Shreyanka Patil, Sayali Satghare, Lauren Bell

Delhi Capitals Women

Shafali Verma, Lizelle Lee (wk), Laura Wolvaardt, Jemimah Rodrigues (c), Marizanne Kapp, Deeya Yadav, Niki Prasad, Sneh Rana, Lucy Hamilton, Shree Charani, Nandani Sharma

On Tuesday night (January 20), Delhi Capitals Women claimed an important victory against the defending champions Mumbai Indians Women to stay in the contest of the WPL 2026. After this result, apart from the table leader RCB Women, standing with 10 points after five games (five wins), all four other teams have 4 points each, while the second-placed MI Women have played one more game than the other three teams.  

In the 13th game of the season, Delhi Capitals Women captain Jemimah Rodrigues chose to field first after winning the toss. While MI Women scored 154/5 in 20 overs, DC Women chased down the target in 19 overs after losing three wickets. 

Nat Sciver-Brunt and Harmanpreet Kaur played important roles for 150+ total 

While both the MI openers were dismissed cheaply, Nat Sciver-Brunt and captain Harmanpreet Kaur had an important 78-run partnership for the third wicket. Kaur scored 41 off 33 balls with seven fours before losing her wicket in the 14th over. 

Till the last over of the innings, Nat Sciver-Brunt handled her team, as she scored her third half-century this season and remained not out for 65 off 45 balls with six fours and two sixes. 

Among Delhi Capitals bowlers, Shree Charani took three key wickets, as she had the bowling figures of 4-0-33-3. 

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Skipper Jemimah Rodrigues starred after solid opening start

In reply, Delhi Capitals openers Shafali Verma and Lizelle Lee had a solid 63-run partnership for the first wicket. Shafali scored 29 off 24 balls with six fours, while Lee scored 46 off 28 balls with seven fours and one six. Captain Jemimah Rodrigues controlled the chase strongly, as the Player of the Match scored the match-winning 51 not out off 37 balls with five fours and one six.