WPL 2026: 'Ee sala cup namdu 2!' - Smriti Mandhana brings double delight to RCB franchise

Published - 06 Feb 2026, 10:55 IST | Updated - 06 Feb 2026, 11:17 IST

In the finals of the Women's Premier League 2026, the Smriti Mandhana-led Royal Challengers Bengaluru thumped the Delhi Capitals to clinch their second title in the tournament. With this triumph, the franchise has now gone shoulder-to-shoulder with the Mumbai Indians as the joint-most successful team in WPL history, with both having a couple of titles.

During the post-match presentation, Mandhana first acknowledged the fans and the significance of the achievement.

“Very pleased. Again, I feel RCB fans are the best fans in the world, wherever we play, we get a lot of support. Even for now, they keep waiting. They know that again, I feel whatever we do is for them. And yeah, I mean, three titles in three years for the franchise. I mean, it's amazing,” she said during the post-match presentation.

Bengaluru's chase suffered an early blow when Grace Harris was dismissed for 9, but what followed was a title-defining partnership. Captain Smriti Mandhana produced a masterclass, scoring 87 off 41 balls with 12 fours and three sixes, while Georgia Voll played the perfect foil, smashing 79 off 54 deliveries.  Their 165-run stand completely shifted the momentum of the final, neutralising Delhi and keeping things firmly under control.

Radha Yadav then calmly finished the chase, ensuring RCBW crossed the line with three balls to spare. Reflecting on conceding 203 in a final, the RCB skipper underlined the team’s composure and highlighted a key bowling performance.

“Yeah, we definitely did think that it's a good surface to bat on. But of course, 200-plus in a final is definitely a good score. I thought that in the last four overs, we definitely bowled well and pulled it a little better. Again, credit to Lauren Bell. I mean, 400 in a match and she goes for like four overs, 20-odd runs. I mean, that's for me is the match-winning spell,” she added.

On the defining partnership with Voll, the Sangli-born revealed the belief she carried even before the final.

“Yeah, of course, Volly led the way. She had almost all the strike in the powerplay, but her intent was really spot on. And I remember telling the girls 10 or 15 days back that I have a feeling that Volly will get a match-winning knock in the final and really happy, really happy for her. She's been working extremely hard on her game. I saw her practicing extra in the last two, three days. So I'm happy that it paid off for her,” she said.

The Maharashtra cricketer credited RCB-W’s support staff for creating clarity and calm throughout the season.

“Well, I think when we win, we all can say that oh being calm and chill always works. But one thing which has stood out for me is the way support staff has been around the girls, the role clarity was given. Not only now, just the auction happened and everyone got phone calls and this is what we are looking from you. This is the batting order or this is the phases we want you to bowl in. And that really helps. Credit to Malo, Anya, RX sir and the roles were pretty clear for all the girls and when I think that happens in the right way, I feel our job is pretty easy to come in and just lead the way,” the skipper stated.

On the belief within the squad during a daunting chase, Smriti believes that the preparation they made was the key theme.

“I feel girls are working extremely hard and that's one thing which really shoots up your belief when you work hard in the gym, when you're putting in the hard yards, you have that belief that any score you can chase it down, anything you can do. And yeah, I mean the whole group was very hardworking girls and they put in the hard yards. So once that happens, I feel the 200 on board, we all felt really confident that we could chase it down. Having said that, but what Volly did, I feel was really special,” she quoted.

Mandhana emphasised that the title was the result of a collective effort, stating that every player in the squad had contributed in some way across the season.

“Well, the campaign we've had, everyone has, I feel everyone going back to their home will say that this is what we've contributed in the team. I'll mention two or maybe three players. PK (Prathyoosha Kumar) was our girl who did not get a game and she was there right through every practice session working and giving water and therefore, I mean these things go unnoticed. Then Gautami and Prema, I mean these are two special youngsters and I'm really happy the way they have worked around the group,” she added.

She ended by once again saluting the fans and celebrating RCBW’s growing legacy.

“Again, before going back, I have to thank all the RCB fans again turning up in huge numbers. This one's for you guys. And I said that, I said this in 2024, I'll say it again, that this time it's Ee sala cup namdu 2! (This year cup is ours) (flashes the number 2 symbol with her left hand) So let's go,” she quoted.

[WATCH] WPL 2026: Chinelle Henry plunders RCB in final

Delhi Capitals once again fell at the final hurdle despite posting a formidable 203 for 4. Their innings was built on strong contributions through the middle, with Jemimah Rodrigues’ 57 off 37 balls holding the innings together and Chinelle Henry providing late momentum with an unbeaten 35 off 15. Lauren Bell stood out with an exceptional spell of 4 overs for just 19 runs, an effort that would prove decisive in a high-scoring contest.