Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) continued their flawless run in the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) cruising to an eight-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals after a commanding all-round display at DY Patil Stadium on Friday. A near-perfect chase, led by a fluent Smriti Mandhana innings and backed by a ruthless new-ball spell, ensured RCB signed off from the Navi Mumbai leg unbeaten.
Chasing 167, Mandhana was the heartbeat of RCB’s response. The left-hander struck a sublime 96 off 61 balls, narrowly missing out on becoming the WPL’s first centurion. Her dismissal came when just 12 runs were needed, but by then the contest had firmly tilted RCB’s way. Georgia Voll played the ideal supporting role, remaining unbeaten on 54 to guide the side home with ten balls to spare.
Mandhana’s knock also placed her in elite company, making her the ninth player in WPL history to score in the 90s. For a long stretch, the milestone hundred looked inevitable before a sharp catch by Lucy Hamilton at backward point denied her a boundary and extended the tournament’s wait for a three-figure score.
The foundation for RCB’s win was laid with the ball. Opting to chase, their pace duo of Lauren Bell and Sayali Satghare ripped through Delhi’s top order inside the first two overs. Bell’s control with the new ball stood out once again, as she removed Lizelle Lee and Laura Wolvaardt in quick succession to leave the Capitals reeling.
From the other end, Satghare, drafted in after Arundhati Reddy was ruled out unwell, delivered a dream spell. After being greeted with a boundary by Jemimah Rodrigues, she struck back immediately, inducing a chop-on before dismissing Marizanne Kapp the very next ball. Delhi were reduced to 10 for 4, staring at a steep climb.
Amid the early collapse, Shafali Verma mounted a lone resistance. After a cautious start, she counter-attacked with authority, finding the ropes regularly and clearing the boundary with ease. Her 62 off 41 balls dragged Delhi back into the contest, and she found support from debutant Lucy Hamilton, whose brisk 36 off just 19 deliveries from No. 9 proved vital. Delhi Capitals managed to post a competitive 166, a total that looked respectable given their disastrous start.
RCB lost Grace Harris early in the chase, but that only brought Voll to the crease. While Voll settled in steadily, Mandhana took charge, mixing elegant placement with selective power. She brought up her half-century in just 31 balls and dominated both pace and spin, ensuring the asking rate never climbed.
The pair stitched together a 142-run stand, effectively ending Delhi’s hopes well before the finish. With this win, RCB completed the Navi Mumbai leg with four wins from four matches, strengthening their position at the top of the table. Delhi Capitals, meanwhile, suffered their third defeat in four games and will look to regroup as the tournament moves to Vadodara from January 19.
