Smriti Mandhana Leads RCB to Second WPL Championship

When Smriti Mandhana walked to the crease in Vadodara on Thursday night, her team faced the steepest mountain in Women's Premier League history: chase down 204 runs or go home empty-handed.

What followed was pure cricket magic. Mandhana blazed to 87 runs off just 41 balls, leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their second WPL trophy in a record-breaking chase that finished with two balls to spare.

The captain found her perfect partner in Georgia Voll, who contributed a steady 79 off 54 deliveries. Together, they built a massive 165-run partnership that turned what seemed impossible into inevitable, finding boundaries at will and running hard between wickets.

RCB's six-wicket victory puts them level with Mumbai Indians as the most successful teams in the young league's history. For Delhi Capitals, it marked a heartbreaking fourth straight final appearance without lifting the trophy.

Delhi had set what looked like a winning total thanks to captain Jemimah Rodrigues' 57 and a blistering late cameo from Chinelle Henry, who smashed 35 off just 15 balls. Laura Wolvaardt's unbeaten 44 helped push the score past 200, a mark that had never been chased successfully in a WPL final.

But Mandhana had other plans. She reached her half-century in just 23 balls, finding gaps with precision and launching sixes when needed. The crowd roared as RCB reached 100 at the halfway point, still needing 104 from 60 balls but well ahead of the required rate.

Even when Voll fell with the finish line in sight, RCB held their nerve. The team that had won the 2024 title against these same opponents proved they knew how to close out big games.

Why This Inspires

This victory celebrates more than one team's triumph. The Women's Premier League continues to showcase the incredible talent and competitive spirit in women's cricket, drawing larger crowds and bigger audiences with each season.

Mandhana's performance under pressure demonstrates what happens when women athletes get the platform they deserve. Her fearless approach and technical brilliance inspired young cricketers watching across the country and around the world.

The fact that four different teams have now reached WPL finals in just three years shows the league's competitive balance and growing strength. Every match proves that women's cricket belongs on the biggest stages.

RCB's record chase will be remembered as a defining moment for the tournament and another step forward for the sport.