Smriti Mandhana Leads RCB to Historic WPL Victory and Secures Orange Cap

RCB Clinches Second WPL Title

Vadodara (Gujarat) [India], February 6: Under the leadership of Smriti Mandhana, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) triumphed in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), claiming their second title. Mandhana not only led her team to victory but also earned the Orange Cap for scoring the most runs this season, surpassing the 1,000-run milestone in the tournament and breaking numerous records.

RCB's remarkable performance culminated in a six-wicket victory, marking the highest successful run chase in a women's T20 final.

In the decisive match, Mandhana showcased her skills with a stunning 87 runs off just 41 balls, hitting 12 fours and three sixes, achieving a strike rate exceeding 212. She formed a record 165-run partnership with Australian player Georgia Voll, the highest for any wicket in WPL history.

Finishing the season as the leading run-scorer, Mandhana amassed 377 runs across nine matches, averaging 53.85 with a strike rate above 153, including three half-centuries. This performance ranks as the second-best in WPL history, following Mumbai Indians' Nat Sciver Brunt's impressive 523 runs in the previous season.

Mandhana also joined an elite group of players, becoming the fifth to reach 1,000 runs in WPL history, with a total of 1,023 runs in 35 matches, averaging 31.00 and a strike rate of 136.76, including seven fifties and a top score of 96.

Her 23-ball fifty is recognized as the fastest in a WPL final, and she holds the record for the most century partnerships in WPL, with six such stands, surpassing Nat Sciver Brunt.

In the final match, RCB won the toss and chose to bowl first. Lizelle Lee contributed 37 runs off 30 balls, while Shafali Verma added 20 runs off 13 balls, giving DC a strong start. A crucial 76-run partnership between Jemimah Rodrigues, who scored 57 runs off 37 balls, and Laura Wolvaardt, who made 44 runs off 35 balls, helped stabilize the innings.

Chinelle Henry's explosive 35 runs off just 15 balls propelled DC to a total of 203/4 in 20 overs, the highest score in a WPL final.

During the chase, RCB faced an early setback with Grace Harris dismissed for 8 runs. However, the partnership between Mandhana and Voll, which yielded 165 runs, significantly boosted RCB's chances. Despite DC's efforts to regain control with three quick wickets in the final overs, Radha Yadav (12*) and Nadine de Klerk (7*) successfully guided RCB to victory with six wickets remaining and two balls to spare.

Mandhana was honored with the 'Player of the Match' award.