Smriti Mandhana Leads RCB to WPL Glory as Top Run-Scorer

Mandhana Shines in WPL 2026 Finale

Vadodara (Gujarat) [India], February 6: Smriti Mandhana, the captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, has made headlines as the leading run-scorer in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026, guiding her team to their second championship title at the BCA Stadium on Thursday.

The 29-year-old cricketer concluded the season with an impressive total of 377 runs across nine matches, earning her the coveted Orange Cap for the first time.

With an average of 53.86 and a strike rate of 150, Mandhana's standout performance included a top score of 96 runs from 61 balls against Delhi Capitals during the league phase. In the final, she played a crucial innings of 87 runs, securing the trophy for RCB, who previously won the title in 2024.

Following her, Harmanpreet Kaur from Mumbai Indians secured the second position with 342 runs in eight innings, while her teammate Nat Sciver-Brunt came in third with 321 runs from seven innings.

Sophie Devine of Gujarat Giants claimed the Purple Cap with 17 wickets this season. Nandani Sharma from Delhi Capitals also took 17 wickets but had a slightly higher economy rate of 8.32, earning her the Emerging Player of the Season award.

RCB triumphed over Delhi Capitals by six wickets in the final match, marking the fourth consecutive season without a trophy for Delhi. Mandhana's partnership of 165 runs for the second wicket with Georgia Voll, who scored 79 runs off 54 balls, was pivotal in chasing down a challenging target of 204 runs. Her 87 runs also set the record for the highest individual score in a WPL final.

By successfully chasing the highest total in WPL history, Mandhana's team made a significant mark in the tournament's finale, surpassing the previous record of 202 runs set by RCB against Gujarat Giants last year.