On Thursday, February 5, 2026, Smriti Mandhana etched her name into the history of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) with a legendary performance that secured Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) their second title. Facing the Delhi Capitals (DC) in the final at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara, Mandhana led her team through a record-breaking chase of 204 runs.
What made the innings truly remarkable was not just the statistical brilliance, but the physical adversity she overcame; it was revealed after the match that the RCB captain was battling a “massive flu” and a 103-degree fever throughout the final.
The Record-Breaking ChaseDelhi Capitals, batting first, posted a daunting total of 203/4, led by captain Jemimah Rodrigues’ 57 and a late-inning explosion from Chinelle Henry. No team in the history of the WPL or IPL had ever successfully chased such a high target in a final.
After an early setback where opener Grace Harris fell for just 9, Mandhana and Australian batter Georgia Voll took control of the game. The duo stitched together a mammoth 165-run partnership for the second wicket, effectively taking the match away from Delhi. Mandhana played a masterclass of timing and power, smashing 87 runs off just 41 deliveries, including 12 boundaries and 3 sixes.
The “Inhuman” Effort. While the crowd witnessed a “classy and elegant” display of batting, Mandhana’s health was in a precarious state. According to RCB head coach Malolan Rangarajan, she had been “seriously unwell” on the eve of the match.Medical Context:
Mandhana was battling a 103-degree fever and severe flu symptoms.Leadership: Despite her condition, she reportedly told the coach,
“Nahi, Malo, koi problem nahi (No problem), I’ll be there.” * Secrecy: She chose not to reveal the extent of her illness to the rest of the team to ensure morale remained high.The coach later described her performance as “inhuman,” noting that she looked in complete control despite her physical exhaustion.
Her innings ended in the penultimate over, but her efforts had brought the required runs down to a manageable level. Radha Yadav eventually sealed the win with back-to-back boundaries, allowing RCB to lift the trophy with two balls to spare.Season Achievements and LegacyMandhana’s heroic final innings capped off a stellar season where she proved herself as the premier batter in the tournament.
MetricSmriti Mandhana’s WPL 2026 StatsFinal Score87 runs (41 balls)Season Total377 runs (Orange Cap Winner)Strike RateOver 200 in the FinalTitle Count2 WPL Titles for RCBThe victory was particularly emotional for the franchise, as teammate Shreyanka Patil dedicated the win to Mandhana, hinting at the “personal struggles” and hardships the captain had faced over the preceding 45 days.
With this triumph, RCB has now matched the Mumbai Indians with two WPL championships. Mandhana, named Player of the Match, credited the loyal RCB fanbase for their support, noting that the franchise’s “three titles in three years” (referencing both WPL and IPL successes) was a testament to the team’s growth and resilience.
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