Smriti’s 87 in Final Seals RCB’s Title Triumph
RCB WPL 2026 Second Title
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have clinched their second Women’s Premier League (WPL) crown, powered by Smriti Mandhana’s match‑defining knock and a squad built on smart auction calls, overseas firepower, and a strong Indian core. Their triumph at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara was no accident — it was the culmination of meticulous planning and execution.
Auction Strategy: Building the Foundation
RCB’s road to glory began at the auction table:
- Retained core: Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, Shreyanka Patil, Ellyse Perry (later replaced by Sayali Satghare).
- Smart additions: Lauren Bell, Grace Harris, Nadine de Klerk, Radha Yadav, Georgia Voll.
- Each delivered crucial performances at different stages, ensuring versatility and depth.
This clarity of planning transformed RCB into a balanced unit with multiple match‑winners.
Smriti Mandhana: Captain Fantastic
- Runs: 377 at an average of 53.85, strike rate 153.25.
- Final Knock: 87 runs, fastest fifty in a WPL final (23 balls).
- Leadership: Calm, tactical clarity, and ability to inspire under pressure.
Smriti’s blend of aggression and composure anchored RCB’s campaign, reinforcing her status as one of the premier leaders in women’s cricket.
Overseas Firepower
- Nadine de Klerk (South Africa): 16 wickets, best 4/22; unbeaten 63 with the bat.
- Grace Harris (Australia): Season’s “Super Striker” with a strike rate of 178.19.
- Georgia Voll (Australia): Vital 79 in the final.
- Lauren Bell (England): Tournament‑high 128 dot balls, reliable new‑ball bowler.
Despite Perry’s absence, overseas stars stepped up, delivering match‑winning contributions.
Strong Indian Core
- Gautami Naik: First uncapped player to score a WPL half‑century.
- Shreyanka Patil: Returned from injury with 11 wickets, including a five‑wicket haul.
- Radha Yadav: Clutch performer, sealed the final with back‑to‑back boundaries.
- Richa Ghosh: Middle‑order firepower, including a season‑best 90.
This blend of youth and experience ensured RCB’s dominance throughout the season.
Key Factors Behind RCB’s Triumph
- Auction clarity: Smart picks and replacements.
- Smriti’s leadership: Runs + tactical brilliance.
- Overseas balance: De Klerk, Harris, Voll, Bell.
- Indian depth: Naik, Patil, Radha, Ghosh.
- Team culture: Peaking at the right time, staying grounded under pressure.
Trending Queries Around RCB WPL 2026
- How many WPL titles has RCB won?
- Who was the captain of RCB in WPL 2026?
- Which overseas players starred for RCB?
- Who scored the fastest fifty in a WPL final?
- What was Smriti Mandhana’s role in RCB’s title win?
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🔗 External Links
- Women’s Premier League – Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org in Bing)
- Smriti Mandhana – ESPN Cricinfo (espncricinfo.com in Bing)
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru – Official Site
- BCCI – Official Site
- Reddit Discussions on WPL 2026 (reddit.com)
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