In a thrilling display of batting prowess, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) shattered records in their pursuit of victory against the Delhi Capitals (DC) in the WPL 2026 final. With a target of 204, RCB achieved the highest successful chase in the league's history, a feat that also ranks second in women's T20s globally. But here's where it gets interesting: this chase wasn't just a league record; it's the highest ever in a T20 final, men's or women's!
The RCB's triumph casts a shadow on DC's unfortunate streak, having now lost all four WPL finals they've qualified for. This includes defeats to Mumbai Indians in 2023 and 2025, and RCB in 2024 and the recent 2026 final.
The RCB's success was largely due to the formidable partnership between Smriti Mandhana and Georgia Voll, who together amassed 165 runs for the second wicket. This partnership stands as the highest in the WPL and in any women's T20 final, surpassing the previous record held by Sophie Devine and Lauren Ebsary in the 2012-13 New Zealand domestic T20 competition.
Mandhana's individual performance was equally impressive, scoring 87 runs, the highest in a WPL playoff. Voll's 79 runs were the second-highest, and together they dominated the DC bowling attack. This performance also marked Mandhana's rise as the top run-scorer in WPL 2026, with 377 runs to her name, second only to Nat Sciver-Brunt's tally in the 2025 season.
The final witnessed a total of 407 runs, making it the highest-scoring knockout match in women's T20s and the third-highest in WPL history. RCB's boundary-hitting prowess was on full display, with 32 fours in total, matching the joint-most in a WPL game. Despite a brief lull in the 16th over, RCB batters consistently found the boundary, showcasing their determination and skill.
Mandhana's overall performance in the WPL is remarkable, having scored over 1000 runs in four seasons, a feat achieved by only four other batters. Her dominance against DC is particularly noteworthy, with 463 runs in just ten innings, compared to 560 runs in 25 innings against other WPL opponents.
And this is the part most people miss: Mandhana's performance raises questions about the balance between bat and ball in the WPL. Is the league favoring batters too much, or is this a sign of the sport's evolution? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
