Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), under the inspired leadership of Smriti Mandhana, orchestrated a clinical campaign in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 to secure their place in the Grand Final against the Delhi Capitals. By finishing at the summit of the league table, the Scorchers-like late-season composure of RCB allowed them to bypass the Eliminator and head directly to the championship match at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s clinical WPL 2026 campaign
Key player contributions
- Nadine de Klerk: The South African all-rounder was the heartbeat of the team, finishing the league stage as the Purple Cap holder with 15 wickets. Her ice-cool 63* in the season opener defined RCB’s resilient spirit.
- Smriti Mandhana (Captain): Displaying tactical growth and aggressive intent, Mandhana anchored the top order, finishing as a top-five run-scorer and providing the leadership stability needed during mid-season wobbles.
- Lauren Bell: The English pacer was the ‘Powerplay Queen,’ ending the group stage with the most dot balls (104) and providing the early breakthroughs that allowed the spinners to dominate the middle overs.
- Grace Harris: The ultimate ‘X-Factor,’ Harris delivered a match-defining performance in the final league game against UPW, smashing 75 runs and picking up 2 wickets to clinch the top spot.
RCB’s road to the final in WPL 2026: All 8 matches
The Royal Challengers navigated a high-intensity league campaign (6 Wins, 2 Losses), showing both dominant flair and the ability to win ‘ugly’ when required to finish 1st and qualify directly for the Grand Final.
Match 1: RCB vs Mumbai Indians (The Last-Ball Thriller): RCB ignited their campaign with a heart-stopping victory. Chasing 155, the top order faltered to 75/5. Nadine de Klerk showcased her world-class pedigree, smashing 18 runs off the final over against Hayley Matthews to snatch a 3-wicket win on the very last ball.
Match 2: RCB vs UP Warriorz (The Spin Squeeze): The Scorchers-style defensive bowling was on full display here. After posting a modest 148, the spin duo of Shreyanka Patil and Asha Sobhana strangled the Warriorz’ chase, conceding only 24 runs in the final five overs to secure a 12-run win.
Match 3: RCB vs Gujarat Giants (The Dominant Streak): RCB’s third consecutive win was a masterclass in clinical chasing. Mandhana and Harris dismantled the Giants’ bowling attack with a 90-run partnership, reaching the target of 162 with 7 wickets and 15 balls to spare.
Match 4: RCB vs Delhi Capitals (First Leg Finale): In a grueling battle for supremacy, RCB edged out Delhi in a low-scoring thriller. Lauren Bell’s opening burst (2/15) proved the difference as RCB successfully defended a sub-140 total, asserting their dominance as the team to beat in the first leg.
Match 5: RCB vs Gujarat Giants (Playoff Qualification): As the tournament moved to Vadodara, RCB became the first team to mathematically secure a playoff berth. They completed the double over the Giants with a comprehensive 40-run victory, highlighted by a rapid half-century from Sophie Devine.
Match 6: RCB vs Delhi Capitals (First Major Setback): The unbeaten streak finally snapped. On a sluggish track, the RCB batting unit collapsed for a mere 109. The Capitals chased it down with ruthless efficiency, winning by 7 wickets and exposing a rare vulnerability in the RCB middle order.
Match 7: RCB vs Mumbai Indians (The Century Classic): In a high-octane encounter, RCB suffered their second straight loss. Despite a valiant, career-best 90 from Richa Ghosh, the team fell short of MI’s 200-run total, which was powered by the first-ever WPL century from Nat Sciver-Brunt.
Match 8: RCB vs UP Warriorz (Clinching the Direct Final Spot): In a “Winner Takes All” final league match, RCB delivered under immense pressure. Nadine de Klerk produced a devastating spell of 4/22 to restrict UPW, before Grace Harris hammered 75 off just 37 balls to chase the total in 13.1 overs. This massive NRR boost secured the #1 seed and a direct ticket to the Final.
The grand WPL 2026 final: RCB vs Delhi Capitals
By finishing 1st, RCB bypassed the high-risk Eliminator, mirroring the Scorchers’ ability to peak at the right time. With five different “Player of the Match” winners across 8 games, RCB enters the 2026 Grand Final as the most balanced unit in the competition.
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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.