RCB captain Smriti Mandhana after winning the Women’s Premier League title. (PTI Photo) NEW DELHI: Royal Challengers Bengaluru sealed a historic second Women’s Premier League title with a stunning win over Delhi Capitals in Vadodara on Thursday, but for spinner Shreyanka Patil, the triumph meant something much more personal – a tribute to captain Smriti Mandhana, who delivered a winning performance after going through a turbulent phase in her personal life.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!Mandhana, who recently faced turmoil after her wedding was called off, responded in the most emphatic way possible, smashing 87 in the final, the highest individual score in a WPL title match. Her knock, along with Georgia Voll’s 79, propelled RCB to a record-breaking chase of 204, sealing the trophy in dramatic fashion.
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After the victory, Patil dedicated the title to his captain, underscoring the emotional weight of the victory. “I’d like to mention three people – number one, Smriti, because she’s been through a lot in the last few months. I’d like to dedicate this win to her. Malo and Anya… Today is Anya’s son’s first birthday. And Malo again – he’s a head coach for the first time and it’s a special win for all of us,” she said.Describing it as a “very special” season on her return, Patil thanked the fans for supporting the team despite the daunting 200-plus target. She finished the 2026 campaign with 11 wickets in nine innings, playing a key role in RCB’s title win.
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Mandhana’s heroic innings not only anchored the most successful chase in the WPL finals but also cemented her status as one of the league’s greatest match-winners. Delhi Capitals, meanwhile, were looking for answers after ending their fourth consecutive season without a trophy.All-rounder Radha Yadav appreciated the management’s support and the team’s situational training and said hard work behind the scenes played a big role in the title fight.But for RCB, the night belonged to Mandhan – the captain who turned personal adversity into championship glory.
