The ‘Ee Sala Cup Namdu’ chant has officially gone from a hopeful prayer to a de facto declaration of dominance. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) achieved the first time: holding both the IPL and WPL trophies at the same time after a breathtaking victory in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 final on Thursday night.
The historic triumph drew an emotional response from the spiritual heart of the franchise, Virat Kohli. Kohli took to social media almost immediately after blasting the winning runs to praise the team for their resilience.
“Champions again. Holding the RCB flag high and something each of you can be proud of,” Kohli wrote. “To Smrtiti and the entire team and management, a big congratulations on this massive win. You deserve it without a doubt. Enjoy the moment and embrace the love of our amazing fans.” Virat Kohli writes the report for RCB.
RCB’s WPL 2024 triumph ended the Bengal franchise’s long wait for silverware. RCB, one of the most watched teams in the world, were chasing the major title for a long time until Smriti Mandhana and her team broke the streak two years ago. The men followed suit in the 2025 IPL, with Rajat Patidar leading RCB to the trophy as Virat Kohli finally tasted championship glory after years of near misses.
RECORD CHASE IN VADODARA
The final at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara was a high-octane affair that saw records fall. Appearing in their fourth successive final, Delhi Capitals posted a daunting 203 for 4, led by Jemimah Rodrigues’ 57. It was the highest total recorded in a WPL final, leaving RCB with a mountain to climb.
However, captain Smriti Mandhana produced a master class in leadership and batting. In what will be remembered as a “historic chase”, Mandhana smashed a stunning 87 off just 41 balls. Along with Georgia Vollova (79), Mandhana put together a 165-run partnership that dismantled the Delhi bowling attack. Despite some late wobbles, RCB crossed the line with two balls to spare to complete the most successful run-chase in the history of the tournament.
RCB: HISTORIC DOUBLE
This win cements 2025–26 as a golden era for the Bengaluru franchise. With the men’s team finally breaking their 18-year drought to lift the IPL 2025 trophy under Rajat Patidar, and the women now securing their second WPL title (added to their 2024 win), RCB became the first franchise in history to become the reigning champions of both of India’s premier leagues at the same time.
A DOMINANT CAMPAIGN by RCB
The 2026 campaign was a testament to RCB’s consistency. They dominated the league stage, winning six out of eight matches and securing a direct place in the final. Mandhana’s personal form was the catalyst throughout as she ended the season with the Orange Cap, proving that the weight of captaincy only adds fuel to the fire.
As the streets of Bengaluru erupt in celebration, the franchise has finally silenced the critics. From underachievers to two-time champions, the Red and Gold brigade have firmly established a new world order in T20 cricket.
– The end
Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
February 6, 2026
