WPL Final 2026: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals Title Clash
The cricketing world turns its attention to Vadodara as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Delhi Capitals (DC) prepare for an epic showdown in the Women's Premier League final on Thursday, February 5, 2026. This championship match promises high stakes and intense competition between two of the league's most formidable teams.
Team Leadership and Season Performance
RCB enters the final as the 2024 champions, led by the dynamic Smriti Mandhana. The team dominated the league stage with an impressive record of six victories in eight matches, securing the top position. Their success this season has been built on strong performances from both batters and bowlers, with key contributions from international stars like Lauren Bell and Grace Harris.
Delhi Capitals, under the leadership of Jemimah Rodrigues, have demonstrated remarkable consistency by reaching their fourth consecutive WPL final. The team earned their spot in the championship match by defeating Gujarat Giants in the Eliminator. Despite their consistent appearances in finals, DC has yet to claim the coveted WPL trophy, adding extra motivation for this crucial encounter.
Historical Context and Head-to-Head Record
The rivalry between these two teams adds significant intrigue to the final. In their nine previous WPL encounters, Delhi Capitals hold the advantage with six victories compared to RCB's three wins. Their most recent meeting on January 24, 2026, saw DC triumph by seven wickets.
However, when it comes to finals, the story differs. The teams have met only once before in a WPL final, during the 2024 season, where RCB emerged victorious by eight wickets to claim the championship. This creates an interesting dynamic where DC leads the overall head-to-head record, but RCB has proven superior in the high-pressure final environment.
What's at Stake for Both Teams
For Royal Challengers Bengaluru, a victory would represent a historic achievement. Winning would mean holding both the IPL and WPL titles simultaneously, a rare accomplishment in franchise cricket. This would also mark their third franchise title overall, cementing their status as one of the most successful teams in women's cricket.
For Delhi Capitals, this final represents a crucial opportunity to break their championship drought. A win would deliver their first WPL title and their first franchise championship overall, validating their consistent performances over multiple seasons.
Match Details and Squad Information
The final will be played at the Vadodara International Cricket Stadium in Kotambi with the match scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM IST on February 5, 2026.
RCB Squad: Smriti Mandhana (captain), Grace Harris, Nadine de Klerk, Pooja Vastrakar, Radha Yadav, Dayalan Hemalatha, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell, Arundhati Reddy, Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), Georgia Voll, Shreyanka Patil, Kumar Prathyoosha (wicketkeeper), Sayali Satghare, Gautami Naik, and Prema Rawat.
DC Squad: Jemimah Rodrigues (captain), Shafali Verma, Lizelle Lee, Nandani Sharma, Marizanne Kapp, Chinelle Henry, Sneh Rana, Laura Wolvaardt, Alana King, Taniya Bhatia (wicketkeeper), Minnu Mani, Pragati Singh, Nallapureddy Shree Charani, Niki Prasad, Lucy Hamilton, and Srujana.
Predicted Playing Elevens
RCB Predicted XI: Smriti Mandhana (captain), Grace Harris, Georgia Voll, Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), Radha Yadav, Nadine de Klerk, Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Sayali Satghare, Shreyanka Patil, and Lauren Bell.
DC Predicted XI: Lizelle Lee (wicketkeeper), Shafali Verma, Laura Wolvaardt, Jemimah Rodrigues (captain), Marizanne Kapp, Chinelle Henry, Niki Prasad, Sneh Rana, Minnu Mani, Nallapureddy Shree Charani, and Nandani Sharma.
Key Players to Watch
RCB's success will likely depend on captain Smriti Mandhana's leadership and batting, supported by the bowling prowess of Lauren Bell and the all-round capabilities of Grace Harris. For Delhi Capitals, the explosive batting of Shafali Verma and Lizelle Lee, combined with the bowling strength of Nandani Sharma and Chinelle Henry, will be crucial factors in their quest for the championship.
This WPL final represents not just a championship decider, but a clash of cricketing philosophies and a test of nerve under pressure. With both teams having distinct motivations and historical contexts, the Vadodara International Cricket Stadium is set to witness a memorable contest that could redefine women's franchise cricket in India.
