HIGHLIGHTS RCB vs DC WPL 2026 Final - Result, Scorecard

We are back for the all-important chase! For the last time this season, the Delhi Capitals players take up their respective field positions. The two openers for Royal Challengers Bengaluru - Grace Harris and Smriti Mandhana are out in the middle as well. Marizanne Kapp will start proceedings with the ball. Here we go...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

One target, two destinies - So, the magic number for RCB is 204 to claim their second WPL title, but it will be the biggest chase in a WPL final, with the previous highest being 132, against the Capitals in 2023. They do have the quality, but they have to deliver under pressure. DC, meanwhile, will be quietly confident, knowing that if they do the basics right and take their opportunities, maybe, just maybe, it will be fourth time lucky for them. Join us in a bit for the second essay.

A quick chat - The woman of the moment, CHINELLE HENRY, is having a chat with the broadcasters. She says that in the couple of games that she had batted previously, she was rushing things but tonight, it was fine if she played a few dot balls. Adds that she knows she can rush things early on, so it was all about giving herself a bit of time. Feels that it is a good score on the board but they have seen big scores being chased down and hopes that they can defend it.

A promising start that slipped away - RCB started brightly with the ball, keeping DC to just 9 without loss after three overs, but Sayali Sathgare's second over went for 20 and shifted the momentum, something they never quite managed to regain. De Klerk, Reddy, and Sayali picked up a wicket each, but they were few and far between as partnerships kept building. With the spinners unable to make the impact they would have liked, RCB struggled to put the brakes on the scoring. Bell, despite going wicketless, was the most economical, conceding just 19 runs, and without that tidy spell, the target could have been even more daunting.

A tale of patience and power - The DC openers did struggle a bit in the initial overs, but once the floodgates opened, they kept going to set up a solid platform with a 49-run opening stand. Lee struggled early at 3 off 13 but did well to recover to 37 off 30. Both openers fell in quick succession, but skipper Jemimah Rodrigues, alongside Laura Wolvaardt, did not let the run rate dip, playing with freedom and never looking under pressure as they added a crucial 76-run partnership, with Jemi bringing up a final-worthy half-century. After her dismissal, things slowed down briefly, but Henry's fiery 35 off 15 propelled them past the 200-run mark and handed DC the upper hand in the final.

A final-worthy mountain to climb - Delhi Capitals saved their best for when it mattered most, piling up the highest-ever total in a WPL final and doing it by a handsome margin. It was a true team effort, with contributions flowing from top to bottom, exactly what you want on the biggest stage. RCB do have one encouraging memory to lean on, having pulled off their highest successful chase of the season, 167, against the Capitals themselves, but a final brings its own nerves and pressure, and a target this size with a trophy on the line is a completely different challenge.

Sayali Satghare to Laura Wolvaardt, OUT! LAURA WOLVAARDT IS RUN OUT! The batters simply had to go for that run even though it wasn't there. Sayali Satghare serves it on a hard length and bowls it around off. Wolvaardt hangs back and lifts it down to long off. The ball drops well in front of Arundhati Reddy over there and the batters push for two runs. The throw comes in at the correct end and the keeper, Richa Ghosh, whips off the bails with Wolvaardt nowhere in sight. DELHI CAPITALS END WITH 203/4!

Sayali Satghare to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! Wolvaardt brings up the 200 for DC in style! A low full toss, wide outside off, Wolvaardt does well to get low and under the ball, slashing it up and over point for a boundary.

Sayali Satghare to Chinelle Henry, That's perfect from Sayali. Full and just around off, lands right on the popping crease. Henry takes the front leg out and digs it down to long off for a single.

Sayali Satghare to Chinelle Henry, SIX! There's that muscle power from Chinelle Henry. Full and wide, Sayali Satghare misses the yorker and serves it in the slot. Henry lunges across and hammers it flat over wide long off for a maximum.

Sayali Satghare to Laura Wolvaardt, A low full toss, might have even landed beyond the tramline outside off. Wolvaardt goes on one knee and drives it to deep cover for a single.

Sayali Satghare to Chinelle Henry, Very full and around off, Henry jams the ball back into the turf. The bowler leaps to her right and deflects it to mid on for a single.

Sayali Satghare to Chinelle Henry, WIDE. Pitched up a bit fuller and wider outside off. Chinelle Henry lets it go and a wide is signalled. Hang on, there is a late review from RCB for a wide call, and the third umpire is called into action. The third umpire deems that Henry is standing in her natural stance and confirms that no part of the ball is passing through the guideline. It stays wide.

Last over coming up now, and 200 is well and truly on the cards for Delhi Capitals. Can Sayali Satghare keep them under that mark?

Nadine De Klerk to Chinelle Henry, Back of a length and outside off, hit away off the back foot and down to long off for a single. 24 off the over!

Nadine De Klerk to Chinelle Henry, SIX! Banged in short but down leg. Chinelle Henry aligns herself and pulls it over long leg for a biggie. DC are now back in touching distance of getting to the 200-run mark.

Nadine De Klerk to Chinelle Henry, FOUR! Another boundary from the bat of Chinelle Henry and she is turning on the heat now. Full and straight, loooking for the yorker but just errs a bit on the fuller length. Henry is able to get under it and she forces it up and to the right of deep mid-wicket for a fourth boundary in the over.

Nadine De Klerk to Chinelle Henry, FOUR! Through the offside now! Short of a good length and outside off, Henry gets her hands through the shot and smacks it in front of point for a boundary.

Nadine De Klerk to Chinelle Henry, FOUR! THUMPED! Another slower one, full and outside off, trying to keep the ball out of Henry's hitting arc. It doesn't matter as Henry reaches out and pummels it over mid off for a boundary. According to the on-air commentators, this is now the highest score in a WPL Final.

Nadine De Klerk to Chinelle Henry, WIDE. That nearly landed beyond the cut strip. Slower ball gone wrong from Nadine De Klerk. Full and wide outside off, dips as well and it is confirmed to be a wide.

Nadine De Klerk to Chinelle Henry, FOUR! Henry gets a boundary now. Fullish length on middle and leg, Henry stays low and shovels the sweep towards deep square leg and picks up a boundary.

Nadine De Klerk (3-0-24-1) to bowl the penultimate over.

Arundhati Reddy to Laura Wolvaardt, SIX! A boundary after 16 balls and a big one at that as well. Length ball at the stumps, Wolvaardt is able to get inside the line and she dismissively whips it over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Arundhati Reddy to Chinelle Henry, Hard length around off, Chinelle Henry stays deep in the crease and mistimes the ball down to long on for a single.

Arundhati Reddy to Chinelle Henry, This is sensational death bowling so far from RCB. A leg cutter from around the stumps, this one grips and moves well away from the off stump and stays low. Henry swings across the line but is well beaten.

Arundhati Reddy to Laura Wolvaardt, Back of a length, in and around off, smacked down the ground, to long on again, for a single again.

Arundhati Reddy to Chinelle Henry, Oh, gets away with it, does Reddy. Bowled from around the wicket, the slower one ends up being a full toss. The ball dips on the batter and Henry only manages to hit it down to long on for another run.

Arundhati Reddy to Laura Wolvaardt, Excellent delivery. Full and just outside off, right in the blockhole. Wolvaardt moves to the off side and jams it down to long on for a single.

Lauren Bell to Chinelle Henry, A dot to end and just 6 runs came off Bell's final over. She goes wicketless in the Final but gives away just 19 runs in her 4 overs. Slower one, full and around off, moves away a bit. Chinelle Henry looks to squeeze it out but fails to lay a bat on it.

Lauren Bell to Laura Wolvaardt, Pace off the ball is working perfectly for Bell at the moment. Pitched up, full and outside off, swatted down to long on for just one more.

Lauren Bell to Chinelle Henry, Oh, that stayed low. Another slower ball from Bell, wide outside off and this one doesn't rise much. Henry reaches out and taps it through the cover region for a single.

Lauren Bell to Laura Wolvaardt, Fuller than a good length, shaping away from the sixth stump line. Wolvaardt stays upright and hits it across through mid on for just one more.

Lauren Bell to Chinelle Henry, Full and wide outside off, gets it spot-on this time. Henry reaches out and toe-ends it through covers for a single.

Lauren Bell to Chinelle Henry, WIDE. Another slower one, full and wide outside off, flirting with the tramline. Henry leaves it alone and a wide is called. 150 up for the Capitals.

Lauren Bell to Laura Wolvaardt, Pace-off from Bell, on a hard length and wide outside off. Wolvaardt waits back and swats it down to long off for a single.

STRATEGIC BREAK! Losing Jemimah Rodrigues when DC needed that acceleration is a massive moment in this game. However, Laura Wolvaardt is still out here, and she has to bat till the end. We can also see the ground staff running with the mats, which means the dew has already settled in, and you need 15-20 runs extra for that factor. Royal Challengers Bengaluru have got a timely wicket, but they still need to execute their plans at the death to restrict the opposition, and having the best economy rate in the last 5 overs favours them. Chinelle Henry joins Wolvaardt out in the middle. Also, Lauren Bell is to bowl after the break.

Sayali Satghare to Jemimah Rodrigues, OUT! CAUGHT! GONE! Would you believe it? A full toss on the pads has got the wicket of the in-form batter and RCB will be thanking their stars. Sayali Satghare looks to go full and straight again but ends up serving a juicy full toss on leg stump. Jemimah Rodrigues crouches down to slog it away but ends up heaving it straight down to the deep backward square leg fielder. Nadine De Klerk pouches it safely and the DC skipper has to walk back after a fine knock of 57 off just 37 balls.

Sayali Satghare to Jemimah Rodrigues, A controlled pull shot from Jemi now. Dug in well short and over the stumps, Rodrigues gets on top of the bounce and pulls it to the left of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Sayali Satghare to Jemimah Rodrigues, That's nicely bowled again by Sayali. Full and following the batter down leg. Rodrigues looks to open up the off side but drives it straight to covers.

Sayali Satghare to Laura Wolvaardt, Very full and outside off, right in the blockhole. Wolvaardt hangs back and digs it out to cover-point for one more.

Sayali Satghare to Jemimah Rodrigues, Full and straight, Rodrigues leans on and hits the low full toss down to long on for a single.

Sayali Satghare to Jemimah Rodrigues, FOUR! No respite for the bowlers at the moment, but that was begging to be hit. A gentle loosener down the leg side and Jemimah Rodrigues gets inside the line before helping it past short fine leg for a boundary.

Nadine De Klerk to Laura Wolvaardt, SIX! JUST OVER! Nadine De Klerk lands this short of a length but angling into the leg side. Laura Wolvaardt picks it up and powers it towards the deep square leg fence. Shreyanka Patil thinks she is in the game, but only watches the ball sail over her head for a biggie.

Nadine De Klerk to Jemimah Rodrigues, FIFTY FOR RODRIGUES! A captain's knock from her, and she has not looked troubled at all here. Tossed up, full and on off, Jemimah Rodrigues clips it away through mid-wicket for one more. Not much of a celebration from Jemi, as she knows she has to get her team to a good total here.

Nadine De Klerk to Laura Wolvaardt, Hits the length hard again, follows the batter into leg. Laura Wolvaardt does not have that much room to work with and forces it to long on for another run.

Mel Jones, on-air, talks about the importance of getting over 170 runs as a team batting first. She says that so far this season, only one team has lost when they have got a score in excess of 170. Whereas, when teams get less than 170, it is generally chased down.

Nadine De Klerk to Jemimah Rodrigues, Hard length and around off, Jemimah Rodrigues punches it to sweeper cover for a run.

Nadine De Klerk to Laura Wolvaardt, Back of a length and on middle and leg, Laura Wolvaardt punches it to long on for a single.

Nadine De Klerk to Jemimah Rodrigues, Good length and on middle, Jemimah Rodrigues steps across and flicks it to deep square leg. She calls for two but has to settle for one here.

Another bowling change as Nadine De Klerk (2-0-13-1) is brought back into the attack.

Radha Yadav to Jemimah Rodrigues, Another short delivery, on middle, Jemimah Rodrigues swats it down to long on for one.

Radha Yadav to Jemimah Rodrigues, Dragged back and on middle, Jemimah Rodrigues moves back and flat-bats it over the bowler's head and comes back for the second run as long off cuts it out.

Radha Yadav to Jemimah Rodrigues, Flighted, full and on off, Jemimah Rodrigues pushes it to short cover.

Radha Yadav to Laura Wolvaardt, Just out of reach! Tossed up, full and on off, Laura Wolvaardt uses her feet and drills it uppishly and wide of the bowler. Radha Yadav puts in a dive to her left on the follow-through but the ball just evades her outstretched left hand and goes to long off. They cross.

Radha Yadav to Jemimah Rodrigues, Short again and on off, Jemimah Rodrigues punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

Radha Yadav to Jemimah Rodrigues, FOUR! Superb shot! Floated, short and just around off, Jemimah Rodrigues rocks back, gets on top of it and crunches it through cover-point for a boundary. That also brings up the 50-RUN STAND between these two batters.

Arundhati Reddy has held up one end really well in her last two overs. However, runs are leaking from the other end. Will Shreyanka Patil get another over? No, Radha Yadav is brought back into the attack. She went for 9 runs in her first over.

Arundhati Reddy to Jemimah Rodrigues, Another full delivery, on middle, Jemimah Rodrigues clips it through mid-wicket for one more.

Arundhati Reddy to Laura Wolvaardt, Follows the batter, serves this full and on the pads, Laura Wolvaardt flicks it through backward square leg for one.

Arundhati Reddy to Jemimah Rodrigues, Pitched up and on middle, Jemimah Rodrigues works it towards the vacant mid-wicket region fo another run.

Arundhati Reddy to Laura Wolvaardt, On a length and on middle, Laura Wolvaardt clips it away to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Arundhati Reddy to Jemimah Rodrigues, Short of a length and on middle, Jemimah Rodrigues gets on top of the bounce and swats it to long on for a single.

Arundhati Reddy to Jemimah Rodrigues, Excellent running! Fuller and on middle, Jemimah Rodrigues tucks it with soft hands through mid-wicket, and calls for two straightaway. She turns around and the throw comes at the keeper's end, where Jemi puts in a big dive to make her ground. A direct hit was needed there.

The Capitals are going a shade under 10 runs per over, and this is a great platform for them to go on and get a score of over 200 runs. Can they maintain the intensity? Meanwhile, Arundhati Reddy will continue her spell...

Shreyanka Patil to Jemimah Rodrigues, Flatter, full and on middle, Jemimah Rodrigues clips it through mid-wicket and takes a run. Slight hesitation over the second run, and they decide not to take any risk. 13 runs from the over.

Shreyanka Patil to Jemimah Rodrigues, FOUR! The pattern of a boundary and a dot continues in the over! Shreyanka Patil drags her length back and just outside off. Jemimah Rodrigues rocks back, uses the width on offer and cuts it away through point for four more runs.

Shreyanka Patil to Jemimah Rodrigues, Slower through the air, full and on off, Jemimah Rodrigues gets forward and blocks it out.

Shreyanka Patil to Jemimah Rodrigues, FOUR! Jemi is making batting look easy! Flighted, full and on middle. Jemimah Rodrigues goes down again and slogs it. Smriti Mandhana is standing at silly mid on, but this goes well over her and beats long on to her right for another boundary.

Shreyanka Patil to Jemimah Rodrigues, Floated, full and on middle, Jemimah Rodrigues knocks it back to the bowler.

Shreyanka Patil to Jemimah Rodrigues, FOUR! Sublime timing! Tossed up, full and on off. Jemimah Rodrigues takes a couple of steps forward and goes down on one knee. She extends her arms and plays a crisp cover drive and the ball zips to the fence for a boundary.

Arundhati Reddy to Jemimah Rodrigues, Touch fuller and on middle, on leg, Jemimah Rodrigues works it through mid-wicket for a run. Six singles from the over and it's 100 UP FOR DC!

Arundhati Reddy to Laura Wolvaardt, Back-of-the-hand slower one, bangs this into the pitch, but down the leg side. Laura Wolvaardt swipes it away to deep square leg for just one more. Reddy gets away with it, as it was there to be put away.

Arundhati Reddy to Jemimah Rodrigues, On a length and on middle, Jemimah Rodrigues tucks it through mid-wicket for one.

Arundhati Reddy to Laura Wolvaardt, Back of a length and on middle and leg, Laura Wolvaardt backs away and heaves it to deep mid-wicket for another run.

Arundhati Reddy to Jemimah Rodrigues, Pitched up and on middle, takes pace off, Jemimah Rodrigues knocks it towards long on for a run.

Arundhati Reddy to Laura Wolvaardt, Fuller and around off, Laura Wolvaardt drills it off the toe-end of the bat wide of mid off for a single.

Nadine De Klerk to Jemimah Rodrigues, FOUR! Jemimah Rodrigues is putting away all the bad balls here. Full and wide outside off, Rodrigues reaches for it and hammers the drive wide of deep cover and picks up yet another boundary. The Capitals finish the first 10 overs at 94/2!

Nadine De Klerk to Jemimah Rodrigues, A bit of an agricultural slog from Jemi here. Length ball around off, skids through. Rodrigues looks to swing across the line and misses. There is no need to attempt those shots.

Nadine De Klerk to Jemimah Rodrigues, Nicely done. Back of a length and in the channel, Jemimah Rodrigues plays it late and dabs it between backward point and short third for a couple of handy runs.

Nadine De Klerk to Jemimah Rodrigues, Back of a length and around off, pushed down to mid off for a dot.

Nadine De Klerk to Jemimah Rodrigues, FOUR! Driven and driven to perfection again by Rodrigues. Very full and around off, Rodrigues drills the drive along the turf and gets it past extra cover for a boundary.

Nadine De Klerk to Laura Wolvaardt, Fuller than a good length on off, Wolvaardt presses onto the back foot and plays it with a straight bat back past the bowler for a single.

STRATEGIC BREAK! Delhi Capitals have lost both openers, but they did set up a good platform for them. Now, Jemimah Rodrigues and Laura Wolvaardt are in the rebuilding phase, but both of them are looking in great touch, as the ball is just pinging off the bat. DC will hope that these two can face as many balls as possible, and if that happens, they will surely get to a big total. RCB have managed to get in a couple of quiet overs, and they will be looking to put on the squeeze now, putting pressure on the batters to try something different. Also, Nadine De Klerk will continue after the break.

Radha Yadav to Laura Wolvaardt, Full and flat outside off, jammed out firmly through covers for a single. 9 runs off the 9th over for DC.

Radha Yadav to Jemimah Rodrigues, Shortish length on middle, Rodrigues presses back and punches it down to long on for one.

Radha Yadav to Jemimah Rodrigues, FOUR! Two is the call from Jemimah but she gets a boundary, stellar timing. Flighted ball, fuller on off, Rodrigues makes a bit of room and caresses it through the gap at covers. The fielder at sweeper cover runs to her right and dives but in vain.

Radha Yadav to Jemimah Rodrigues, Tossed up around middle, a bit slower. Rodrigues lunges and strokes it back to the bowler.

Radha Yadav to Jemimah Rodrigues, Rodrigues is already bringing out those cheeky shots. Flighted ball on off, Jemimah Rodrigues shuffles across to get inside the line and laps it down to fine leg for a couple of runs.

Radha Yadav to Laura Wolvaardt, Begins on a good length and bowls it around off. Wolvaardt taps it to sweeper cover and turns the strike over.

Will Shreyanka Patil get another over, with two new batters out in the middle now? Nope, Radha Yadav replaces her.

Nadine De Klerk to Jemimah Rodrigues, A dot to end a successful first over from Nadine De Klerk. Full and straight, jammed back into the turf and straight back at the bowler.

Nadine De Klerk to Laura Wolvaardt, Good length in the channel, Wolvaardt stands tall and smacks it away wide of point for one more.

Nadine De Klerk to Jemimah Rodrigues, Pitched up fuller and outside off, Jemimah Rodrigues plays an inside-out cover drive and nails it to wide long off for a single.

Both the DC openers are back in the hut now. That brings the skipper, Jemimah Rodrigues out to the middle now.

Nadine De Klerk to Lizelle Lee, OUT! CAUGHT! You can see the delight on Nadine De Klerk's face as she sends her fellow Protea back to the hut. Nadine hits the hard length again and keeps the line on off and middle. Lizelle Lee gets down on one knee and looks to clobber it on the leg side. She ends up getting a top edge that sails over mid on. Grace Harris comes in and takes a reverse cup catch under pressure. Lee departs after an entertaining 37 (30).

Nadine De Klerk to Lizelle Lee, Hard length on off, Lee backs away to open up the off side but gets an inside edge back onto the pads.

Nadine De Klerk to Lizelle Lee, Excellent review! Nadine De Klerk begins with a straighter delivery, a touch fuller and on middle and leg. The ball angles in and Lizelle Lee misses the flick, getting hit on the pads. There is a huge appeal and the umpire's finger does eventually go up. Lizelle Lee reviews it immediately. UltraEdge is checked first and there's no bat involved but Ball Tracking shows that the ball would have missed the leg stump. NOT OUT!

Shreyanka Patil to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! Two deliveries faced, two boundaries hit by Wolvaardt. Fractionally short and outside off, Laura Wolvaardt hangs back and slaps the ball just behind point and it rockets to the fence. 19 off the over!

Shreyanka Patil to Lizelle Lee, Flatter one, fired in on off, driven in the air and through mid off for a single.

Shreyanka Patil to Lizelle Lee, SIX! Lizelle Lee is making a statement in the Finale. Tossed up again, on off, Lee picks the length early and whacks it wide of mid-wicket for a 87-meter behemoth.

Shreyanka Patil to Lizelle Lee, FOUR! This is smart batting from Lee. She knew Patil would pitch it further up after erring on the shorter side. Full and on middle, Lee clears the front leg and heaves it towards cow corner for a boundary.

Shreyanka Patil to Lizelle Lee, FOUR! Pulled away in the gap! Dragged length from Patil, fairly straight as well. Lizelle Lee swivels and pulls it between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for a boundary.

Shreyanka Patil to Lizelle Lee, Nagging length, in and around off, Lee pushes it out into the off side.

We have seen a good battle in the first six overs - just 9 runs in the first 3 overs and then 44 in the next 3. Delhi Capitals have scored over 50 runs, but they would have liked not to lose the wicket of Shafali Verma. However, RCB will look to build on that, and for that, Smriti Mandhana has introduced spin now. Shreyanka Patil comes into the attack.

Arundhati Reddy to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! Glorious from Laura Wolvaardt and Delhi Capitals finish the Powerplay at 53/1. Full and straight, Wolvaardt plays the on drive and nails it just to the right of mid on for a boundary.

The 49-run opening stand has been broken now. Laura Wolvaardt walks out to bat at number 3.

Arundhati Reddy to Shafali Verma, OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Oh, Raunak Kapoor, what have you done? He mentions on-air that whenever Shafali Verma and Lizelle Lee get an opening stand of 50 runs or more this season, DC win and on cue, Verma departs when the score reads 49. A surprise short ball from Arundhati Reddy over off and middle, Verma gets into an awkward position looking to pull and gets a faint top edge. Richa Ghosh is standing upto the stumps and takes a smart catch as RCB get their first breakthrough.

Arundhati Reddy to Shafali Verma, 'Catch it' is the shout, but that lands safely. Length ball on the pads, flicked aerially and to the right of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Arundhati Reddy to Shafali Verma, FOUR! Through the gap! Good-length delivery in the channel, Shafali Verma opens up those wrists and plays it off the outer half of the blade, perfectly between point and covers for a boundary.

Arundhati Reddy to Shafali Verma, WIDE. Full and following the batter down the leg side. This one beats the bat and is called a wide.

Arundhati Reddy to Shafali Verma, FOUR! Nicely picked up over the on side. Verma is quick to back away and Reddy tries to follow her but ends up serving a full toss. Verma keeps her shape and hoicks it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Arundhati Reddy to Shafali Verma, Good effort in the deep. Pitched up fuller on middle, Shafali Verma uses her wrists to whip it away well wide of long on. Grace Harris covers the ground to her right and dives in to save a couple of runs.

Time for the first bowling change of the game. Arundhati Reddy comes in to bowl the final over of the Powerplay.

Lauren Bell to Lizelle Lee, On a length and on off, takes pace off again, Lizelle Lee stabs it out towards short cover for one more.

Lauren Bell to Shafali Verma, Slower one, hard length and around off, Shafali Verma slaps it towards sweeper cover for one.

Lauren Bell to Lizelle Lee, In the air...SAFE! A well-directed bumper, on off. Lizelle Lee goes for the pull again but gets a top edge. It goes in the air but lands well over the chasing mid-wicket fielder. They cross.

Lauren Bell to Lizelle Lee, FOUR! Gets it away! Lauren Bell bangs this one into the pitch, on off. Lizelle Lee gets the chance to free her arms and slashes at it. She gets a thick outside edge that flies well wide of short third for a boundary.

Lauren Bell to Lizelle Lee, Short of a length and on middle, Lizelle Lee pulls it hard but straight towards square leg.

Lauren Bell to Shafali Verma, Back a length and around off, Shafali Verma punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

Pheww! A dramatic and entertaining over which has now seen DC get their teeth back in the Powerplay. Lauren Bell will bowl a third over on the trot as she usually does in the WPL.

Sayali Satghare to Shafali Verma, DROPPED! A big chance goes begging here! Low full toss, on middle and leg, Shafali Verma backs away and drills it from the toe-end. It flies straight towards the bowler, where Sayali Satghare fails to react quickly and does not even get her hands to it. The ball hits her thighs and deflects away. They cross. Tough chance but a chance nonetheless. 20 runs off the over!

Sayali Satghare to Shafali Verma, Sharp glovework from Richa Ghosh, but Shafali Verma is safe here! Sayali Satghare bowls a deceptive slower bouncer, on middle and leg. Verma tries to pull it away but misses and loses her balance. Richa Ghosh, standing up to the stumps, grabs it above her head and quickly breaks the stumps. It has been sent upstairs. The third umpire first checks the UltraEdge, but it detects no wood. Time to check for stumping - And after watching a few different angles, the third umpire deems that the batter has grounded her bat before the bails light up.

Is that a stumping? The reaction from Richa Ghosh suggests that Shafali Verma might be safe here. The third umpire is called in to have a look. It was very well deceived by the bowler. UltraEdge is checked first and there's a flatline as the ball passes the bat. The stumping is checked next, but replays show that Shafali had grounded her bat before the bails were dislodged. However, it wobbled back in the air after hitting the turf and the third umpire has a prolonged look at it from a few different angles. NOT OUT is the final decision!

Sayali Satghare to Lizelle Lee, Pitched up and on middle and off, Lizelle Lee crouches low and slogs it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Sayali Satghare to Lizelle Lee, Goes a bit fuller and on middle, angling in. Lizelle Lee stays in her crease and looks to work it away but misses and gets hit on the pads. There is an appeal for LBW, but turned down. RCB does not take the review. UltraEdge afterwards shows that there was a slight nick too.

Sayali Satghare to Lizelle Lee, WIDE! Tries the slower one, but spills it way outside off, Lizelle Lee leaves it alone. Wided.

Sayali Satghare to Lizelle Lee, FIVE WIDES! The runs are flowing now! Sayali Satghare errs in line and serves this full but way down the leg side. Lizelle Lee fails to lay a bat on that one. Richa Ghosh is standing upto the stumps and has no chance of stopping that as it rolls to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Sayali Satghare to Lizelle Lee, SIX! This is right from the middle, no doubt about that! Back of a length and around middle. Lizelle Lee picks up the length early, gets on top of the bounce and whacks it towards deep mid-wicket. The fielder backtracks, but the ball goes way over her head for a biggie.

Sayali Satghare to Lizelle Lee, SIX! BANG! Breaks the shackles now. Sayali Satghare serves this full and on off. Lizelle Lee clears her front leg away and launches it down the ground. She does not get it from the middle of the but gets enough to send it over the long off fence for a biggie.

This is top-notch bowling from RCB in the Powerplay. The two pacers have given nothing away and one feels like Lizelle Lee will try something here to break the shackles. Sayali Satghare to continue...

Lauren Bell to Lizelle Lee, Good length and around off, Lizelle Lee guides it away through point for a single.

Lauren Bell to Lizelle Lee, Another bumper now, outside off, takes off a bit. Lizelle Lee tries to reach out for it but fails to connect. She has a look at the square leg umpire but gets nothing. Five dots now. Bell is fully justifying that 'Queen of Dots' tag!

Lauren Bell to Lizelle Lee, Lauren Bell is giving nothing away here! She goes full, follows the batter into the leg. Lizelle Lee tries to flick it away but plays all around it to get hit on the pads again.

Lauren Bell to Lizelle Lee, Bangs in a bouncer now, outside off, Lizelle Lee watches it through and leaves it alone.

Lauren Bell to Lizelle Lee, Swing and a miss! Fuller again but just on off this time, nips away a shy bit. Lizelle Lee backs away to access the off side, throws her hands at it but misses.

Lauren Bell to Lizelle Lee, Fuller in length and on middle and leg, angling in. Lizelle Lee uses her feet and tries to heave it across the line but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Sayali Satghare to Lizelle Lee, Pitched up and angling into the leg side, follows the batter. Lizelle Lee drags it off the inner half of the bat towards wide deep mid-wicket for one. Tidy over from Sayali!

Sayali Satghare to Lizelle Lee, A bit fuller and on middle, Lizelle Lee makes some room and drives it but fails to beat extra cover as Pooja Vastrakar dives to her right and deflects the ball towards mid off. Three dots in a row now.

Sayali Satghare to Lizelle Lee, On a length and on middle and off, Lizelle Lee pats it back to the bowler.

Sayali Satghare to Lizelle Lee, Play and a miss! Good length and just around off, holds its line. Lizelle Lee looks to push it away but gets beaten on the outside edge. Richa Ghosh, the keeper, grabs it well standing upto the stumps.

Sayali Satghare to Shafali Verma, Uppish but safe! Fuller and on middle, angling in but sticks to the surface a bit. Shafali Verma tries to work it across the line but goes through the shot early. She ends up chipping it but it goes safely over mid-wicket for a run.

Sayali Satghare to Lizelle Lee, Sayali Satghare begins with a full delivery, on middle. Lizelle Lee goes down on one knee and swipes it wide of short fine. The fielder quickly moves to her left and dives to stop it well. A single taken.

An ideal first over for the neutrals. Both teams trading jabs in that over and it is a decent result for everyone involved. Meanwhile, Sayali Satghare will share the new ball with Lauren Bell.

Lauren Bell to Shafali Verma, FOUR! Up and over! Lauren Bell goes full again and on middle. Shafali Verma backs away, stays leg side of the ball and lofts it cleanly over mid off, holding the pose for the first boundary of the final. 5 runs off the first over.

Lauren Bell to Shafali Verma, Touch fuller and on middle, angling in again. Shafali Verma gets drawn forward onto the front foot. She tries to flick but gets an inside edge towards mid-wicket.

Lauren Bell to Shafali Verma, Hits the length hard, on middle, angling in a bit, Shafali Verma gets behind the line of it and blocks it out.

Lauren Bell to Lizelle Lee, Lizelle Lee and Delhi Capitals are underway in the final! Back of a length and around middle, does not bounce that much. Lee looks to pull it away but gets it from the inside half of the bat towards square leg for a single.

Lauren Bell to Lizelle Lee, Use of the feet right away! Fuller one and on off, Lizelle Lee comes down the track to deal with the swing, but drills it straight towards extra cover.

Lauren Bell to Lizelle Lee, Hint of movement! Lauren Bell comes from over the wicket, lands this on a good length and on off, shaping it away a bit. Lizelle Lee stays back and steers it away to point.

We are done with the pre-match proceedings and it is finally time to get the Finale underway. The players of RCB can be seen in a huddle near the boundary ropes as the senior players like Smriti Mandhana and Grace Harris try to lift the spirits before they head onto the field. Ankita Guha and Gayatri Venugopalan, the two on-field umpires, now make their way out to the middle as well. It will be the hard-hitting duo of Lizelle Lee and Shafali Verma to open the innings for the Capitals. Lauren Bell will take the new ball for RCB. There is a slip in place to begin with. Let's go...

A slight delay in proceedings due to the closing ceremony but it is a very short delay of about 5 or so minutes. The BCA stadium is packed to the rafters and the two sets of players are out in the middle. They will now line up for the national anthem of India.

Final words of wisdom - We are done with the closing ceremony and both sets of players can be seen in a huddle. Jemimah Rodrigues is seen listening keenly to what her camp has to say. And it is Shreyanka Patil who is leading the team talk for RCB. The first ball is coming up in just a few minutes. Stay tuned.

Closing Ceremony - While we wait for the final to get underway, Malaika Arora lights up the stadium with a glamorous dance show, setting the tone for the night, before an energetic singing performance from Talwiinder gets the crowd buzzing ahead of the big clash.

PITCH REPORT - Raunak Kapoor is pitchside. He starts by saying that it is Pitch number 5, the same surface used in the Eliminator. Adds that the square boundaries are 54 meters and 58 meters on either side and the straight hit is 67 meters. Former White Ferns' wicket-keeper, Katey Martin, joins him and says that the thing that stands out is that there is a bit less grass on the cracks but feels that there will be something in it for the bowlers. Mentions that if you put the bowl in the good areas, you will get assistance and cites the example of Chinelle Henry in the Eliminator. Ends by saying that it will be a challenge for RCB to get accustomed to this wicket whereas Delhi Capitals have already played on it and there will be something in it for the spinners as well.

Some insights from the DC camp - Marizanne Kapp says that they probably have not been as good as the last three seasons, there have been some ups and downs, but she believes that it is a good thing they have made the final in the odd way. Adds that in previous years, everything went their way, but they just could not get over the line in the finals. Mentions that they had to work really hard to reach the final, and if anyone asked after the first four games, whether they would be here or not, the answer would have been no. Kapp also feels they still have not played their perfect game. Further adds that Jemi has improved a lot in her captaincy throughout the season, and everyone's input has helped her, and she is very open to learning. Ends by saying that it is a good thing that they are coming into the final, having a game just one day ago to keep them in rhythm, and hopes that playing on the same wicket helps them here.

A quick chat - Lauren Bell says that she is just trying to take it all in and is excited about the Final. Adds that playing in franchise cricket, you need to be adaptable and it's a different feeling playing with a different coach and set of players. Feels that her hard work from the last couple of years is bearing fruit and is happy with how her bowling is coming along in this tournament.

The captain of Delhi Capitals - JEMIMAH RODRIGUES says that in such a big game, it is better to lose the toss, but they would have bowled first as well. Adds that the good thing is that they played on the same wicket in the Eliminator and hopes to use that to their advantage. Says that they do not have to do anything different, and just keep things simple. Informs that they are unchanged as well.

The skipper of Royal Challengers Bengaluru - SMRITI MANDHANA says that bowling first has been a trend throughout the competition and they want to know what they will be chasing. Informs that there are no changes to their line-up. Mentions that they had a bit of a break and relaxed for a couple of days but have been back to practice and gearing up for the final in the last couple of days. Adds that the preparation isn't any different for a Final and they just need to turn up tonight.

Delhi Capitals (Unchanged Playing XI) - Lizelle Lee (WK), Shafali Verma, Laura Wolvaardt, Jemimah Rodrigues (C), Marizanne Kapp, Chinelle Henry, Niki Prasad, Sneh Rana, Minnu Mani, Sree Charani, Nandni Sharma.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Unchanged Playing XI) - Grace Harris, Smriti Mandhana (C), Georgia Voll, Richa Ghosh (WK), Radha Yadav, Pooja Vastrakar, Nadine De Klerk, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Sayali Satghare, Lauren Bell.

TOSS - Two best friends, Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues, leading their respective teams in this big final, are out in the middle for the coin flip. It lands in favour of Mandhana and RCB elect to BOWL first.

DC - fourth final, fourth shot at glory - For Delhi Capitals, this is another familiar walk onto the biggest stage, their fourth WPL final and still their chance to finally go all the way after three near-misses. Under Jemimah Rodrigues, DC have gathered momentum through the Eliminator, driven by Lizelle Lee's dominance at the top and her sharp work behind the stumps, while Nandni Sharma has been outstanding with the ball, becoming the leading Indian wicket-taker in a WPL season. They will also take confidence from being the first side to beat RCB in the group stage, blowing them away with a dominant bowling display, and with Shafali Verma and Marizanne Kapp adding firepower and balance, DC arrive believing this could finally be the year their story changes. Stay tuned for toss and all other updates.

Bengaluru chase a second WPL crown - RCB have been a force throughout the 2026 WPL season, finishing clear at the top of the table and sweeping aside challengers with authority. Led by Smriti Mandhana, who has anchored their batting with consistency, and backed by match-winners like Richa Ghosh and Nadine de Klerk, RCB have combined firepower with balance to set the benchmark this season. The impact of Lauren Bell with the new ball has added another cutting edge to their attack, giving them early breakthroughs to control games, and having bypassed the Eliminator grind this time, Bengaluru will be determined to turn another dominant league campaign into a title-winning one.

History, heartbreak and a title on the line - It all comes down to this as Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals meet in the 2026 Women's Premier League Final at the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium in Vadodara, and a very warm welcome to what promises to be a blockbuster night of cricket, a rematch of the 2024 title game when RCB sealed their maiden WPL crown with a dominant performance. RCB finished the league stage at the top and booked a direct berth into this final with a powerful campaign, while DC had to take the longer route through the Eliminator to get here, making this not just a clash for silverware but a battle between consistency and resurgence, legacy and redemption in front of a packed, high-pressure final crowd.

... THE FINALE ...

And then there were two - After a league phase that went right down to the wire in what has been one of the most competitive WPL seasons yet, only Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals remain standing. Best friends off the field and fierce competitors on it, Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues lead their respective sides into a blockbuster rematch of the 2024 final, with ultimate glory on the line. Dominance with a caveat - Royal Challengers Bengaluru made a blistering start to the season, winning their first five games and putting themselves firmly in control of the league stage. They had three opportunities to secure a direct berth in the final, stumbled twice, but eventually got the job done with a win in their final league game to finish on top and book their place in the summit clash. Their last outing came on 29th January, and since then, RCB have had time to put their feet up and watch the rest of the season unfold. A few players even made a short trip to Goa during the break, but the big question now is whether that extended downtime works in their favour. There is also the familiar curse attached to finishing top of the table. Ask the Delhi Capitals, who know it better than anyone. Over the last three seasons, DC secured a direct berth in the final each time, only to lose on all three occasions. Openers hold the key - RCB's fortunes have closely mirrored the form of their opening pair, Smriti Mandhana and Grace Harris. Whenever that combination has fired, Bengaluru have looked dominant and in control. The chink in the armour appears when opposition sides manage to dismiss the openers early. In those moments, they will need more than just individual brilliance, with Georgia Voll, Nadine De Klerk, and Richa Ghosh expected to shoulder responsibility. Bell leads the charge - With the ball, Lauren Bell has made an impact like none other this season. One of the key storylines of the final will be how Delhi's opening pair of Lizelle Lee and Shafali Verma fare against her. Pooja Vastrakar was brought into the side for the final league game, while Mandhana indicated that night she would primarily play as a batter, as she is returning from a long injury layoff. If she is able to chip in with the ball on the night of the final, it would add significant value to an attack that, apart from Bell, has been inconsistent at times. Shreyanka Patil and De Klerk have both chipped in with wickets, and how RCB manage their bowling through the middle overs could very well decide their fate on the big night. From stumble to surge - Delhi Capitals' remarkable streak of reaching the final has continued, but unlike the previous three seasons, this time the path has been far more demanding. After finishing top and qualifying directly for the final in each of the last three editions, Delhi were forced to take the longer route via the Eliminator. Their campaign hit a rough patch during the Navi Mumbai leg, where they managed just 1 win from 4 games. But belief within the group never wavered. A strong turnaround followed in Vadodara, where Delhi won 4 of their next 5 matches. Jemimah Rodrigues' side now stands one win away from finally lifting the trophy that has eluded them for three consecutive seasons. Built to absorb early blows - Like RCB, Delhi rely heavily on the starts provided by their opening pair of Lizelle Lee and Shafali Verma. The key difference, however, lies in depth. Delhi are far less vulnerable if the openers fail, with Laura Wolvaardt and skipper Rodrigues consistently stepping up to steady the innings. Delhi's bowling arsenal - Marizanne Kapp has had a relatively quiet season with the bat, while her returns with the ball have been mixed. There were encouraging signs early in the Vadodara leg, but the last couple of games have once again delivered inconsistent results. That hasn't hurt DC too much though, with Chinelle Henry standing tall with the ball. Another standout in Vadodara has been Sree Charani. After managing just 4 wickets across four matches in Navi Mumbai, she has taken 10 wickets in five games here in Vadodara, emerging as a genuine threat. Minnu Mani has also made her presence felt, and her battle against Mandhana could prove pivotal. The RCB skipper has shown vulnerability against off spin, and it was Mani who dismissed her in their previous meeting. In her maiden WPL season, Nandni Sharma has shown she belongs at this level. With 16 wickets to her name, she now holds the record for the most wickets by an Indian bowler in a single WPL season, going past the previous best of 15 set by Saika Ishaque in the inaugural edition. Whether in the middle overs or at the death, Nandni has performed her role with composure and control. Team form (Last 5 T20s, latest result first) - RCB - WLLWW | DC - WWLWW. What to expect? In Vadodara, you are never quite sure what you are going to get. One thing, however, has been consistent. Through this leg on the black-soil surfaces, the pitch has played slow and low, though batters have gradually grown accustomed to the conditions as the tournament has gone on. All five of Delhi Capitals' wins so far have come while chasing. That said, there have been signs of vulnerability when the finish line has been in sight. Earlier in the season, against the Gujarat Giants, they failed to score 7 runs in one final over and 9 in another. For Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the numbers are not too different. 4 of their 6 wins this season have also come while chasing. With history, rivalry, and redemption all in play, this final promises a fitting end to the WPL season, and it will all come down to who handles the big moments better. So, who are you backing to lift the trophy?