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Smriti Mandhana's Record-Breaking 87 Powers RCB to Historic WPL Title

Smriti Mandhana led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their second Women's Premier League title with a dominant six-wicket victory. Her blistering 87 off 41 balls in the final powered the highest successful chase in a women's T20 tournament final. Mandhana also finished the season as the top run-scorer, winning the Orange Cap, and became the fifth player to cross 1,000 career WPL runs. A record 165-run partnership with Georgia Voll was central to RCB's historic triumph.

Key Points: Smriti Mandhana Leads RCB to WPL Title, Wins Orange Cap

  • RCB wins 2nd WPL title
  • Mandhana scores 87 in final & wins Orange Cap
  • 165-run stand with Georgia Voll sets record
  • Mandhana surpasses 1,000 career WPL runs
3 min read

1,000 WPL runs, Orange Cap, 2nd league title, records: RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana's purple patch continues

Smriti Mandhana's 87 off 41 balls, a record 165-run stand, and the Orange Cap fueled RCB's record chase to win their 2nd WPL title.

"She also joined the stalwarts... as the fifth player to complete 1,000 WPL runs."

Vadodara, February 6

Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Smriti Mandhana led the Red and Gold franchise to the second Women's Premier League title, securing the Orange Cap for most runs this season, completing 1,000 runs in the tournament and shattering plenty of records.

A dominant RCB made history, securing their 2nd WPL title with a six-wicket win while pulling off the highest run-chase in a women's T20 tournament final.

Smriti came in clutch during the title clash, cracking a scintillating 41-ball 87 with 12 fours and three sixes at a strike rate of over 212. She also struck a 165-run partnership with Aussie star Georgia Voll, which is the highest in WPL history for any wicket.

She finished the season as the top run-getter, scoring 377 runs in nine matches at an average of 53.85 and a strike rate of over 153, with three fifties. This is the second-best WPL season by a batter, next to Mumbai Indians (MI) star Nat Sciver Brunt's monstrous 2025 season with 523 runs at an average of 65.38 and a strike rate of over 152 with five fifties.

She also joined the stalwarts Nat-Sciver, UP Warriorz skipper Meg Lanning, MI captain Harmanpreet Kaur and DC's opener Shafali Verma as the fifth player to complete 1,000 WPL runs. She has made 1,023 runs in 35 matches at an average of 31.00 and a strike rate of 136.76 and seven fifties, with best score of 96.

Mandhana's 23-ball fifty is the fastest half-century in a WPL final.

She is also the batter involved in most century stands in WPL history, with six such partnerships, outclassing Nat Sciver Brunt.

Coming to the match, RCB won the toss and opted to bowl first. Lizelle Lee (37 in 30 balls, with three fours and three sixes) and Shafali Verma (20 in 13 balls, with three fours) put their team to a flying start. A 76-run stand for the third wicket between Jemimah Rodrigues, who played a captain's knock of 57 in 37 balls, with eight fours and Laura Wolvaardt (44 in 35 balls, with three fours and two sixes) brought them back to the game.

Just when RCB threatened to pull things back, Chinelle Henry (35* in 15 balls, with four boundaries and two sixes) played a fiery cameo to power DC to 203/4 in 20 overs, the highest in a WPL final.

In the chase, RCB lost Grace Harris (8) early, but a 165-run stand between Smriti (87 in 41 balls, with 12 fours and three sixes) and Georgia Voll (79 in 54 balls, with 14 fours) pierced DC's chances with every hit. DC threatened to pull things back with three quick wickets in final few overs, but Radha Yadav (12*) and Nadine de Klerk (7*) chased the total with six wickets and two balls in hand.

Mandhana was adjudged the 'Player of the Match' award.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
That partnership with Georgia Voll was pure fire! 165 runs in a final chase of 204... absolutely clinical. So proud of our women's team. The WPL is changing the game for girls across the country. More power to them! 👏
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Michael C
As a cricket fan, you have to appreciate greatness. Mandhana's 87 off 41 in a final is one of the all-time great knocks under pressure. The strike rate of over 212 is just insane. RCB's women's team is building a proper dynasty.
S
Siddharth J
Fantastic achievement, no doubt. But can we also talk about the bowling? Conceding 203 in a final is a concern. The win was built entirely on that phenomenal batting. The team needs a more balanced attack if they want to dominate consistently.
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Neha E
Smriti di is my hero! From Sangli to leading RCB to a title. She makes it look so easy. That cover drive is poetry in motion. So happy for her and the entire team. Ee saala cup namde... finally! 😄
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Rohit P
The men's team should take notes on how to chase in a big final! Jokes aside, this is huge for women's sports in India. The quality of cricket is top-notch. Mandhana, Harmanpreet, Jemimah... we are blessed with so much talent.

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