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Sophie Devine Wins WPL 2026 MVP, Nandani Sharma Named Emerging Player

Gujarat Giants' Sophie Devine was named the Most Valuable Player of WPL 2026, also claiming the Purple Cap for most wickets. Delhi Capitals' young pacer Nandani Sharma earned the Emerging Player of the Season award. Royal Challengers Bangalore won the championship, chasing a record 204 runs in the final. The match featured powerful performances from players like Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues.

Key Points: WPL 2026 Awards: Sophie Devine MVP, Nandani Sharma Emerging Player

  • Sophie Devine wins MVP & Purple Cap
  • Nandani Sharma is Emerging Player
  • RCB wins WPL 2026 title
  • Record 204-run chase in final
2 min read

WPL 2026: GG's Sophie Devine wins season's MVP award, DC's Nandani gets 'Emerging Player' honours

Gujarat Giants' Sophie Devine wins WPL 2026 MVP & Purple Cap. Delhi Capitals' Nandani Sharma is Emerging Player. Recap of RCB's title win.

"Sophie made an impact with the ball and bat alike - Report"

Vadodara, February 6

Gujarat Giants stalwart Sophie Devine captured the 'Most Valuable Player' award while Delhi Capitals young pacer Nandani Sharma secured the 'Emerging Player of the Season' title at the end of Women's Premier League 2026.

A record-breaking run-chase of 204 runs, courtesy of a fine 165-run stand took RCB to their second WPL title, but the third-placed GG and runners-up DC, even after reaching four finals, had something to cheer about in the form of individual awards.

36-year-old New Zealand veteran Sophie made an impact with the ball and bat alike, scoring 243 runs in nine matches at an average of 30.37 and a strike rate of over 148, with two fifties. She also got the 'Purple Cap' for most wickets in the season with 17 scalps at an average of 16.00 and a four-fer to her name.

On the other hand, 24-year-old Nandani took 17 scalps too, but with an average of 18.58, being outdone by the Kiwi legend here. She did have a five-for to her name, 5/33 against GG, which also included a hat-trick.

In the match, RCB won the toss and chose 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 the 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

N
Nandani Sharma
As someone with the same name, I feel so proud! 😄 Jokes aside, what a future she has. A hat-trick and a five-wicket haul in the WPL! Our domestic talent is shining bright. Hope BCCI gives more chances to players like her in the national team.
R
Rohit P
The final was a run-fest! 204 chased down... Smriti Mandhana was on fire. But honestly, DC must be heartbroken. Four finals and no title? That's tough. Jemimah played a great knock too. Congrats to RCB, they were clinical.
A
Aditya G
While the awards are well-deserved, I feel a bit for our Indian players in the MVP race. Sophie was brilliant, but shouldn't the 'Most Valuable Player' ideally be from the champion team? Just a thought. Mandhana was Player of the Match and led RCB to victory.
S
Sarah B
Watching from the US, the WPL is getting better every year! The quality of cricket is outstanding. Sophie Devine is a global star, and to see young Indian talent like Nandani emerge is fantastic for the women's game worldwide.
K
Karthik V
What a tournament! The women are setting the bar so high. 203 in a final and still losing... that's T20 cricket for you. Heartbreak for DC, but kudos to RCB. The future of women's cricket in India has never looked brighter. 🇮🇳

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