RCB Opt to Field as Mandhana’s Side Eyes Second WPL Crown Against Delhi Capitals

Vadodara, Feb 2026 : Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won the toss and chose to field first against Delhi Capitals (DC) in the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) final at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara, on Thursday. With both sides retaining the same playing XIs from their previous victories, the summit clash promised a high-quality contest between two of the most consistent teams in the league’s short history.

RCB, champions in 2024, entered the final as table-toppers and are aiming to secure their second WPL title. Delhi Capitals, on the other hand, are appearing in their fourth consecutive final and will be desperate to shed the tag of perennial runners-up, having lost all three of their previous title matches. DC booked their place in the final by edging out Gujarat Giants in a tense Eliminator, while RCB enjoyed a more direct route after dominating the league stage.

At the toss, RCB captain Smriti Mandhana said the decision to bowl first was in line with the trend seen throughout the tournament, where chasing teams have enjoyed greater success. She added that clarity while chasing on a good surface often helps batters plan their innings better.

Reflecting on RCB’s build-up to the final, Mandhana said the team had balanced rest and preparation well. She noted that the first few days after qualifying were spent unwinding, before the squad regrouped for focused training sessions in the lead-up to the final. According to her, the nervous energy around a final is natural and should be embraced rather than avoided. Mandhana emphasised that the team had spoken openly about handling pressure and channeling excitement into positive performances.

The RCB skipper also stressed that the team would stick to what has worked for them so far. Keeping things simple and maintaining calm energy, she said, had been key to their success throughout the season. While acknowledging the heightened excitement of a final, Mandhana underlined the importance of turning up and playing their best cricket on the day.

Delhi Capitals captain Jemimah Rodrigues shared a relaxed perspective on losing the toss, suggesting that in big matches it sometimes works out better that way. She admitted that DC too would have chosen to bowl first, given the conditions, but said the team was comfortable with the situation.

Rodrigues explained that DC’s approach had been to avoid overthinking and keep plans straightforward. She highlighted the advantage of having played the Eliminator on the same pitch, which gave her side a clear idea of how the surface would behave. Familiarity with conditions, she said, had boosted the team’s confidence ahead of the final.

The match is being played on pitch number five, the same surface used for the Eliminator. Former New Zealand women’s wicketkeeper Katey Martin, speaking ahead of the game, observed that the relatively short boundaries could favour batters. The square boundaries measure 54 metres and 58 metres respectively, while the straight boundary stands at 66 metres, making it an inviting venue for stroke play.

However, Martin also pointed out that the pitch still offers something for bowlers, particularly if they maintain discipline. With less grass across the cracks, seamers who hit consistent areas could extract assistance, as demonstrated by DC all-rounder Chinelle Henry, who picked up three wickets in the Eliminator.

As the two sides took the field, the stage was set for a compelling finale—RCB chasing history with a potential second title, and DC hoping that their fourth attempt would finally bring championship glory.

Playing XIs

Delhi Capitals: Shafali Verma, Lizelle Lee (wk), Laura Wolvaardt, Jemimah Rodrigues (capt), Marizanne Kapp, Chinelle Henry, Niki Prasad, Sneh Rana, Minnu Mani, Nandni Sharma, N Sree Charani

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Smriti Mandhana (capt), Grace Harris, Georgia Voll, Richa Ghosh (wk), Radha Yadav, Nadine de Klerk, Pooja Vastrakar, Shreyanka Patil, Sayali Satghare, Arundhati Reddy, Lauren Bell

Team Maverick.