In a thrilling Women’s Premier League 2026 final at BCA Stadium in Vadodara, Delhi Capitals posted a formidable 203 for 4 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, setting a challenging 204-run target. The star trio of Laura Wolvaardt, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Chinelle Henry powered the Capitals to this imposing total on Thursday.
RCB captain Smriti Mandhana won the toss and elected to field first, a decision that tested her bowlers early. Openers Shefali Verma and Lizelle Lee gave Capitals a fiery start, racing to 49 runs in just 5.5 overs. Shefali smashed 20 off 13 balls with three boundaries before falling, while Lee contributed a brisk 37, featuring three sixes and three fours.
Laura Wolvaardt then anchored the innings, partnering with captain Jemimah Rodrigues for a crucial 76-run stand off 51 balls for the third wicket. Rodrigues played a captain’s knock, scoring 57 off 37 deliveries laced with eight fours. Wolvaardt remained steady at 44 off her knock with five boundaries, before teaming up with Chinelle Henry for a quickfire 54-run partnership that pushed the score beyond 200.
Henry remained unbeaten on 35 off 15 balls, providing the late flourish. RCB’s bowlers Sayali Satghare, Arundhati Reddy, and Nadine de Klerk picked up one wicket each, but couldn’t stem the flow.
Delhi Capitals, led by Jemimah Rodrigues, fielded a strong lineup including Lizelle Lee (wk), Shefali Verma, Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp, Chinelle Henry, Niki Prasad, Sneh Rana, Minnu Mani, Shri Chanu, and Nandini Sharma. RCB, under Smriti Mandhana, boasts Grace Harris, Georgia Voll, Richa Ghosh (wk), Radha Yadav, Nadine de Klerk, Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Sayali Satghare, Shreyanka Patil, and Lauren Bell.
As RCB begins their chase, the pressure is on Mandhana’s side to chase down 204 on a batting-friendly pitch. Can they pull off a historic win, or will Capitals clinch the title? The second innings promises high drama.