A sublime captain’s knock from Smriti Mandhana guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women to a dominant eight-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals Women in Match 11 of the Women’s Premier League 2026 at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy. Chasing a target of 167, RCB Women wrapped up the contest in just 18.2 overs, with Mandhana producing one of the finest innings of the season to claim the Player of the Match award.
Shafali Verma takes Delhi Capitals to competitive total after early setbacks
The Capitals endured a nightmare start after being asked to bat, collapsing to 10 for 4 inside just 1.3 overs. The top order was ripped apart as Lizelle Lee, Laura Wolvaardt, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Marizanne Kapp departed in quick succession, leaving the Capitals in complete disarray within the powerplay.
Amid the early chaos, Shafali Verma stood her ground at the top, counter-attacking bravely to arrest the slide. Displaying maturity alongside her trademark aggression, Shafali compiled a crucial 62 off 41 balls, ensuring DC remained competitive despite the early damage.
Support arrived late in the innings as Sneh Rana steadied the ship with a composed knock in the middle overs, while Lucy Hamilton provided the late flourish. Hamilton’s explosive 36 off just 19 deliveries lifted Delhi Capitals to a respectable 166 all out, a total that looked unlikely after their dramatic early collapse.
RCB’s bowlers shared the spoils, with Lauren Bell leading the attack through figures of 3 for 26. Sayali Satghare also impressed with three wickets, while Prema Rawat was economical and effective in the middle overs.
Smriti Mandhana’s batting brilliance seals the deal for RCB
In reply, RCB Women lost Grace Harris early, but that only brought Mandhana into complete control of the chase. Timing the ball effortlessly, the left-hander found gaps with ease and punished anything loose, anchoring the innings with supreme authority.
She found an ideal partner in Georgia Voll, who complemented her captain with a fluent 50 off 41 balls. The duo stitched together a match-defining partnership, taking the game away from Delhi Capitals well before the final overs.
Mandhana was eventually dismissed for 96 off 61 balls, smashing 13 fours and three sixes, as Richa Ghosh applied the finishing touches with a quick cameo. RCB completed the chase in 18.2 overs with 8 wickets in hand.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Short of a hundred but MILES ahead of the game. 👑🔥
Smriti Mandhana, commanding as ever. ❤️🔥#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #WPL2026 #DCvRCB pic.twitter.com/86jnCsTra4
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) January 17, 2026
HEARTBREAK FOR SMRITI MANDHANA. 💔
– 96 (61) with 13 fours and 3 sixes. Missed out on a very well deserved hundred, she played exceptionally well. 👏 pic.twitter.com/CL9bsCF4aS
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 17, 2026
Heartbreak for Smriti Mandhana 💔#cricket #DCvRCB #WPL2026 pic.twitter.com/8Gmv107pku
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) January 17, 2026
Two heartbreak of 2026 💔
Virat Kohli × Smriti Mandhana pic.twitter.com/d5eFOx1ceb
— Vivek (@Hailkohli18) January 17, 2026
WPL2026| DCvRCB
96… HEARTBREAKING YET MAGNIFICENT 💔Smriti Mandhana falls just 4 runs short of a deserved hundred 😭
A captain’s knock full of class, timing, and control — one of the finest in WPL 🫡
The crowd rises.
Take a bow, Smriti Mandhana pic.twitter.com/PnAo8TmJVP— RX (@TheReal_RX) January 17, 2026
This was not just a knock from Smriti Mandhana this was a hard slap on the face of haters pic.twitter.com/Zqd3R0UcEo
— Aarav (@kohli_pagluu) January 17, 2026
Smriti Mandhana haters, it’s time to submit your apology 🥶🔥 pic.twitter.com/W06kwfC6pB
— Pari (@BluntIndianGal) January 17, 2026
https://twitter.com/mahixcavi7/status/2012580430235795895
Smriti Mandhana 💔
Leads from the front for RCB96 (61) | SR 157 | 13 fours, 3 sixes
• Misses a maiden WPL century by just 4 runs
• Becomes WPL’s all-time leading catcher (18) pic.twitter.com/FHBkmy26BN
— CricMahesh (@MAHESH_EDI7S) January 17, 2026
Second Cup coming for RCB 🤞❤️🔥
— 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 (@SteveRogers_Fan) January 17, 2026
RCB wins by 8 wickets 🌟
4/4 wins#WPL2026 pic.twitter.com/YP6ClZOmKZ— 𝐑𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐡. (@cricket12craze) January 17, 2026
LAUREN BELL – TAKE A BOW 🫡
4-1-14-1 in first match.
4-0-16-1 in second match.
4-0-29-3 in third match.
4-0-26-3 in fourth match.LAUREN BELL IS UNSTOPPABLE FOR RCB🔥 pic.twitter.com/D2F6ADeig0
— Indian Cricket (@IPL2025Auction) January 17, 2026
Also READ: Meg Lanning, Phoebe Litchfield sizzle as UP Warriorz thrash Mumbai Indians in WPL 2026
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
