The Cricket community gathered in Vadodara on Thursday for the final of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026, featuring the Delhi Capitals (DC) Women against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Women. In a thrilling match, the Capitals showcased outstanding batting to score 203/4 in their full quota of 20 overs. Highlighting the team’s performance was DC captain Jemimah Rodrigues, who delivered a pivotal innings, etching her name alongside Indian star Harmanpreet Kaur in WPL history.
WPL 2026 Final: Jemimah Rodrigues Joins Elite Group with Remarkable Knock
Rodrigues made a significant impact, scoring 57 runs off just 37 balls. Her innings not only formed the foundation for the Capitals but also placed her in an exclusive club, making her one of the few players to achieve a half-century in a WPL final, alongside Harmanpreet and Nat Sciver-Brunt.
The list of half-centuries in WPL finals is short:
- Harmanpreet Kaur (66 off 44) vs DC, 2025
- Nat Sciver-Brunt (60 off 55) vs DC, 2023
- Jemimah Rodrigues (57 off 37) vs RCB, 2026
Rodrigues’ innings displayed precision and intent, reaching fifty in just 32 balls with eight boundaries. She was dismissed by Sayali Satghare in the 16th over, having significantly shifted the match’s momentum in favor of Delhi, reaffirming her status as a key player in crucial matches.
Delhi Capitals Set Challenging Target as RCB Struggles in WPL 2026 Final
RCB captain Smriti Mandhana won the toss and chose to field. The Capitals’ opening pair, Lizelle Lee (37) and Shafali Verma (20), set a strong foundation with a quick 49-run partnership in just six overs. Although they lost Verma at the end of the powerplay, the run rate remained high.
During the middle overs, Rodrigues and Laura Wolvaardt formed a significant partnership. Wolvaardt chipped in with 44 runs off 25 balls, keeping pressure on the RCB bowlers. Together, they added 76 runs for the third wicket, pushing the score from 72/2 to an imposing 148/3.
The final overs saw Chinelle Henry unleash an impressive assault, finishing unbeaten on 35 runs from just 15 balls. Her explosive performance helped DC secure 63 runs in the last five overs. For RCB, the bowling figures were disappointing; while Lauren Bell performed well (0/19 in 4 overs), others struggled, with Satghare and Nadine de Klerk conceding 46 and 48 runs, respectively. At the break, Delhi Capitals had a 78.22% chance of winning, leaving RCB with a daunting target of 204 runs to chase for the title.
