Smriti Mandhana silenced any doubts about her performance under pressure during the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 final. Despite suffering from a severe flu, Mandhana delivered a remarkable innings, scoring 87 runs off just 41 balls to lead Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to their second WPL title.
Facing a tough target of 204 runs against Delhi Capitals (DC) in Vadodara, Mandhana’s mix of patience and aggression helped RCB win the match by six wickets.
RCB coach discloses Mandhana’s health struggle
RCB’s head coach, Malolan Rangarajan, shared details about Mandhana’s condition, describing her battle with a “massive flu.” After the match, he mentioned that she had a high fever but managed to keep her struggles hidden.
“She was seriously unwell,” Rangarajan stated. “But she turned up and didn’t show it for even a second. She just said there was no problem and that she’d be there. That’s her work ethic.”
This insight added to the significance of Mandhana’s performance in such a crucial match.
Mastering the chase under pressure
In the final, Mandhana showcased her ability to handle high-pressure situations. Starting off slowly, she supported Australian batter Georgia Voll before accelerating after the powerplay.
At the fifth over mark, Mandhana had only scored 6 runs off 5 balls, but then shifted into a dominating performance. She expertly attacked Delhi’s spin bowling, finding gaps and exploiting field placements. As RCB’s sole left-handed batter, Mandhana targeted left-arm spinner Sree Charani, effectively countering a bowler who had performed well earlier.
Her skill in hitting similar deliveries to various parts of the field left the opposing team struggling.
Delhi Capitals bowlers unable to contain Mandhana
Veteran player Sneh Rana also found it difficult to keep Mandhana in check, who appeared fully in command. RCB managed at least one boundary every over, highlighting the persistent pressure they exerted during the chase.
Mandhana’s confidence was evident in her bold play—she backed away to loft spinners and moved across her stumps to easily find gaps. She finished as the leading run-scorer of the tournament with 377 runs in WPL 2026.
“Mandhana saved her best innings for the final”: RCB coach
Rangarajan praised Mandhana’s preparation and evolving approach for her standout performance in the final. He pointed out that her unbeaten 54 against UP Warriorz (UPW) in the last league match marked a key moment, combining tempo with consistency.
“She saved one of her best innings for the final,” Rangarajan said. “She looked completely in control, knowing exactly where and when to attack.”
Behind the scenes, Mandhana’s dedication to improvement was notable. Often referred to as a “nerd” about her batting, she continually adjusts her technique in search of marginal gains. This meticulous focus, along with her calm leadership, set the foundation for RCB’s championship-winning season.
