The cricketing scene in Vadodara was lively on Thursday as the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 final took place between Delhi Capitals (DC) Women and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Women. The Capitals showcased excellent batting skills, finishing their innings at 203/4 in 20 overs. Leading the charge was DC captain Jemimah Rodrigues, whose performance assured her a spot in WPL history alongside her Indian teammate Harmanpreet Kaur.
WPL 2026 Final: Jemimah Rodrigues joins elite list with a strong performance
Rodrigues delivered an impressive 57 runs off 37 balls, playing a key role in the Capitals’ innings. With this performance, she becomes one of the select few players to achieve a half-century in a WPL final, joining the ranks of Harmanpreet and Nat Sciver-Brunt.
Notable 50+ scores in WPL finals include:
- 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 showed great intent, hitting her fifty in just 32 balls with eight boundaries. She was eventually dismissed by Sayali Satghare in the 16th over, having shifted the game’s momentum in favor of Delhi, reaffirming her reputation as a key player in important matches.
Delhi Capitals excel as RCB struggles in WPL 2026 Final
After RCB captain Smriti Mandhana chose to field first, the Capitals’ openers took charge right away. Lizelle Lee scored 37, while Shafali Verma added 20, building a 49-run partnership in the initial six overs. Despite losing Verma at the end of the powerplay, the Capitals maintained their momentum.
The middle overs saw a strong partnership between Rodrigues and Laura Wolvaardt. Wolvaardt contributed 44 runs off 25 balls, keeping the pressure on RCB’s bowlers. The duo added 76 runs for the third wicket, escalating the score from 72/2 to 148/3.
The climax came during the death overs. After Rodrigues’ dismissal, Chinelle Henry attacked the RCB bowlers fiercely. She finished unbeaten on 35 off just 15 balls, helping DC score 63 runs in the last five overs. Wolvaardt also contributed to this late surge.
RCB faced challenges with their bowling; while Lauren Bell was economical with figures of 0/19 in 4 overs, others struggled, with Satghare and Nadine de Klerk conceding 46 and 48 runs, respectively. With a win probability of 78.22% at the innings break, Delhi Capitals took a commanding position, leaving RCB with a significant target of 204 runs.
