A brilliant knock by the captain Smriti Mandhana leader Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women to a dominant eight-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals Women In the 11th match Women’s Premier League 2026 At Dr DY Patil Sports Academy. Chasing a target of 167, RCB Women ended the contest with just 18.2 overs, with Mandhana producing one of the best innings of the season to claim the Player of the Match award.
Shafali Verma leads Delhi Capitals to a competitive total after early setbacks
The Capitals endured a scary start after being asked to bat, going 4-for-10 in just 1.3 overs. Smashed like a top order Lizelle Lee, Laura Wolvice, Jemimah Rodriguezand Marizanne Kapp He came away in quick succession, leaving the Capitals in complete disarray on the power play.
Amid the early chaos, Shafali Verma bravely counter-attacking to catch the slide, he stood at the top. Showing maturity alongside his trademark aggression, Shafali scored a crucial 62 off 41 balls, ensuring DC remained competitive despite early injuries.
He came late in the innings as a support Sneh Rana and he stabilized the ship with a beat in the middle Lucy Hamilton ensured late flowering. Hamilton’s explosive 36 off just 19 deliveries lifted Delhi Capitals to a respectable 166, which looked unlikely after their dramatic early collapse.
RCB’s bowlers shared the spoils Lauren Bell Leads offense with 3-for-26 figures. Sayali Satghare while also impressing with three wickets Prema Rawat it was economical and effective in the middle parts.
Smriti Mandhana’s batting brilliance seals the deal for RCB
In reply, RCB Women lost Grace Harris early, but that only put Mandhana in complete control of the chase. A hard-hitting left-hander, the left-hander found gaps with ease and punished anything loose, anchoring shots with high authority.
He found the ideal partner Georgia is completewho completed his captain’s fluent 50 off 41 balls. The pair put together a match-defining partnership, taking the game away from the Delhi Capital well before the final.
Mandhana was eventually dismissed for 96 off 61 balls, hitting 13 fours and three sixes. Richa Ghosh applied the finishing touches with a quick cameo. RCB completed the chase with 8 wickets in 18.2 overs.
Here’s how the fans reacted:
A hundred less to play, but MILES ahead. 👑🔥
Smriti Mandhana commands as always. ❤️🔥🔥#PlayBold #OurRCB #WPL2026 #Dcvrcb pic.twitter.com/86jnCsTra4
– Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) January 17, 2026
HEART BREAK FOR SMRITI MANDHANA. 💔
– 96 (61) with 13 fours and 3 sixes. He missed a very well deserved hundred, he played very 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 heartaches of 2026 💔
Virat Kohli × Smriti Mandhana pic.twitter.com/d5eFOx1ceb
— Vivek (@Hailkohli18) January 17, 2026
WPL2026| DCvRCB
96… HEARTBREAK IS STILL AWESOME 💔Smriti Mandhan is just 4 runs short of a worthy hundred 😭
A captain’s strike full of class, timing and control – one of the best in the WPL 🫡
The crowd rises.
Bow down, Smriti Mandhana pic.twitter.com/PnAo8TmJVP— RX (@TheReal_RX) January 17, 2026
It wasn’t just Smriti Mandhana’s tattoo, it was a hard slap on the face of the haters. pic.twitter.com/Zqd3R0UcEo
— Aarav (@kohli_pagluu) January 17, 2026
Smriti Mandhan haters, time to apologize 🥶🔥 pic.twitter.com/W06kwfC6pB
— Pari (@BluntIndianGal) January 17, 2026
https://twitter.com/mahixcavi7/status/2012580430235795895
Smriti Mandhana 💔
Leading from the front for RCB96 (61) | SR 157 | 13 fours, 3 sixes
• Scores his maiden WPL century by just 4 runs
• Becomes WPL’s all-time leading scorer (18) pic.twitter.com/FHBkmy26BN
— CricMahesh (@MAHESH_EDI7S) January 17, 2026
Second Cup coming for RCB 🤞❤️🔥
— 𝐂__𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐢𝐧𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜__ (@SteveRogers_Fan) January 17, 2026
RCB win by 8 wickets 🌟
4/4 win#WPL2026 pic.twitter.com/YP6ClZOmKZ— 𝐑𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐡. (@cricket12craze) January 17, 2026
LAUREN BELL – REFRESH 🫡
4-1-14-1 in the first match.
4-0-16-1 in second match.
4-0-29-3 in the third match.
4-0-26-3 in the 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 Warriors beat Mumbai Indians in WPL 2026
This article was originally published here WomenCricket.coma Cricket Times company.
