Mandhana misses century but secures fourth consecutive RCB win
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) continued their dominance in the ongoing Women's Premier League, securing a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals on Saturday. While the win cemented their top spot, fans were left with a bittersweet feeling as captain Smriti Mandhana fell just four runs short of a well-deserved century.
This latest triumph in the WPL 2026 RCB vs DC clash marks the fourth consecutive win for the Bengaluru franchise. They have finished the Navi Mumbai leg of the tournament with an unbeaten record.
Bowlers Set the Stage
The match began with a sensational spell from RCB’s seamers. Opting to bowl first, RCB dismantled the Delhi top order within minutes. Lauren Bell and Sayali Satghare were lethal with the new ball, reducing the Capitals to a shocking score of 10 for 4 inside the first two overs.
Bell removed dangerous openers Lizelle Lee and Laura Wolvaardt for practically nothing. From the other end, Satghare dismissed Jemimah Rodrigues and Marizanne Kapp in consecutive deliveries. This early collapse left Delhi staring at a humiliating total.
Shafali Verma Fights Back
Despite the chaos at the other end, Shafali Verma stood tall. She launched a counter-attack, smashing a gritty 62 off 41 balls. Her innings included aggressive stroke play that helped stabilize the innings. Towards the end, debutant Lucy Hamilton played a surprising cameo, scoring 36 off just 19 balls. Their efforts dragged Delhi Capitals to a competitive total of 166.
Mandhana and Voll Dominate Chase
Chasing 167, RCB lost Grace Harris early, but that was the only moment of joy for Delhi. Smriti Mandhana looked in sublime touch from the very first ball. She combined with Georgia Voll to stitch together a massive 142-run partnership.
Mandhana toyed with the spinners, relying on precise placement rather than brute force. She reached 96 off 61 balls but was caught at backward point just moments before victory, missing out on becoming the tournament's first centurion this season. However, Georgia Voll remained unbeaten on 54 to guide the team home with ten balls to spare.
Image Source: Cricinfo
