RCB vs DC: Defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore take on Delhi Capitals in the WPL final 2026 on February 5 at Vadodara
New Delhi: The Women’s Premier League 2026 final promises an exciting encounter as Royal Challengers Bangalore Women face Delhi Capitals Women. The match is scheduled for Thursday, February 5, 2026, at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara, Gujarat. Fans are eagerly awaiting the clash between the defending champions and a team that is hungry for its first WPL title.
Match Details
The final will be played at BCA Stadium in Vadodara. The toss is scheduled for 7:00 PM IST, after which the match will start at 7:30 PM IST.. The Vadodara pitch offers balanced conditions, which support both batting and bowling. Dew in night matches may give an advantage to teams chasing totals. Therefore, early bowling could play a key role in determining the outcome.
Live Streaming and Telecast
Fans across India can watch the match live on Star Sports Network. Online streaming is available on JioHotstar, which will also provide highlights, expert commentary, and in-depth analysis.
Road to the Final
Royal Challengers Bangalore Women reached the final by finishing at the top of the league table, winning six of their eight matches. They qualified directly for the championship clash.
Delhi Capitals Women earned their place by defeating Gujarat Giants in the Eliminator on February 3. The team was led by standout performances from Lizelle Lee and Shafali Verma. Delhi Capitals have now reached the WPL final four times, but they are yet to secure a championship.
Head-to-Head Record
Historically, Delhi Capitals lead the head-to-head record in WPL matches, winning six out of nine encounters, while RCB has won three. This final is the second meeting in a WPL final between these two teams. In 2024, RCB defeated Delhi Capitals by eight wickets to win their first title.
Probable Playing XIs
Royal Challengers Bangalore Women may include Grace Harris, Smriti Mandhana (Captain),Georgia Voll, Richa Ghosh, Radha Yadav, Nadine de Klerk, Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Lauren Bell, and Sayali Satghare.
Delhi Capitals Women are expected to field Lizelle Lee, Shafali Verma, Laura Wolvaardt, Jemimah Rodrigues (Captain), Niki Prasad, Marizanne Kapp, Chinelle Henry, Sneh Rana, Nallapureddy Charani, Minnu Mani, and Nandani Sharma.
These lineups combine experience, explosive batting, and versatile bowling, which will make for a thrilling final.
Key Players to Watch
- Smriti Mandhana will lead RCB from the top order and set the tone for the innings.
- Grace Harris offers all-round strength with both bat and ball.
- Nadine de Klerk can turn the game with her seam bowling and lower-order hitting.
- Shafali Verma provides DC with fast starts as an aggressive opener.
- Lizelle Lee anchors the innings and can accelerate at any stage.
These players are expected to play decisive roles in determining the winner.
Pitch and Conditions
The Kotambi Stadium pitch provides a fair contest between bat and ball. The surface favors batters early on but offers opportunities for bowlers as the match progresses. Dew in night matches may favor teams chasing totals. The toss and initial bowling strategy will therefore be crucial for both sides.
Significance of the Final
The final is a rematch of the 2024 title game, which adds extra excitement for fans. RCB aims to defend their championship, while Delhi Capitals hopes to claim their first WPL trophy. A win in this match could further strengthen women’s franchise cricket in India and inspire more young players.
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