Fans react as Smriti Mandhana’s batting masterclass steers RCB to victory over DC in WPL 2026

A sublime captain’s knock Smriti Mandhana guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women to a dominant eight-wicket win Delhi Capitals Women in match 11 of the Eredivisie Women 2026 to the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy. Chasing a target of 167, RCB Women wrapped up the match in 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 takes Delhi Capitals to a competitive total after early setbacks

The Capitals got off to a nightmare start after being asked to bat, slumping to 10 for 4 inside just 1.3 overs. The top order was torn apart as Lizelle Lee, Laura Wolviard, Jemima RodriusesAnd Marizanne Kapp left in quick succession, leaving the capitals in complete disarray within the power play.

Amid the early chaos, Shafali Verma At the top she held her ground and bravely counterattacked to stop the slide. Shafali showed maturity alongside her trademark aggression, compiling a crucial 62 off 41 balls, keeping DC competitive despite the early damage.

Support arrived late in the innings as Sweet Rana steadied the ship with a controlled blow into the center overhangs, while Lucia Hamilton provided the late flowering. Hamilton’s explosive 36 off just 19 deliveries took Delhi Capitals to a respectable 166 total, a total that seemed unlikely after their dramatic early collapse.

RCB’s bowlers shared the spoils with Lauren Bell leads the attack by figures of 3 for 26. Sayali Satghare also impressed with three wickets while Prema Rawat was economical and effective in the middle overs.

Smriti Mandhana’s brilliant batting seals the deal for RCB

In reply, RCB Women lost Grace Harris asked, but that only gave Mandhana complete control of the chase. The left-hander could time the ball effortlessly, finding gaps with ease and punishing anything loose, anchoring the innings with supreme authority.

She found an ideal partner in it Georgia volwho complemented her captain with a fluent 50 off 41 balls. The duo built a match-defining partnership and took the match away from Delhi Capitals well before the final overs.

Mandhana was eventually dismissed for 96 off 61 balls, hitting 13 fours and three sixes. Richa Ghosh added the finishing touches with a quick cameo. RCB completed the chase in 18.2 overs with 8 wickets in hand.

SEE ALSO: WPL 2026: Lauren Bell dismisses Lizelle Lee and Laura Wolvaardt in fiery opening spell during DC vs RCB clash

Here’s how fans reacted:

Less than a hundred, but MILES ahead of the game. 👑🔥

Smriti Mandhana, impressive as ever. ❤️🔥🔥#Playfat #OurRCB #WPL2026 #Dcvrcb pic.twitter.com/86jnCsTra4

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) January 17, 2026

HEARTBREAK FOR SMRITI Mandhana. 💔

– 96 (61) with 13 fours and 3 sixes. Missing a well-deserved hundred, she played exceptionally 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 heartbreaks of 2026 💔

Virat Kohli × Smriti Mandhana pic.twitter.com/d5eFOx1ceb

— Vivek (@Hailkohli18) January 17, 2026

WPL2026| DCvRCB
96… HEARTBREAKING YET BEAUTIFUL 💔

Smriti Mandhana is just 4 runs short of a deserved hundred 😭

A captain’s knock full of class, timing and control — one of the best in WPL 🫡

The crowd stands up.
Bow down, Smriti Mandhana pic.twitter.com/PnAo8TmJVP

— RX (@TheReal_RX) January 17, 2026

This wasn’t just a slap from Smriti Mandhana, this was a hard slap in the face to the haters pic.twitter.com/Zqd3R0UcEo

— Aarav (@kohli_pagluu) January 17, 2026

Smriti Mandhana haters, it’s time to apologize 🥶🔥 pic.twitter.com/W06kwfC6pB

— Pari (@BluntIndianGal) January 17, 2026

https://twitter.com/malixcavi7/status/2012580430235795895

Smriti Mandhana💔
Leads from the front for RCB

96 (61) | SR 157 | 13 fours, 3 sixes

• Misses a maiden WPL century by just 4 runs

• Becomes WPL’s all-time leading catcher (18) pic.twitter.com/FHBkmy26BN

— CricMahesh (@MAHESH_EDI7S) January 17, 2026

Second cup on the way for RCB 🤞❤️‍🔥

— 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 (@SteveRogers_Fan) January 17, 2026

RCB wins by 8 wickets 🌟
4/4 wins#WPL2026 pic.twitter.com/YP6ClZOmKZ

— 𝐑𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐡. (@cricket12craze) January 17, 2026

LAUREN BELL – TAKE A BOW 🫡

4-1-14-1 in the first match.
4-0-16-1 in second game.
4-0-29-3 in third game.
4-0-26-3 in the fourth game.

LAUREN BELL IS UNSTOPPABLE FOR RCB🔥 pic.twitter.com/D2F6ADeig0

— Indian cricket (@IPL2025Auction) January 17, 2026

READ also: Meg Lanning and Phoebe Litchfield buzz as UP Warriorz beat Mumbai Indians in WPL 2026

This article was first published on WomenCricket.coma Cricket Times company.