Chasing a daunting target of 204 against Delhi Capitals (DC) in Vadodara, Mandhana’s composure and controlled aggression proved decisive as RCB wrapped up the final with a six-wicket win.
RCB coach reveals Smriti Mandhana played despite serious illness
RCB head coach Malolan Rangarajan later revealed the extent of Mandhana’s struggle and described it as a “huge, huge flu.” After the win, Rangarajan said the captain was suffering from high fever but never showed it.
“She was seriously ill,” Rangarajan explained. “But she showed up and didn’t let on for a second. When I spoke to her earlier, she just said there was no problem and she would be there. That’s her work ethic.”
The revelation only added to the magnitude of Mandhana’s innings, which came under immense pressure on the biggest stage of the season.
A masterclass in hunting under pressure
Even by Mandhana’s lofty standards, the finale was a lesson in how to pace a high-stakes chase. She started cautiously, playing second fiddle to the Australian batsman Georgia volbefore a dramatic switch is made after the power play.
At the end of the fifth over, Mandhana was just 6 off 5 balls. What followed was pure dominance. She dismantled Delhi’s spin attack with surgical precision, exploiting angles and field placements with ease. As RCB’s only left-handed batsman, Mandhana targeted the left-arm spinner Sree Charanineutralizing a bowler who had been very effective throughout the Vadodara leg.
Her ability to send similar deliveries to different parts of the ground left the opposition scrambling for answers.
Delhi Capitals’ bowlers have run out of answers
Veteran campaigner Sneh Rana also struggled to contain Mandhana, who seemed to be in complete control. RCB hit at least one boundary in every over, underscoring the relentless pressure applied during the chase.
Mandhana’s confidence was summed up by her daring strokeplay, walking backwards towards the loft spinners inside out and casually stepping over her stumps to find holes at will. She finished the tournament as the leading run-scorer and amassed 377 runs in WPL 2026.
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“Smriti saved one of her best innings for the final”: RCB coach
Rangarajan credited Mandhana’s preparation and evolving mindset for her latest exploits. He noted that her unbeaten 54 against UP Warriorz (UPW) in the final league match marked a turning point, combining fast pace with consistency.
‘She saved one of her best innings for the final’ Rangarajan said. “She seemed completely in control and knew exactly where and when to attack.”
Behind the scenes, Mandhana’s relentless pursuit of improvement was noticeable. Described as a “nerd” she constantly adapts her technique to her percussion, always looking for marginal gains. That attention to detail, coupled with calm leadership, set the tone for RCB’s title-winning campaign.
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This article was first published on WomenCricket.coma Cricket Times company.
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