Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s WPL 2026 clinical campaign
Contributions from key players
- Nadine de Klerk: The South African all-rounder was the heartbeat of the team and finished the competition phase on top Purple cap holder with 15 wickets. Her ice-cold 63* in the season opener defined RCB’s resilient spirit.
- Smriti Mandhana (Captain): With tactical growth and aggressive intent, Mandhana anchored the top spot, finishing as a top-five scorer and providing the leadership stability needed during mid-season wobbles.
- Lauren Bell: The English pacer was the ‘Powerplay Queen’, who finished the group stage with the most point balls (104) and provided the initial breakthroughs that allowed the spinners to dominate the middle overs.
- Grace Harris: Harris, the ultimate ‘X-Factor’, delivered a match-defining performance in the final league match against UPW, hitting 75 runs and taking 2 wickets to take top spot.
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RCB’s Road to the Finals in WPL 2026: All 8 Matches
The Royal Challengers enjoyed a high-intensity competitive campaign (6 wins, 2 losses), showing both dominant flair and the ability to win ‘ugly’ when necessary to finish first and qualify directly for the Grand Final.
Match 1: RCB vs Mumbai Indians (The Last-Ball Thriller): RCB started their campaign with a heartbreaking win. Chasing 155, the top order staggered to 75/5. Nadine de Klerk showed her world class pedigree hitting 18 runs in the final against Hayley Matthews to take a 3 wicket win on the very last ball.
Match 2: RCB vs UP Warriorz (The Spin Squeeze): The Scorchers style defensive bowling was on full display here. After posting a modest 148, the spin duo of Shreyanka Patil and Asha Sobhana strangled the Warriorz’s chase, conceding just 24 runs in the last five overs to secure a 12-run win.
Match 3: RCB vs Gujarat Giants (the dominant series): RCB’s third successive win was a masterclass in clinical hunting. Mandhana and Harris dismantled the Giants’ bowling attack with a 90-run partnership, reaching the target of 162 with 7 wickets and 15 balls to spare.
Match 4: RCB vs Delhi Capitals (First Leg Final): In a grueling battle for supremacy, RCB defeated Delhi in a low-scoring thriller. Lauren Bell’s opening punch (2/15) proved the difference as RCB successfully defended a total of less than 140 and confirmed their dominance as the team to beat in the first leg.
Match 5: RCB vs Gujarat Giants (Playoff Qualification): When the tournament moved to Vadodara, RCB became the first team to mathematically secure a playoff berth. They completed the double over the Giants with a comprehensive 40-run win, highlighted by a quick half-century from Sophie Devine.
Match 6: RCB vs Delhi Capitals (first major setback): Finally the undefeated streak came to an end. On a slow track, the RCB batting unit collapsed for just 109. The Capitals chased it down with ruthless efficiency, winning by 7 wickets and exposing a rare vulnerability in the RCB middle order.
Match 7: RCB vs Mumbai Indians (The Century Classic): In a high-octane encounter, RCB suffered their second straight defeat. Despite a brave, career-best 90 out Richa Ghoshthe team fell short of MI’s total of 200 runs, made possible by Nat Sciver-Brunt’s first-ever WPL century.
Match 8: RCB vs UP Warriorz (capture the direct spot in the final): In a “Winner Takes All” final league match, RCB performed under immense pressure. Nadine de Klerk previously produced a devastating 4/22 period to limit UPW Grace Harris hit 75 off just 37 balls to chase the total in 13.1 overs. This huge NRR boost secured the number 1 spot and a direct ticket to the final.
The big WPL 2026 final: RCB vs Delhi Capitals
By finishing first, RCB avoided the risky Eliminator, reflecting the Scorchers’ ability to peak at the right time. With five different “Player of the Match” winners across eight matches, RCB go into the 2026 Grand Final as the most balanced unit in the competition.
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This article was first published on WomenCricket.coma Cricket Times company.
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