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If there were any lingering whispers about Smriti Mandhana faltering on the biggest stage, they were emphatically put to rest in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 final. Battling a severe bout of flu, Mandhana produced one of the finest innings of her career, leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB to their second WPL title with a scintillating 87 off just 41 balls.
Chasing a daunting target of 204 against Delhi Capitals (DC) in Vadodara, Mandhana’s composure and controlled aggression proved decisive, as RCB sealed the final with a six-wicket victory.
RCB coach reveals Smriti Mandhana played despite severe illness
RCB head coach Malolan Rangarajan later revealed the extent of Mandhana’s struggle, describing it as a “massive, massive flu.” Speaking after the triumph, Rangarajan said the captain had been suffering from a high fever but never once let it show.
“She was seriously unwell,” Rangarajan explained. “But she turned up and didn’t show it for even one second. When I spoke to her earlier, she just said there was no problem and that she’d 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 grandest stage of the season.
A masterclass in chasing under pressure
Even by Mandhana’s lofty standards, the final was a lesson in how to pace a high-stakes chase. She began cautiously, playing second fiddle to Australian batter Georgia Voll, before dramatically shifting gears after the powerplay.
At the end of the fifth over, Mandhana was just 6 off 5 balls. What followed was sheer dominance. She dismantled Delhi’s spin attack with surgical precision, exploiting angles and field placements with ease. As RCB’s only left-handed batter, Mandhana targeted left-arm spinner Sree Charani, neutralising a bowler who had been highly 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 run out of answers
Experienced campaigner Sneh Rana also struggled to contain Mandhana, who appeared in complete control. RCB struck at least one boundary in every over, underlining the relentless pressure applied during the chase.
Mandhana’s confidence was summed up by her audacious stroke play – backing away to loft spinners inside out and casually stepping across her stumps to find gaps at will. She ended the tournament as the leading run-scorer, amassing 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 final heroics. He noted that her unbeaten 54 against UP Warriorz (UPW) in the final league game marked a turning point, blending high tempo with consistency.
“She saved one of her best innings for the final,” Rangarajan said. “She looked completely in control, knowing exactly where and when to attack.”
Behind the scenes, Mandhana’s relentless pursuit of improvement stood out. Described as a “nerd” about her batting, she constantly tweaks her technique, always searching for marginal gains. That attention to detail, coupled with calm leadership, set the tone for RCB’s title-winning campaign.
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
