WPL 2026: DC face RCB for another shot at trophy
What's the story
The 2026 Women's Premier League (WPL) final will see Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore clash in a highly anticipated showdown. The summit clash will take place at BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara, on February 5. While the Smriti Mandhana-led RCB eye their second title, DC will have another shot at the trophy after finishing as the runners-up in the last three seasons.
Conditions
Pitch, conditions, and streaming details
The Kotambi Stadium pitch has been balanced throughout the series, with an average first-innings score of around 160 runs. Dew could play a major role in the match, making it difficult for bowlers in the second innings. The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network and the JioHotstar (app and website) at 7:30pm IST.
DC
DC's star-studded line-up set for final
DC, led by Jemimah Rodrigues, are high on confidence with a stunning win over Gujarat Giants in the Eliminator. According to ESPNcricinfo, the Capitals have used only 13 players this year, the fewest for a side across four WPL seasons. Likely XI: Shafali Verma, Lizelle Lee (wicket-keeper), Laura Wolvaardt, Jemimah Rodrigues (captain), Marizanne Kapp, Chinelle Henry, Niki Prasad, Sneh Rana, Minnu Mani, Nandni Sharma, and Shree Charani.
RCB
RCB likely to remain unchanged
RCB's journey to the final has also been impressive, especially without Ellyse Perry. They replaced her with uncapped Indian fast bowler Sayali Satghare, who has become a key part of their seam attack. RCB, the first team to reach the playoffs this season, won six of their eight matches. Likely XI: Grace Harris, Smriti Mandhana (captain), Georgia Voll, Radha Yadav, Richa Ghosh (wicket-keeper), Nadine de Klerk, Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Sayali Satghare, Shreyanka Patil, and Lauren Bell.
Stats
A look at notable numbers
DC's Nandni Sharma is the second-highest wicket-taker this season with 16 scalps. She already has the most wickets for an Indian in a WPL season. Mandhana could finish as the highest run-scorer this season. With 290 runs, she is only behind Mumbai Indians' Harmanpreet Kaur (342) and Nat Sciver-Brunt (321). As mentioned, DC reached their fourth WPL final. They were the runners-up in the first three editions (2023-2025).