The Queen is Back on the Throne: How RCB Conquered the WPL 2026
By Crick tv
Updated: Feb 06, 2026 10:57 AM
Let’s be real—waking up this morning felt different, didn't it? The coffee tastes better, the air feels lighter, and that Red and Gold jersey hanging in your wardrobe suddenly looks a lot shinier.
If you were glued to your screens last night or lucky enough to be screaming your lungs out at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara, you witnessed history repeating itself in the most beautiful way possible. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are the WPL 2026 Champions, lifting their second title and proving that the "Class of 2024" wasn't a one-hit wonder. They are a dynasty in the making.
Here’s a breakdown of the night the "Eee Sala Cup Namdu" chant turned into reality—again.
The Fortress in Vadodara
The setting couldn't have been more dramatic. February 5th, Thursday night, under the lights of Kotambi. We were up against a familiar foe: the Delhi Capitals. History has a funny way of looping, doesn’t it? Just like in 2024, it was Smriti Mandhana vs. the Capitals in the grand finale. And just like 2024, the result was exactly what the doctor ordered.
DC deserves credit; reaching four consecutive finals is no joke. But there is something about RCB in a high-pressure chase that just feels… inevitable.
The Match: Cool Heads, Hot Bats
Winning the toss and restricting DC was the first battle won. The bowlers were clinical. You have to talk about the new additions—Lauren Bell justifyied every rupee of that auction price tag, swinging the ball upfront and keeping the dangerous Shafali Verma quiet. And of course, Shreyanka Patil, the heartbeat of this bowling attack, spun a web that DC’s middle order just couldn't untangle.
But the real magic happened in the chase.
There was a wobble (it wouldn't be RCB without a little heart-rate spike, right?), but the composure was elite. Smriti Mandhana led from the front, playing with the maturity of a captain who has been here, done that. And then there’s Ellyse Perry. At this point, we should probably name a stand after her. Whenever the required run rate crept up, she found a boundary with that trademark elegance.
Finishing it off by 6 wickets wasn't just a win; it was a statement. We didn't scrape through; we walked through the front door.
Why This Win Hits Different
The 2024 win was about breaking the curse. It was emotional; it was relief.
The 2026 win? This was about dominance.
After Mumbai Indians snatched the trophy in 2025, doubts started creeping in. Was 2024 a fluke? Can this core squad do it again?
Last night answered everything. We topped the table in the league stage, bypassed the Eliminator, and finished the job professionally. This wasn't a team hoping to win; this was a team that knew they would win.
The Heroes of 2026
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The Captain: Smriti has evolved into arguably the best tactical brain in the league. Her field placements against Jemimah Rodrigues were pure chess.
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The Powerhouse: Grace Harris and Richa Ghosh. Having that kind of firepower in the middle order is a luxury few teams have.
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The Crowd: To the fans who traveled to Vadodara and turned the stadium Red—you are the 12th player. The roar when the winning runs were hit probably registered on a seismograph in Bengaluru.
What's Next?
The party is just getting started. If the celebrations in 2024 were wild, expect Bengaluru to be gridlocked for a week this time.
So, wear that jersey with pride today. Tell your colleagues, your neighbors, and that one friend who supports Mumbai: The Cup is Home.
Hail the Queens! #PlayBold #WPL2026Champions #RCB