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As of January 18, 2026, the cricketing world is abuzz with Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) flawless run in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026. Captain Smriti Mandhana’s explosive 96 against Delhi Capitals (DC) in Match 11 has gone viral, with fans hailing her as the season’s standout performer. Reactions poured in overnight, praising her 13 fours and three sixes, while RCB’s dominant eight-wicket victory keeps them atop the points table. Meanwhile, UP Warriorz’s back-to-back wins over Mumbai Indians, including a 22-run triumph in Match 10 led by Meg Lanning and Phoebe Litchfield, are also trending.
Mumbai’s fielding woes, with 10 dropped catches in five games, have sparked debates on defending champions’ form. Phoebe Litchfield leads the Orange Cap race, and Nandini Sharma tops the Purple Cap with eight wickets.
Smriti Mandhana and Georgia Voll Shine as RCB Maintain Perfect Start with Fourth Consecutive Win in WPL 2026
In a commanding display of batting prowess, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) extended their unbeaten streak to four matches in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026, dismantling Delhi Capitals (DC) by eight wickets at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai on January 17. Captain Smriti Mandhana led from the front with a scintillating 96 off 61 balls, falling just short of a century, while Australian all-rounder Georgia Voll played the perfect foil with an unbeaten 54 off 42 deliveries.
Their 142-run partnership for the second wicket turned the chase of 167 into a stroll, with RCB reaching the target in 18.2 overs.DC, batting first after losing the toss, posted 166 thanks to a fighting half-century from Shafali Verma. However, RCB’s bowlers, including Nadine de Klerk (who claimed key wickets) and Lauren Bell, kept the scoring in check on a pitch that offered something for both seam and spin. Mandhana then unleashed a barrage of boundaries—13 fours and three sixes—dominating the DC attack. Voll, making an impact on her WPL debut for RCB, accelerated late with five fours and two sixes, ensuring a comfortable finish.
This victory propels RCB to the top of the standings with a superior net run rate, showcasing their balanced squad and tactical acumen under Mandhana’s leadership. DC, meanwhile, slump to the bottom after their second loss in three games, highlighting their struggles with consistency.
Teams in Action
The clash featured two powerhouse franchises: Royal Challengers Bangalore Women (RCB-W) versus Delhi Capitals Women (DC-W). RCB opted to bowl first, a decision that paid dividends as they restricted DC before cruising in the chase.
Past Match Results
Here’s a table summarizing all completed matches in WPL 2026 so far, leading up to this thriller:
| Match No. | Date | Venue | Teams | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jan 9 | Navi Mumbai | Mumbai Indians vs RCB | RCB won by 3 wickets (MI 154/6, RCB 157/7) |
| 2 | Jan 10 (Afternoon) | Navi Mumbai | UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants | GG won by 10 runs (UPW 197/8, GG 207/4) |
| 3 | Jan 10 (Evening) | Navi Mumbai | Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals | MI won by 50 runs (MI 195/4, DC 145) |
| 4 | Jan 11 | Navi Mumbai | Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Giants | GG won by 4 runs (DC 205/5, GG 209) |
| 5 | Jan 12 | Navi Mumbai | RCB vs UP Warriorz | RCB won |
| 6 | Jan 13 | Navi Mumbai | Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Giants | MI won |
| 7 | Jan 14 | Navi Mumbai | UP Warriorz vs Delhi Capitals | UPW won |
| 8 | Jan 15 | Navi Mumbai | RCB vs Mumbai Indians | RCB won |
| 9 | Jan 16 | Navi Mumbai | Gujarat Giants vs RCB | RCB won by 32 runs (GG 150, RCB 182/7) |
| 10 | Jan 17 (Afternoon) | Navi Mumbai | UP Warriorz vs Mumbai Indians | UPW won by 22 runs (UPW 187/8, MI 165/6) |
| 11 | Jan 17 (Evening) | Navi Mumbai | Delhi Capitals vs RCB | RCB won by 8 wickets (DC 166, RCB 169/2) |
RCB’s flawless run includes tight victories and dominant displays, setting them apart early in the season.
Upcoming Matches
With the league heating up, here’s a table of the next few fixtures as teams jockey for playoff spots (schedule subject to confirmation):
| Match No. | Date | Venue | Teams |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Jan 18 (Evening) | Navi Mumbai | Gujarat Giants vs Delhi Capitals |
| 13 | Jan 19 (Evening) | Vadodara | Gujarat Giants vs Royal Challengers Bangalore |
| 14 | Jan 20 (Evening) | Vadodara | Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians |
| 15 | Jan 21 (Evening) | Vadodara | UP Warriorz vs Royal Challengers Bangalore |
| 16 | Jan 22 (Evening) | Vadodara | Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Giants |
The action shifts to Vadodara after January 17, promising fresh challenges on new pitches. The tournament culminates with the Eliminator on February 3 and the Final on February 5.
WPL Teams Overview
Here’s a comprehensive table detailing the five WPL franchises, including ownership, initial franchise purchase price (from the 2022 bid), current squad size, and key players:
| Team Name | Owner | Franchise Purchase Price (INR Cr) | Total Players | Key Players |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) | United Spirits Ltd (Diageo) | 901 | 16 | Smriti Mandhana (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Ellyse Perry, Shreyanka Patil, Georgia Voll, Nadine de Klerk |
| Mumbai Indians (MI) | Indiawin Sports Pvt Ltd (Reliance Industries) | 912.99 | 16 | Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Hayley Matthews, Amelia Kerr, Shabnim Ismail |
| Delhi Capitals (DC) | JSW GMR Cricket Pvt Ltd | 810 | 16 | Jemimah Rodrigues (c), Shafali Verma, Annabel Sutherland, Marizanne Kapp, Laura Wolvaardt |
| Gujarat Giants (GG) | Adani Sportsline Pvt Ltd | 1289 | 18 | Beth Mooney (c), Ashleigh Gardner, Phoebe Litchfield, Deandra Dottin, Harleen Deol |
| UP Warriorz (UPW) | Capri Global Holdings Pvt Ltd | 757 | 17 | Alyssa Healy (c), Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, Meg Lanning, Tahlia McGrath |
These squads blend international stars with emerging Indian talent, making for an exciting competition.
WPL Business Model
The Women’s Premier League operates on a robust franchise-based model overseen by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). At its core is a lucrative media rights deal: Viacom18 secured broadcasting rights for five seasons (2023-2027) for ₹951 crore, providing a steady revenue stream.
This central revenue pool, combined with sponsorships from brands like TATA and others, is distributed with 80% going directly to the five franchises, helping cover operational costs and player salaries.Franchises were acquired through a 2022 auction, with high bids reflecting investor confidence—Gujarat Giants fetched the highest at ₹1289 crore.
Teams generate additional income through ticket sales, merchandise, and local sponsorships, while the BCCI handles league-wide marketing. Player auctions ensure competitive balance, with a salary cap promoting parity. The model emphasizes profitability, with teams nearing break-even thanks to rising viewership (over 50 million in the first season) and global interest in women’s cricket. Future growth includes expanding to more teams and international broadcasting deals, positioning WPL as a sustainable powerhouse in sports entertainment.
Where to Catch the Action
All WPL 2026 matches are streamed live on the OTT platform Jio Hotstar, with telecast available on the Star Sports Network. Fans can tune in for high-octane cricket from the comfort of their homes.As RCB continues their rampage, the question remains: Can anyone stop them? With stars like Mandhana firing on all cylinders, the rest of the league has its work cut out. Stay tuned for more updates as WPL 2026 unfolds!
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