Smriti Mandhananarrowly missed out on a maiden Women’s Premier League century, but her superb 96 guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to a dominant eight-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals, keeping them unbeaten after four matches at the top of the WPL 2026 points table at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy.
Chasing 167, RCB reached the target with ten balls to spare. Mandhana fell just four runs short of becoming the season’s first centurion, scoring 96 off 61 deliveries.
Earlier, after winning the toss, Mandhana opted to bowl. RCB struck early, with Lauren Bell removing Lizee Lee and Laura Wolvaardt in the opening over. Sayali Satghare then dismissed Jemimah Rodrigues and Marizanne Kapp in successive deliveries, leaving Delhi struggling at 10 for 4.
Shafali Verma counter-attacked with a brilliant 62 off 41 balls, adding 59 for the fifth wicket with Niki Prasad (12). Sneh Rana contributed 22, and debutant Lucy Hamilton scored a quick 36 off 19 balls. Delhi were eventually bowled out for 166 on the final ball, with Bell taking 3/26, Satghare 3/27, and Prema Rawat 2/16.
