WPL 2026 was the fourth season of the Women’s Premier League — and the best one yet. Played from 9 January to 5 February 2026 across Navi Mumbai and Vadodara, the season ended with Royal Challengers Bengaluru chasing down 204 against Delhi Capitals in the final: the highest successful run chase in WPL history, and Delhi’s fourth consecutive final defeat. If you followed the WPL 2026 buzz through the season, you already know this was the year the league truly arrived.
WPL 2026 at a Glance
The season was moved earlier than usual — 9 January to 5 February 2026 — to avoid clashing with the men’s T20 World Cup starting 7 February. Five teams played 22 matches (20 league + Eliminator + Final) over 28 days.
Matches were split between two venues: DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai hosted 11 matches (9–17 January), and BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara hosted 11 including the playoffs (19 January–5 February). Squads had been finalised at a mega auction on 27 November 2025 in New Delhi, with 277 players in the pool.
WPL 2026 Points Table: How the League Stage Finished
RCB dominated the league stage, finishing top with six wins from eight matches and going directly to the final:
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru — 6 wins, 2 losses (qualified directly for final)
- Gujarat Giants — 5 wins, 3 losses
- Delhi Capitals — 4 wins, 4 losses
- Mumbai Indians — 3 wins, 5 losses
- UP Warriorz — 2 wins, 6 losses
In the Eliminator, Delhi Capitals beat Gujarat Giants by 7 wickets to set up a fourth final appearance — and a fourth meeting with the team that finished above them.
WPL 2026 Final: Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
The final, played on 5 February 2026 at Vadodara, produced the greatest run chase the league has seen. Delhi Capitals, batting first, posted 203/4 — the highest first-innings total in a WPL final — built on Jemimah Rodrigues’ 57 off 37 balls, with contributions from Laura Wolvaardt (44) and Lizelle Lee (37) and a late burst from Chinelle Henry (35* off 15).
What followed was extraordinary. RCB’s openers Smriti Mandhana (87 off 41) and Georgia Voll (79) put on 165 for the second wicket — the highest partnership in WPL history — and RCB reached 204/4 with two balls to spare, winning by 6 wickets. Mandhana was Player of the Match, and the 204 chase remains the highest successful run chase in the league’s history.
For Delhi, it was a fourth straight final defeat: to Mumbai Indians in 2023 and 2025, to RCB in 2024 and now again in 2026.
WPL 2026 Orange Cap and Purple Cap
- Orange Cap (most runs): Smriti Mandhana (RCB) — 377 runs, capped by her match-winning 87 in the final.
- Purple Cap (most wickets): Sophie Devine (Gujarat Giants) — 17 wickets; she was also named Player of the Series (MVP) for her all-round campaign. Delhi’s Nandni Sharma also took 17 wickets, including a hat-trick, and was named Emerging Player of the Season.
Key Moments of the Season
Beyond the final, the season had several landmark moments. Nat Sciver-Brunt’s unbeaten 100 for Mumbai Indians against RCB at Vadodara on 26 January was the first and only century in WPL history. The mega auction in November 2025 reshaped squads, with franchises building around young Indian talent. And Sophie Devine’s all-round brilliance for Gujarat — 17 wickets plus heavy runs — carried the Giants to second place and reminded everyone why she remains one of the great T20 all-rounders.
The season also confirmed a shift: RCB and MI now share the record of two WPL titles each, while Delhi’s inability to win finals has become the league’s defining narrative. Relive the best moments through WPL 2026 final highlights — Mandhana and Voll’s record stand is worth watching again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won WPL 2026?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won WPL 2026, beating Delhi Capitals by 6 wickets in the final on 5 February 2026 at Vadodara. It was RCB’s second title after 2024.
What was the score in the WPL 2026 final?
Delhi Capitals scored 203/4 in 20 overs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru chased it down, reaching 204/4 with two balls to spare — the highest successful run chase in WPL history.
Who won the Orange Cap in WPL 2026?
Smriti Mandhana of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, with 377 runs — including a Player of the Match 87 in the final.
Who won the Purple Cap in WPL 2026?
Sophie Devine of Gujarat Giants with 17 wickets. She was also named Player of the Series for her all-round performances.
When was WPL 2026 played?
From 9 January to 5 February 2026 — earlier than usual, to avoid clashing with the men’s T20 World Cup. Matches were played in Navi Mumbai and Vadodara.
How many times have Delhi Capitals lost the WPL final?
Four times — in every season so far: 2023 and 2025 to Mumbai Indians, 2024 and 2026 to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. They are the only team to reach all four WPL finals.
Final Thoughts
WPL 2026 set a new standard for the league: a record final, a record chase, a first century, and a worthy champion in RCB. Delhi Capitals’ wait goes on, Mumbai Indians will be hungry after a rare quiet season, and the next mega-cycle of auctions means 2027 could be even more competitive. For full context on the league’s history, see our complete WPL guide and the all-time winners list.