Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) spinner Shreyanka Patil has stated that their 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) win is entirely devoted to captain Smriti Mandhana. Patil said the 29-year-old deserves it after what she has been through in recent months.
Although Mandhana could achieve tremendous success in the field of cricket, her personal life was in ruins. She was also to get married to a music composer Palash Muchhal in November although the same had been postponed a day before. It was announced on December 7 that the wedding was cancelled.
Shreyanka Patil dedicated the victory of the WPL 2026 of RCB to captain and head coach Malolan Rangarajan. She stated (via Cricketbuzz):
“Very special feeling and I would love to mention three people – number one Smriti because she has gone through a lot in last one and a half months. This win is very special. I would love to dedicate this win to her. Malo and Anya. Today is Anya’s son’s birthday – first year. I would love to wish him happy birthday. And again Malo – first time he’s head coach for the team and I think it’s a special win for all of us.”
The off-spinner was instrumental in RCB’s second title victory, finishing the 2026 season with 11 scalps in nine games at an average of 25, including a fifer. However, she struggled in the final, giving up 32 runs in two wicketless overs.
Smriti Mandhana is the WPL 2026 final Player of the Match
Smriti Mandhana entered the final against the Delhi Capitals and it rose to pressure to score a challenging target of 204. Following the loss of Grace Harris in the second over of the innings, the southpaw and Georgia Voll put up a 165-run partnership in the back as RCB re-entered the fray.
Mandhana made 87 of 41 deliveries, and Voll made 79 of 54 deliveries, 14 boundaries. The Royal Challengers maintained their composure to traverse the line in the last over with two balls to get. Mandhana was awarded with the Player of the Match due to her excellent performance.
