WPL-4 final: RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana's purple patch continues with 1,000 WPL runs, Orange Cap and 2nd title

Smriti Mandhana shines as RCB wins the WPL title, scoring 1,000 runs and securing the Orange Cap this season.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) skipper Smriti Mandhana led the Red and Gold franchise to the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) title, securing the Orange Cap for most runs this season, completing 1,000 runs in the tournament and shattering plenty of records.

A dominant RCB made history, securing its second WPL title with a six-wicket win, while pulling off the highest successful run-chase in a women’s T20 tournament final.

Smriti came in clutch during the title clash, cracking a scintillating 41-ball 87 with 12 fours and three sixes at a strike rate of over 212. She also struck a 165-run partnership with Aussie star Georgia Voll, which is the highest in WPL history for any wicket.

Smriti Mandhana with Delhi Capitals captain Jemimah Rodrigues after the final | Photo Credit: Vijay Soneji

She finished the season as the top run-getter, scoring 377 runs in nine matches at an average of 53.85 and a strike rate of over 153, with three fifties. This is the second-best WPL season by a batter, next to Mumbai Indians (MI) star Nat Sciver Brunt’s monstrous 2025 season with 523 runs at an average of 65.38 and a strike rate of over 152 with five fifties.

She also joined the stalwarts Nat-Sciver, UP Warriorz skipper Meg Lanning, MI captain Harmanpreet Kaur and DC’s opener Shafali Verma as the fifth player to complete 1,000 WPL runs. She has made 1,023 runs in 35 matches at an average of 31.00 and a strike rate of 136.76 and seven fifties, with best score of 96.