Delhi Capitals Women

DC vs RCB WPL 2026 Final: One Rivalry. One Trophy.

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“When momentum meets legacy, history gets written.”

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League Stage Clash: DC Hand RCB Their First Loss

Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru lit up the Women’s Premier League 2026 with one of the season’s most defining league-stage encounters in Vadodara on January 23–24.

RCB, unbeaten in five matches and sitting comfortably at the top, were rocked when DC chose to field first and bowled them out for just 109 runs in 20 overs.

Nandani Sharma starred with the ball, claiming 3/26, while Marizanne Kapp, Minnu Mani, and Chinelle Henry chipped in with two wickets each. Smriti Mandhana fought alone with a composed 38 off 34 balls, but eight RCB batters failed to reach double digits.

The Turning Point for Delhi Capitals

Chasing a modest target, DC played with calm authority. Laura Wolvaardt remained unbeaten on 42, Jemimah Rodrigues added 24, and Marizanne Kapp finished the job with a boundary.

The seven-wicket win not only snapped RCB’s winning streak but also pushed Delhi Capitals to second place on the points table, signalling a serious title push.

Road to the WPL 2026 Final

RCB, under Mandhana’s leadership, continued their dominance and finished the league stage with six wins from eight matches, securing a direct entry into the final.

Delhi Capitals, meanwhile, showed grit and growth. After early inconsistencies, they defeated Gujarat Giants in the Eliminator to book their third consecutive WPL final. Despite reaching multiple finals, DC entered 2026 still chasing their maiden title.

WPL 2026 Final: All Eyes on Vadodara

On February 5, 2026, the BCA Stadium in Vadodara set the stage for the ultimate showdown. RCB won the toss and opted to bowl first.

Delhi Capitals responded with intent, posting a formidable 203/5. In reply, RCB raced to 80/1 after eight overs, with Smriti Mandhana and Georgia Voll leading a confident chase.

With RCB chasing 204, the final perfectly captured the unpredictability and intensity that defines the WPL.

What This Final Truly Means

For Delhi Capitals, this match represents redemption and the chance to finally lift their first WPL trophy. For Royal Challengers Bengaluru, it’s about cementing dominance and claiming a second title after their 2024 triumph.

One rivalry. Two narratives. Ninety minutes that decide everything.

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Deeya Yadav: WPL’s Youngest Firecracker

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Deeya Yadav

At just 16, Deeya Yadav isn’t waiting for the future — she’s batting in it.

 

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Auction Breakthrough: History Made

Sixteen-year-old Haryana batter Deeya Yadav etched her name into Indian women’s cricket history when
Delhi Capitals picked her at the WPL 2026 mega auction on November 27, 2025, in New Delhi.
Bought at her base price of INR 10 lakh, Deeya became the youngest player ever signed in WPL history,
second only to Shabnam Shakil in age at acquisition.

She entered a star-studded DC dressing room featuring Shafali Verma, Laura Wolvaardt, Jemimah Rodrigues,
Sneh Rana, and Lizelle Lee. Shafali Verma, her Haryana senior and role model, welcomed her warmly on Instagram,
calling the moment a proud one.

 

Rapid Rise Through Domestic Cricket

Deeya’s rise has been swift and fearless. She first grabbed nationwide attention in 2023 with a stunning
213* off 125 balls against Tripura in the U15 One-Day Cup at Raipur — an innings that showcased raw power, confidence,
and maturity well beyond her age.

By January 2025, she was fast-tracked into Haryana’s U-23 and senior teams. During the
2025–26 domestic season, she flourished at No. 3, scoring 298 runs in eight T20 innings at an average of
59.50 and a strike rate of 128.

In the U23 T20 Trophy, she added another feather to her cap with 255 runs in nine innings, including a crucial
33 off 16 balls in the final that helped Haryana defeat Delhi and lift the title.

 

WPL Debut Day: January 20, 2026

On January 20, 2026, Deeya Yadav officially stepped onto the WPL stage, making her debut for
Delhi Capitals against Mumbai Indians. She replaced Mennu Mani in the playing XI as DC elected to bowl first.

Her debut came just days after her U23 triumph, underlining her seamless transition from junior cricket to the elite level.
She had earlier attended trials for Royal Challengers Bengaluru and UP Warriorz, but Delhi Capitals emerged
as the perfect fit — thrilling fans eager to witness her Shafali-like fearlessness.

 

Playing Style & Cricketing Ambitions

Known for audacious stroke-making and calmness under pressure, Deeya draws inspiration from
Shafali Verma’s aggression and MS Dhoni’s composure. Playing alongside Verma for Haryana and North Zone over the
past three years has sharpened her attacking mindset.

Delhi Capitals CEO Sunil Gupta praised her ability to adapt quickly at the senior level, noting her impressive displays
in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy. Deeya now looks forward to learning from international stars like
Wolvaardt and Rodrigues while chasing her ultimate dream — wearing the India jersey.

 

Why Deeya Yadav Is One to Watch

From honing her skills during the pandemic in Haryana to shining under the bright lights of the WPL,
Deeya Yadav’s journey is just beginning. At only 16, she represents the fearless new generation of Indian women’s cricket —
talented, confident, and unafraid of the big stage.

If her debut is any indication, the WPL hasn’t just found a youngster — it has found its next headline-maker.

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GG vs DC WPL 2026: Giants Strike Early as Capitals Search for Momentum

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WPL 

“New season, new captain, same high-voltage WPL drama.”

 

The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 continued its thrilling start as Gujarat Giants (GG) faced Delhi Capitals (DC) in Match 4 at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy – Cricket Ground in Navi Mumbai, India, on January 10, 2026. With early momentum at stake, both teams entered the contest under very different circumstances.

Delhi Capitals, led by new skipper Jemimah Rodrigues, won the toss and chose to bowl first. It was a confident decision after DC’s heavy 50-run loss to Mumbai Indians in their opening match. Gujarat Giants, on the other hand, arrived with confidence after securing a 10-run win over UP Warriorz, looking to strengthen their early position on the points table.

Match Highlights

The pitch was largely batter-friendly, with straight boundaries measuring around 66 meters and square boundaries close to 56 meters. However, the lack of early dew allowed bowlers some control in the Powerplay. DC’s pacers made early inroads, maintaining an economy rate of nearly six runs per over.

A key early moment came when Rajeshwari Gayakwad dismissed Shafali Verma, breaking Gujarat’s rhythm and giving DC much-needed momentum. Despite the setback, Beth Mooney and Harleen Deol steadied the innings, continuing their reputation as one of GG’s most reliable partnerships.

Final Scores

Gujarat Giants (GG) batted first after Delhi Capitals (DC) won the toss and chose to bowl at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy on January 10, 2026. GG reaching 209 all out. DC’s chase stood at around 78/1 after 9 overs in ongoing updates.

WPL

Team Context & Turning Points

Delhi Capitals kept their bowling attack unchanged, showing faith in their lineup despite the opening loss. Jemimah Rodrigues, captaining DC for the first time, remained optimistic, highlighting flashes of brilliance within the squad. Chinelle Henry’s power-hitting ability added depth to DC’s middle order, keeping the chase alive.

Gujarat Giants leaned on recent history for confidence. In WPL 2025, GG defeated DC by five wickets, with Harleen Deol winning Player of the Match—a reminder of GG’s growing dominance in crucial moments. Although DC still held a slight edge in head-to-head records, Gujarat’s current form shifted the balance.

Key Performances

  • Harleen Deol & Beth Mooney controlled the innings after early pressure

  • Rajeshwari Gayakwad set the tone with early breakthroughs

  • Jemimah Rodrigues’ captaincy debut added leadership stability

  • Pitch conditions later favored batters, hinting at a competitive finish

This early-season clash highlighted the intensity of WPL 2026, where every match carries playoff implications. With Gujarat Giants extending their strong start and Delhi Capitals still searching for rhythm, the tournament has already begun delivering high-stakes drama.

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