DC Coach Batty Calls WPL 2026 Final Loss Tough

Vadodara (Gujarat), February 6 :

Delhi Capitals (DC) women’s team coach Jonathan Batty said the WPL 2026 final loss against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) was “tough to take,” but he praised his team’s fight and effort. He also applauded Jemimah Rodrigues for her captaincy in her first season as DC skipper.

Delhi Capitals suffered another heartbreak in the Women’s Premier League, losing the final by six wickets. The team remains without a WPL title despite finishing runners-up in all four editions so far.

DC Scored 203 But Still Lost the Final

DC put up a huge total of 203/4 in 20 overs, the highest ever score in a WPL final. However, RCB chased the target successfully and won the match with two balls remaining.

Speaking after the match, Batty said DC came into the final with momentum after playing well in the eliminator. He added that the team batted brilliantly and posted a strong total on a good wicket.

Batty also gave full credit to RCB batters Smriti Mandhana and Georgia Voll for their match-winning partnership.

Batty Praises Jemimah Rodrigues’ Leadership

Jonathan Batty said he was extremely proud of Jemimah Rodrigues, who led the team for the first time in a WPL season. DC were captained by Meg Lanning in the previous three editions.

Batty said Jemimah handled pressure well after DC lost their first few games. He praised her energy, experience, decision-making, and batting contributions throughout the tournament.

He also said her leadership improved with every match and that she gave her best to the team this season.

Match Highlights: DC vs RCB WPL 2026 Final

RCB won the toss and chose to bowl first.

For DC:

Lizelle Lee scored 37 off 30
Shafali Verma scored 20 off 13
Jemimah Rodrigues played a captain’s knock of 57 off 37
Laura Wolvaardt scored 44 off 35
Chinelle Henry smashed 35* off 15

DC finished at 203/4.

In the chase, RCB lost Grace Harris early. But Smriti Mandhana and Georgia Voll dominated the innings.

Smriti Mandhana smashed 87 off 41
Georgia Voll scored 79 off 54

Their 165-run partnership crushed DC’s chances.

RCB eventually chased the total with contributions from:

Radha Yadav (12)*
Nadine de Klerk (7)*

Record-Breaking Chase

RCB’s chase of 204 became:

The highest successful chase in WPL final history
The highest successful chase in IPL and WPL finals combined
The first time a target above 175 was chased in any Women’s T20 final (league or international)