Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are set to take on Delhi Capitals (DC) in the ongoing WPL 2026 on January 24 in Vadodara. The Kotambi Stadium has been a happy hunting ground for RCB, as they are yet to lose any of the three games they have played here so far. The only unbeaten team of this season will look to extend their dominance with another win. Although Smriti Mandhana’s side have already sealed their playoff berth, one more victory will almost confirm their place in the final by ensuring a table-top finish.
Meanwhile, DC began their Vadodara leg with a win, defeating the defending champions, Mumbai Indians (MI), in their previous game. Skipper Jemimah Rodrigues led from the front with an unbeaten 51 to guide her team home. With an eye on the playoff spot, this becomes a must-win game for DC to strengthen their position in the race.
In WPL 2025, these two teams met at the same venue in Vadodara, where RCB emerged victorious. Smriti Mandhana starred in that match with 81 off 47 balls to lead the 142-run chase.
Standings
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 1st position, 5 matches – 5 wins, 10 points, NRR +1.882
Delhi Capitals: 4th position, 5 matches – 2 wins, 3 losses, 4 points, NRR -0.586
Head-to-head record in the WPL
Overall: 8 matches – RCB 3, DC 5
At Kotambi Stadium: 1 match – RCB 1, DC 0
RCB’s record at Kotambi Stadium: 3 matches – Won 3
DC’s record at Kotambi Stadium: 4 matches – Won 3, Lost 1
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What happened in the first meeting of this edition?
DC were asked to bat first and found themselves in deep trouble after slipping to 10/4 in just 1.3 overs. Shafali Verma then played a sensible and mature knock of 62 off 41, supported by Sneh Rana (22 off 22), Niki Prasad (12 off 14), and Lucy Hamilton (36 off 19). Despite the early collapse, DC managed to post 166 in 20 overs.
For RCB, Lauren Bell and Sayali Satghare were outstanding with three wickets each, while Prema Rawat picked up two and Nadine de Klerk claimed one.
In reply, Grace Harris failed to provide a brisk start, but skipper Smriti Mandhana (96 off 61) and Georgia Voll (unbeaten 54 off 42) stitched a match-winning 142-run partnership for the second wicket. RCB eventually won by eight wickets with 10 balls to spare, with Smriti named Player of the Match.
Players to watch out for
RCB – Sayali Satghare
Sayali Satghare has been a key performer for RCB in the last two games, picking up six wickets at an economy of 6.85. She has formed an effective new-ball pair with Lauren Bell, dismantling opposition batting line-ups early. Against DC, the duo shared four wickets, while against the Gujarat Giants, they picked up three. More than swing, Satghare’s wicket-to-wicket line and length have worked in her favour. Unsold at the WPL 2026 mega auction, she joined as Ellyse Perry’s replacement and has delivered in both matches so far.
DC – N Shree Charani
N Shree Charani impressed against MI in the last game by breaking the backbone of their batting with three wickets, dismissing Harmanpreet Kaur, Nicola Carey, and Amanjot Kaur. Although she conceded 20 runs in her first two overs, she made a strong comeback in the next two, picking up all three wickets for just 13 runs. She adjusted her line, length, and pace effectively. So far this season, Charani has taken seven wickets in five games at an economy of 9.21.
Probable Playing XIs
RCB
Grace Harris, Smriti Mandhana (C), Georgia Voll, Gautami Naik, Richa Ghosh (WK), Radha Yadav, Nadine de Klerk, Sayali Satghare, Shreyanka Patil, Arundhati Reddy, Lauren Bell
DC
Shafali Verma, Lizelle Lee (wk), Jemimah Rodrigues (c), Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp, Niki Prasad, Minnu Mani, Sneh Rana, Lucy Hamilton, Shree Charani, Nandni Sharma
