Four wins out of four matches rarely happen by accident, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s flawless run in the Navi Mumbai leg of the Women’s Premier League 2026 has been built on far more than just form. What has stood out most is how complete, composed and clear-headed this RCB side have looked under Smriti Mandhana.
The first and most striking factor has been the collective nature of their performances. Each match has thrown up a different hero. Nadine de Klerk set the tone early in the tournament with decisive all-round contributions. Grace Harris delivered a brutal powerplay assault when momentum was required. Radha Yadav surprised many with a mature, pressure-handling knock at No.5, while Mandhana herself capped the leg with a commanding 90-plus innings that underlined her authority at the top.
What truly separates RCB, however, is the balance between star power and role clarity. With the ball, they have been relentless. Lauren Bell has consistently struck early, exploiting swing with the new ball before adjusting cleverly at the death. Bell’s ability to mix seam movement with well-disguised slower deliveries has been particularly impactful. Add to that Shreyanka Patil’s control through the middle overs, timely contributions from the support cast, and RCB’s bowling unit has looked both adaptable and disciplined.
Selection calls, often the make-or-break point in franchise tournaments, have also worked in their favour. The management showed patience by backing Harris at the top, even when alternatives existed, trusting her explosive intent. Bringing in Prema Rawat at the right moment reinforced their belief in wrist spin as a match-winning option, while flexible use of the No.3 slot allowed them to plug gaps without panic.
Perhaps the most impressive element has been the leadership culture. Mandhana and the coaching group have empowered Indian players, encouraging responsibility rather than sheltering them. Radha’s promotion was not a gamble, but a reflection of domestic awareness and confidence in skill sets beyond labels.
Fielding remains the one area needing polish, but in every other department, RCB have looked settled, purposeful and fearless. As the tournament moves to Vadodara, they carry momentum and more importantly, a blueprint that already resembles that of champions.
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