🏏WPL 2026: FINAL: DC W vs RCB W at Vadodara on 05/02/26🏏 - Page 4

Jemimah Rodrigues: It's better to lose the toss in such big games. We are going with the same team. We've kept it very simple, kept our plans simple. We played the Eliminator here, so we know what it's going to look like.

Smriti Mandhana: We'll like to field first today. That's been the trend in the tournament. We are playing with the same XI. (On the break) It's been brilliant. We had a good time off, the last 2-3 days we came back together and practised together. We've all had a chat about the challenge. Nothing changes for us today. The excitement level is high.

Teams:

Delhi Capitals Women (Playing XI): Lizelle Lee(w), Shafali Verma, Laura Wolvaardt, Jemimah Rodrigues(c), Marizanne Kapp, Chinelle Henry, Niki Prasad, Sneh Rana, Minnu Mani, Shree Charani, Nandani Sharma

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (Playing XI): Grace Harris, Smriti Mandhana(c), Georgia Voll, Richa Ghosh(w), Radha Yadav, Nadine de Klerk, Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Sayali Satghare, Shreyanka Patil, Lauren Bell

Jemimah Rodrigues: It's better to lose the toss in such big games. We are going with the same team. We've kept it very simple, kept our plans simple. We played the Eliminator here, so we know what it's going to like like.

Smriti Mandhana:We'd like to field first today. Of course, it's been a trend in the tournament, but having said that, on a good wicket, it's always good to know what you're going to chase. We're playing with the same XI what we played in the last match. (On the break and and playing the final) It's been brilliant, I feel. First 2-3 days, we all had a good time off. We didn't think a lot about cricket. And of course, in the last two or three days, we came back together, practised hard. And again, there's nice nerves, nice anxiousness, and nice excitement. And I feel you all have to embrace it. And we've all had a chat about it. And don't run away from it, just embrace it. (Different preparations for the final?) Well, I'm not sure that it's different. What's worked for us is keeping things as simple as we can. And I think nothing changes for us today as well. Everyone had that calm energy today. But of course, the excitement level is high. And for sure, I mean, we know that we have to turn up and play our best cricket.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women have won the toss and have opted to field

The team winning the toss has won 12 out of 16 WPL matches previously at Vadodara. In this season, RCB have won 2 and lost 2 matches, whereas DC have registered 4 wins from 5 games at the venue.

So, no big surprises at the toss. RCB may have contemplated bringing in a spinner for Arundhati Reddy, who has tailed off a bit, but they have stuck to a winning combination. DC did not have any such quandaries, and have kept the same eleven that has served them well for a few games now.

Mukul : "WPL finals day... my gut says RCB has the momentum, confidence and hunger to finally lift the trophy. But cricket has its own script on days like this...form, strength, and statistics can suddenly feel irrelevant. That's the beauty (and madness) of the game. Bring it on..."

Vihaan Ahlawat: "Been a DC fan since I was eight. Have had my heart broken in the final thrice in a row. Hope they can overcome the final hurdle this time. "

Lauren Bell: (On her maiden IPL season) I'm just trying to take it all in and just enjoy it. It's been very full on, but I've loved it. And, I'm really excited for tonight. Playing in franchise cricket, I'd actually have to be pretty adaptable and flexible and do what the team needs of you. It's been really good for me and it's a great experience playing with a different captain, different coach. (On her bowling this season) I think I'm just really glad that my powerplay stuff has been so good and I've been able to provide for the team and put in performances. I'm really happy with my control, which is something that I've worked really hard over the last one or two years. So, I'm just really happy with it.

Pitch Report: Pitch number five again, same as the Eliminator. 54m and 58m square boundaries, with a 67m hit straight down the ground. There is not as much grass in and around the cracks as the other day. Katey Martin reckons there could be enough in it for the bowlers. Chinelle Henry exploited the conditions by targeting the cracks and extracting movement. There could be some assistance for spin too.

RCB were dealt a blow even before a ball had been bowled this season, with Ellyse Perry pulling out of the tournament. But in Grace Harris, they have found an enforcer at the top. Here is a deeper dive into the method behind her mayhem, and how that has worked a charm for RCB so far.

Stats: DC have dominated the head-to-head against RCB, winning six of their nine meetings, with both teams sharing a win apiece this season. At this venue, the sides are evenly matched with one win each. This season, all five of DC’s victories have come while chasing, while RCB have won four matches batting second and successfully defended targets in two games.

The average first-innings score at Vadodara in WPL 2026 is 157 runs across ten matches, and the average 1st innings score in wins is 174 runs, with wins evenly split between teams batting first and chasing.

Above average score expected: The average powerplay score in the first innings at Vadodara is 41 this season. In 10 matches, only once has a team gone wicketless in this phase. But given the firepower DC possess, we expect them to score more than average. They should score above 48 for the loss of at least one wicket.

Shadow-Shell: "Sayali, Shafali, Lizelle Lee. It's a pretty rhyming start" -- DC would love some of that rhythm to their batting too...

Sumesh : "Is Lee struggling or pitch helping bowlers DC Fan .. comments " -- A bit of swing on offer but DC have looked a little too anxious to get away so far. Satghare to continue

3.2

6

Sayali to Lee, SIX runs

back to back sixes, and the early scratchiness has given way to momentum! Half-tracker and sitting up on off. Lee picks the length and dumps it over deep mid wicket!

3.1

6

Sayali to Lee, SIX runs

up, up and away! Floaty half-volley outside off and Lee says thank you very much. She swings through the line and pumps it over mid off!

Back to back boundaries for DC!!!