WPL | Smriti had high fever but got on with the job: Malolan

In the wee hours of Friday, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru basked in the afterglow of a second Women’s Premier League title, Smriti Mandhana picked out Lauren Bell and Georgia Voll for special praise at the post-final presentation. She also expressed gratitude to the franchise’s fans for their unwavering support.

The 29-year-old, true to her self-effacing nature, didn’t play up her own contribution. Perhaps she doesn’t need to, when she is so adept at letting her bat do the talking. 

The quality of her knock — she struck 87 off 41 balls — was top-notch in any given scenario. That she produced such brilliance in a chase of 204 on the big night made it even more remarkable, especially given the revelation by head coach Malolan Rangarajan that she had a high fever on the eve of the game.

“She saved one of her best innings for the final. Smriti played this game with a massive flu. She was seriously unwell with high fever. But for one second also, she didn’t show it. So, that’s the person Smriti is,” Malolan said in the post-match presser.

RCB captain Smriti Mandhana with Delhi Capital captain Jemimah Rodrigues after WPL 2026 final at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara, Gujarat on Thursday February 05, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
VIJAY SONEJI

Smriti stitched together a record partnership of 165 with Voll for the second wicket on Thursday. Voll was overlooked in favour of spinner Linsey Smith for the first three games of the season, but even with RCB winning, the think-tank chose to adapt and change the combination in order to be one step ahead. The Australian vindicated that move with her innings of 79 in the final.

“Linsey was primarily a PowerPlay option for us with the ball along with Bell. We were saying at that time, could we bring in another batter to unlock our batting even more? So, adaptability and changing with the conditions and situation was key. That tough call on Linsey had to be taken,” he said.