Keeping the RCB flag flying high: Virat, de Villiers hail Red and Gold franchise for second WPL title win

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) legend Virat Kohli congratulated his franchise’s women’s counterpart for defeating Delhi Challengers (DC) in the WPL 2026 final, successfully chasing down a daunting target of 203 to lift the trophy for the second time.

Dinesh Karthik, Yuzvendra Chahal, Rajat Patidar, Krunal Pandya, Mithali Raj and others, alongside the former Chief Minister of Karnataka, H.D. Kumaraswamy, congratulated RCB’s women’s team for their second WPL victory.

‘Trophyless’ jokes can say goodbye and how as within a matter of three years, RCB have gone from having an empty cabinet to atleast one title a year.

Taking to Instagram, Kohli wrote, “Champions again. Keeping the RCB flag flying high is something that each one of you can be proud of. To Smriti @smriti_mandhana and the whole squad and the management team, a big congratulations for this tremendous victory. You guys deserve this undoubtedly. Enjoy the moment and embrace the love of our amazing fans @royalchallengers.bengaluru.”

RCB legend A.B. de Villiers, who represented the franchise from 2011-2021, also posted an Instagram story celebrating the win.

Bollywood actor Anushka Sharma hailed the historic achievement as a repeat triumph for the franchise. Soon after the win, Anushka took to Instagram to share a photo of the RCB Women’s team celebrating with the trophy. Reacting to the milestone, she wrote, “RCB Women do it again. History repeated.”

Taking to X, Dinesh Karthik praised RCB and congratulated DC for reaching four consecutive finals. “That was an unreal WPL FINALS. RCB were just too good throughout the tournament. Feel for DC, 4 finals on the trot, that’s an amazing achievement in itself and they’ve found a long term leader in JEMI. But more importantly, this is a win for WOMENS cricket. The standards have gone through the roof. Power hitting. Fielding. Variations in bowling. Every facet of the game has improved since the inception and that’s been my biggest takeaway watching this season. Highest score ever breached by a team chasing in a Final across men’s and women’’ (IPL n WPL) tells you everything you need to know and sums up this season beautifully. More power to you, girls. Awesome season. Well tried @DelhiCapitals. Well done @RCBTweets,” Karthik said in his X post.

RCB men’s team captain Rajat Patidar and all-rounder Krunal Pandya also posted Instagram stories, celebrating the women’s team win.

Former Karnataka CM, H.D. Kumaraswamy, said in his X post, “Heartiest congratulations to @RCBTweets Women on winning the 2026 Women’s Premier League title and scripting yet another proud chapter in women’s cricket. Under the inspiring leadership of @mandhana_smriti, and with outstanding all-round performances from every member of the team, RCB Women have showcased resilience, teamwork and excellence to secure their second championship. This remarkable achievement reflects dedication, discipline and the rising strength of women’s sports in India. Wishing the team continued success and many more glorious moments ahead.”

“RCB are the champions of WPL 2026. They have won the title for the second time,” said the former India pacer Ashok Dinda.

Former RCB men’s team player Yuzvendra Chahal congratulated RCB, saying, “Congratulations @RCBTweets for winning the WPL 2026,” in an X post.

RCB Women’s team coach Malolan Rangarajan heaped praises on captain Smriti Mandhana, who led the team to their second Women’s Premier League (WPL) title by scoring a match-defining 41-ball 87 in the final against Delhi Capitals on Thursday (February 5). He also revealed that Mandhana was battling a “massive flu” during the all-important clash.

Rangarajan revealed that Smriti Mandhana played the final despite suffering from the flu and a high fever, highlighting her commitment as she turned up without letting her illness affect the team or her performance.

“Smriti, I think, saved one of her best innings for the final. The reason why I say that is, yes, she’s been in very good form in the last 12 months or so, but the way she batted today was inhuman. I mean, I don’t even know the word, so classy, so elegant. When you looked at her, you could see that she was in control of what she wanted to do. It didn’t look like a chase that was 200 the way she batted. She’s timing the ball, and when she wanted, she was hitting, picking the pockets in which he wanted to attack,” Rangarajan said.

“Smriti played this game with a massive, massive flu. She was seriously unwell with a high fever, but again, to turn up and not even show it. Nobody in the team, for one second, also didn’t show it. So, that’s the person she is. When I spoke to her this afternoon, she said, ‘No problem, I’ll be there.’ So, that’s her with her work,” Rangarajan said further.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Smriti Mandhana on Thursday said three titles in three years was an amazing result for the franchise following the win in the Women’s Premier League final in Vadodara. “Very pleased. RCB fans are the best in the world. We get support wherever we play. Three tiles in three years for the franchise, it is amazing,” said Mandhana who overcame recent off-field setbacks to excel in the tournament.

On February 5, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) defeated Delhi Challengers (DC) in the WPL 2026 final, successfully chasing down a daunting target of 203 to lift the trophy for the second time, cementing their position as a dominant force in Indian franchise cricket by completing double — winning the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Women’s Premier League (WPL) titles.

The Bengaluru-based franchise won the IPL title during the 2025 edition under the leadership of Rajat Patidar. The Women’s side clinched the WPL trophies in the 2024 and 2026 seasons.

RCB’s memorable run began with a breakthrough in the 2025 IPL, when they lifted their first-ever title after an 18-year wait, beating Punjab Kings in a thrilling final at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The Rajat Patidar-led side did it for their Number 18 Virat Kohli, who has been with the RCB since the start of the IPL in 2008.

Published – February 06, 2026 01:20 pm IST