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Smriti Mandhana opens up on the impact of uncapped players this season ahead of WPL 2026 final, says…
24htopnews | February 5, 2026 2:06 AM CST

New Delhi: Former champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will lock horns with three-time runners-up Delhi Capitals in the Womens Premier League 2026 final at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara on Thursday. This will mark the second WPL final meeting between RCB and DC. Their first encounter came in 2024 when RCB lifted their maiden title with a dominant eight-wicket victory. Delhi Capitals on the other hand have now reached all four WPL finals but are still in search of their first championship. RCB booked a direct spot in the WPL 2026 final RCB booked a direct spot in the WPL 2026 final after finishing atop the league table with 12 points from six wins. They head into the title clash high on confidence after registering a commanding eight-wicket win over the UP Warriorz in the league stage. Mandhana on the impact of uncapped players this season Mandhana reflected on the impact of uncapped players this season pointing out the moments that left a lasting impression on her. Gautami becoming the first uncapped player to score a fifty was extremely nice to see. Prema has also really impressed me. She hasnt got a lot of opportunities with us because of the team combination but shes a gun fielder an extremely nice leg-spinner and a very handy batter as well. Whenever I see her bowl in the nets shes really impressed me. Speaking about Nandini Sharma the Capitals leading wicket-taker this season Smriti Mandhana said Nandini has been a net bowler for us over the last two years and Ive seen how hard she works day in and day out. So when I saw her pick up her first five-wicket haul it genuinely made me very happy. She always bowled her heart out in the nets and I used to feel that something good had to come her way because of the effort she was putting in. I’m happy for her. Mandhana also spoke about her equation with Malolan Rangarajan Mandhana also spoke about her equation with RCB head coach Malolan Rangarajan she highlighted the calm influence he has brought to the team. Ive known Malo for the last three years right from the first season. From the second season onwards especially around auction planning hes been very involved. He’s extremely calm and composed. Whether we were 44 for 4 or in control later in the innings he is exactly the same. A lot of the girls have really enjoyed working with him and taken in the calmness he brings. For many of the Indian players who came in that calmness was needed and I feel he’s helped them a lot. Now our bond is such that we don’t even need to talk. We just understand each other.    


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