Vadodara, Feb 6(.) The JSW and GMR co-owned Delhi Capitals’ remarkable run in the Women’s Premier League came to an end in the final on Thursday, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru clinched the WPL 2026 title with a six-wicket win at the BCA Stadium here. Despite posting a formidable total of 203 for 4, DC were edged out in the final over, finishing runners-up for the fourth consecutive season. DC previously became the only team to reach every WPL final since the tournament’s inception.
Reflecting on the narrow defeat and the emotions following the final, Delhi Capitals Head Coach Jonathan Batty said, “Really tough to take. I think having played so well in the Eliminator earlier in the week and coming into this game with momentum, obviously putting a really good score on the board, I was really proud of the way we went about our business with the bat.”
Batty acknowledged the fine margins that decided the contest, while crediting the opposition for their performance in a high-pressure chase.
“Twenty overs in, you think it’s a really good wicket, but we’ve got a good score and if we bowl well, we’ve got a really good chance. It’s really disappointing to come out on the wrong end of it again. Full credit to RCB, those two batters played absolutely fantastically.”
Despite the result, Batty highlighted the character shown by his side to stay alive in the contest until the final moments.
“It looked like the game was drifting for a period of time, but to still be in it in the last over and lose with only two balls to go, I think we showed a lot of fight and a lot of heart.”
Assessing the broader campaign, Batty felt the final was a fair reflection of Delhi Capitals’ season.
“I think the game kind of summed up our season. We did certain bits really well, and other bits fell away at times as well.”
Batty reserved special praise for Jemimah Rodrigues in her first season as captain, highlighting her growth and leadership through the tournament.
“I’m hugely proud of Jemimah. Losing the first couple of games probably put her under a bit of pressure, but she brought her energy and experience to the table. She contributed a lot of runs and made outstanding decisions as captain throughout the tournament.”
“Her leadership grew and grew as the season went on. She has thrown her heart and soul into this season, and I’m really looking forward to seeing where she takes it over the next few years.” He added.
On the bowling effort in the final and the season as a whole, Batty backed his attack despite the outcome.
“I’m really proud of the way the bowling unit has gone through the tournament. Those batters played really well, but we knew if we could get one mistake, we were right back in the game.”
Batty underlined the significance of Delhi Capitals reaching four finals in a row, calling it a marker of sustained excellence rather than failure.
“The common denominator is we keep losing, but I’m really proud that we’re obviously doing something right if we’re getting to four finals in a row. I’ve said it before, if you keep putting yourself in finals, you will win one.”
Looking back at the season and the squad’s resilience after early setbacks, Batty said, “Losing the first couple of games put us under pressure, but poor teams fragment in those situations. This group came together. They looked after each other, supported Jemimah and bounced back to make the playoffs and win the Eliminator.”
Batty also praised emerging pacer Nandni Sharma, who finished the season as the leading Indian wicket-taker with 17 wickets.
“She’s been fantastic from game one. Full of energy, outstanding skills, swinging the new ball, nailing her yorkers at the death. She wants to learn, she wants to work hard, and for me she’s been the standout bowler of the tournament.”
Despite the disappointment of another final defeat, Batty remained optimistic about the future of the group.
“It’s one of those things in sport. There has to be a loser, and unfortunately it’s us again. But I was really proud of the way we went about it today, and I’m looking forward to seeing what this group does next year.”
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