Royal Challengers Bengaluru, RCB’s dream run in the Women’s Premier League 2026 has continued to gather momentum, with the defending champions becoming the first team to confirm a playoff berth after five wins from five matches.
At the heart of this remarkable start is a combination of tactical clarity, squad depth and an unshakable belief system that captain Smriti Mandhana believes has allowed RCB to keep winning even when things have not gone entirely to plan.
Speaking after RCB’s latest victory, Mandhana was clear that the early qualification was not the product of a few standout performances, but rather the result of collective consistency across the group. “It has been a great start to our campaign, and we are very pleased with our performances so far. We have tried to stay true to our processes and continue to take it one game at a time, but the morale in the group is high and the environment has been excellent,” she said.
RCB’s unbeaten streak has not been built on one-dimensional cricket. Some matches have been won with dominant batting, others through disciplined bowling, and a few through sheer resilience in pressure situations. That versatility, according to Mandhana, is what truly separates a good team from a title contender.
“It has been massively important that everyone has contributed,” she explained. “Beyond the Player of the Match performances, we have seen players step up whenever the situation has demanded it. In every game, we have found a way to win, even in moments when we have been on the back foot. That ability to close out results, even when it has not always been smooth sailing, is always a great sign for any team.”
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
One of the defining features of RCB’s WPL 2026 campaign has been the visible cohesion within the squad. Whether it is senior internationals or emerging Indian players, everyone appears to be aligned to a common goal and a shared style of play. Mandhana believes this has been carefully cultivated by the management and coaching staff.
“There is a strong belief within the group, and the whole squad is gelling well,” she said. “A lot of credit has to go to the coaching staff and management for creating an environment where everyone brings the same intensity. Even in training sessions, players are willing to go that extra mile, and that is reflected in the range of performances we have seen, whether it is from someone experienced like Nadine de Klerk or a youngster like Gautami Naik.”
This culture of equal accountability has ensured that no player feels overburdened. Instead, RCB have been able to spread responsibility across the XI, making them far harder to contain than sides that depend heavily on two or three stars.
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
Mandhana also highlighted how the groundwork for this success was laid long before the season began. The WPL auction, often seen as a gamble, turned into a masterstroke for RCB, as they assembled a balanced squad with depth across all departments.
“When we came out of the auction, it was clear that we had given ourselves a lot of options,” she said. “That was the first step, and the way the players have come in and executed their roles has helped us achieve results. There is clarity around roles, and that has made a big difference.”
That clarity has allowed players to focus on what they do best rather than trying to cover multiple responsibilities. Whether it is a bowler attacking in short bursts or a batter holding the innings together, everyone knows exactly what is expected of them.
A bowling unit that sets the tone
If RCB’s batting has been resilient, their bowling has been ruthless. Mandhana pointed to the impact of her frontline bowlers in building pressure and creating opportunities to win matches.
“When you have bowlers like Nadine de Klerk with 10 wickets, Lauren Bell with 9, and Shreyanka Patil also with 9 wickets, it naturally puts pressure on the opposition,” she noted. “Beyond them, there have been several other contributions as well. Sayali has stepped up, Arundhati has been economical, and Prema has delivered important spells. That balance and depth across the group is what is giving us confidence going forward.”
RCB’s ability to strike at regular intervals has ensured that even high-scoring teams have found it difficult to build momentum. This wicket-taking approach has often allowed RCB’s batters to play with freedom, knowing the bowling unit can defend totals or chase down modest ones.
Despite qualifying early for the playoffs, Mandhana was quick to caution against complacency. Having led RCB to their maiden WPL title in 2024, she knows how quickly fortunes can change in tournament cricket.
“The table position looks good, but we are still focused on improving,” she said. “Every match gives you something to work on, and we are trying to use this phase of the tournament to sharpen ourselves for the knockout games.” That mindset will be tested again when RCB take on Delhi Capitals on Saturday night, a fixture that has often produced high-quality contests in the WPL. With their playoff spot already secured, RCB now have the luxury of experimenting with combinations and managing workloads, but Mandhana has made it clear that standards will not drop.
For now, RCB remain the benchmark side of WPL 2026 unbeaten, confident and unified. And if their captain’s words are anything to go by, this team believes that no matter how challenging the situation becomes, they will always find a way to win.
