“Everyone has had a…”: Smriti Mandhana speaks out after RCB's WPL 2026 playoffs qualification

Smriti Mandhana praises RCB team effort [Source: @RCBTweets/x]

The RCB Women’s team, under the leadership of Smriti Mandhana, crushed Gujarat Giants by 61 runs in match 12 of the WPL 2026 season to kick off the Vadodara leg of the competition on a triumphant note. The outcome also marked RCB’s fifth successive win as they became the first team to qualify for the WPL 2026 playoffs.

The Smriti Mandhana-led side continues to remain the only unbeaten team of the season, as they are placed at the top of the WPL 2026 points table with five wins in five games and with a formidable NRR of 1.882. Reflecting RCB’s ruthless playoffs push, the skipper praised the collective effort of the side, highlighting how contributions across departments have powered the team’s unbeaten run.

Smriti Mandhana praises uncapped Gautami Naik after win over Giants

While speaking during the post-match presentation ceremony, Smriti Mandhana praised team’s new recruit and uncapped Indian cricketer Gautami Naik for leading RCB’s rescue act against the Gujarat Giants. Batting at number four and arriving to the crease after the fall of both openers at 10-2, Naik compiled 73 runs from 55 balls with seven boundaries and a six to elevate the RCB total to an imposing 178-6 in 20 overs.

Smriti Mandhana also praised Richa Ghosh, Radha Yadav and Nadine de Klerk for providing the slog-overs impetus in the innings.

The RCB skipper said, “From where we started in our batting innings and then to get 180+ was excellent. Very, very happy for Gautami. Coming from Domestic cricket, doing well there but performing at such a big stage and coming in to bat at 10/2 and the way she batted was outstanding. I am really proud of her. Richa, Radha & Nadine finished off the innings really well. The bowling plans were spot on too.”

Reflecting Gautami Naik’s match-defining performance with the bat, Smriti Mandhana added that the cricketer played with the right attitude and adapted her game really well despite being a relatively inexperienced player.

Mandhana said, “She didn't get the opportunity to bat in the first game but the attitude was spot on. You can get out, you can do anything but the attitude has to be right up there. Today again the application was spot on from her. The wicket wasn't easy to bat. She understood it quickly and adapted it really well. She is not that experienced but batted brilliantly. That was a very commendable job.”

Smriti Mandhana brags about match-winning arsenal in RCB

When asked to reflect different players stepping up for the RCB team this WPL 2026 season, Smriti Mandhana boasted of having multiple match-winners in her arsenal, and stated how everyone has had a moment to shine off late.

She said, “Amazing to see that. When you have five different match-winners in the team, it's really pleasing to see. Everyone has had a moment in this WPL where they have done maybe taken a wicket, broken a partnership or took a good catch. That's something extremely special. Everyone did their contributions for the team.”

RCB braces up for second half of WPL 2026

Having already qualified for the WPL 2026 playoffs, the RCB Women’s team will be aiming to hold onto its number one position heading into the second half of the season.

After playing three matches in the last four days, the Smriti Mandhana-led side will now face the Delhi Capitals Women’s team in match 15 on January 24 later this week. Even a single win in their remaining three games will pretty much ensure a top spot and a direct place in the finals for the RCB franchise by the end of the league stage.