Mallya wants Virat Kohli to learn from Mandhana [Source: @wplt20, @Msdhoni2411, @MAHI83926/x]The RCB women’s team clinched the WPL 2026 title by defeating the Delhi Capitals in a high-scoring thriller in Vadodara. With the women’s team winning its second WPL title in three seasons, the focus now shifts to the Virat Kohli-famed RCB men’s side for the upcoming IPL 2026 season. Former RCB owner and fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya took note of the achievement and extended his congratulations to the RCB Women’s team. The controversial billionaire also used the opportunity to share a special message for the Rajat Patidar-led RCB as their title defence beckons. Vijay Mallya wants RCB to take “motivation” from Smriti Mandhana and co. On February 6, i.e., a day after the RCB Women’s team won the WPL 2026 season, ex-RCB owner Vijay Mallya commemorated the occasion by sharing a congratulatory post. Taking to X, Mallya extended his admiration for Smriti Mandhana and co., and also urged the RCB Men’s team to take inspiration from the WPL success. Vijay Mallya wrote, “Heartiest congratulations to the RCB women’s WPL team. Two championships in succession. Well-deserved and well won. Motivation to the RCB Men’s team as well to retain the trophy.”Vijay Mallya @TheVijayMallya Heartiest congratulations to the RCB women’s WPL team. Two championships in succession. Well deserved and well won. Motivation to the RCB Men’s team as well to retain the trophy. Smriti Mandhana comes up clutch on the big day as RCB clinch WPL 2026The RCB Women’s team pipped perennial underachievers Delhi Capitals in a thrilling last-over finish at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara on February 5. The Capitals batted first and mounted 203-4 in 20 overs, with captain Jemimah Rodrigues top-scoring on the big night with her 37-ball 57. Chinelle Henry (35* off 15) went berserk at the death to provide the slog-overs impetus to the Capitals. In response, RCB lost opener Grace Harris early before captain Smriti Mandhana (87 off 41) and Georgia Voll (79 off 54) shared a match-defining 165-run partnership for the second wicket. Nadine de Klerk and Radha Yadav overcame Capitals’ late spirited fightback to notch up the winning runs together. The outcome marked RCB Women’s second WPL title in the last three editions of the tournament. Back in 2024, Smriti Mandhana and co. had trounced the Capitals to snap the franchise’s trophy curse. Rajat Patidar, Virat Kohli gear up for IPL title defense Last year, the RCB Men’s team also lifted the IPL 2025 trophy by defeating fellow maiden title-chasers Punjab Kings in a high-octane final. Under the leadership of newly-appointed captain Rajat Patidar, RCB zealot and modern-day run machine Virat Kohli realized his long-cherished dream of lifting the IPL trophy for the first time. The franchise subsequently retained both, Patidar and Virat Kohli alongside a slew of other top-performing stars prior to the IPL 2026 auction. On the day of the bidding event, the RCB management made new additions to the team composition in the form of Venkatesh Iyer, Jacob Duffy, Jordan Cox and others. Here is a look at the complete RCB squad for the upcoming IPL 2026 season. RCB squad for IPL 2026: Rajat Patidar, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Jacob Bethell, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Nuwan Thushara, Rasikh Dar, Abhinandan Singh, Suyash Sharma, Venkatesh Iyer, Jacob Duffy, Mangesh Yadav, Satvik Deswal, Jordan Cox, Vicky Ostwal, Kanishk Chouhan and Vihaan Malhotra The IPL 2026 season is scheduled to launch in March next month shortly after the conclusion of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
