WPL 2026: Smriti Mandhana Surges to Third in Orange Cap Race as Nandani Sharma Claims Purple Cap Lead

The Women's Premier League 2026 is reaching its climactic league stage conclusion, and the individual honors race is proving to be as competitive as the team standings. Saturday's encounter between Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru has significantly reshuffled both the Orange Cap and Purple Cap leaderboards.

Delhi Capitals Secure Commanding Victory

Delhi Capitals registered a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru, a result that has major implications for both the points table and individual statistics. The match showcased standout performances from players on both sides, despite the lopsided final result.

Smriti Mandhana's Resilient Knock Boosts Orange Cap Credentials

RCB captain Smriti Mandhana continued her impressive WPL 2026 campaign with a fighting 38 against Delhi Capitals. While her side fell short, her contribution has propelled her to third position in the Orange Cap standings.

Current Orange Cap Standings

Mandhana now has 230 runs in six innings, placing her just ten runs behind second-placed Harmanpreet Kaur of Mumbai Indians. UP Warriorz's Phoebe Litchfield maintains her grip on the Orange Cap with 243 runs, though the gap is narrowing with every match.

The battle for fourth place sees Delhi Capitals opener Lizelle Lee, who managed only six runs on Saturday, tied with Mumbai Indians' Nat Sciver-Brunt. Both players will be eager to capitalize on remaining fixtures to climb the rankings.

Nandani Sharma's Three-Wicket Haul Earns Purple Cap

The standout performer of Saturday's encounter was undoubtedly Delhi Capitals seamer Nandani Sharma. Her devastating three-wicket haul dismantled the RCB batting lineup and catapulted her to the summit of the Purple Cap standings.

Purple Cap Race Heats Up

Nandani now leads the wicket-taking charts with 13 scalps in six matches, establishing a two-wicket cushion over Gujarat Giants captain Sophie Devine. The young Indian seamer has been a revelation for Delhi this season, consistently delivering in crucial moments.

RCB allrounder Nadine de Klerk and Mumbai Indians' Amelia Kerr are locked on ten wickets each, keeping the competition for the top spots intense. RCB's Lauren Bell, who endured a wicketless spell on Saturday, remains fifth with nine wickets.

Impact on Team Dynamics

RCB's Challenges Mount

Despite Mandhana's individual brilliance, RCB's bowling unit struggled to contain Delhi's batters. Lauren Bell's uncharacteristically quiet outing highlights the challenges facing the Bengaluru-based franchise as they look to secure their playoff berth.

Delhi's Bowling Depth Shines

Nandani Sharma's emergence as the tournament's leading wicket-taker demonstrates Delhi Capitals' bowling depth. Her ability to take wickets in the powerplay and middle overs has been instrumental in the team's recent success.

Looking Ahead: The Final League Stage Push

With the league stage nearing its conclusion, every performance carries heightened significance. The margins separating the top contenders for both Orange and Purple Caps are razor-thin:

• Orange Cap: Just 13 runs separate leader Phoebe Litchfield from third-placed Smriti Mandhana
• Purple Cap: Nandani Sharma holds a slender two-wicket lead over Sophie Devine

The upcoming fixtures will be crucial in determining not just playoff qualification but also individual honors. Expect aggressive batting approaches from contenders chasing the Orange Cap, while bowlers will target wicket-taking opportunities to close the gap on Nandani Sharma.

Key Matchups to Watch

As teams jockey for playoff positions, the individual battles add another layer of intrigue to WPL 2026. Whether Mandhana can overhaul Litchfield for the Orange Cap or Nandani can maintain her Purple Cap lead will be storylines worth following in the tournament's decisive phase.