And then there were two - After a league phase that went right down to the wire in what has been one of the most competitive WPL seasons yet, only Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals remain standing. Best friends off the field and fierce competitors on it, Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues lead their respective sides into a blockbuster rematch of the 2024 final, with ultimate glory on the line. Dominance with a caveat - Royal Challengers Bengaluru made a blistering start to the season, winning their first five games and putting themselves firmly in control of the league stage. They had three opportunities to secure a direct berth in the final, stumbled twice, but eventually got the job done with a win in their final league game to finish on top and book their place in the summit clash. Their last outing came on 29th January, and since then, RCB have had time to put their feet up and watch the rest of the season unfold. A few players even made a short trip to Goa during the break, but the big question now is whether that extended downtime works in their favour. There is also the familiar curse attached to finishing top of the table. Ask the Delhi Capitals, who know it better than anyone. Over the last three seasons, DC secured a direct berth in the final each time, only to lose on all three occasions. Openers hold the key - RCB's fortunes have closely mirrored the form of their opening pair, Smriti Mandhana and Grace Harris. Whenever that combination has fired, Bengaluru have looked dominant and in control. The chink in the armour appears when opposition sides manage to dismiss the openers early. In those moments, they will need more than just individual brilliance, with Georgia Voll, Nadine De Klerk, and Richa Ghosh expected to shoulder responsibility. Bell leads the charge - With the ball, Lauren Bell has made an impact like none other this season. One of the key storylines of the final will be how Delhi's opening pair of Lizelle Lee and Shafali Verma fare against her. Pooja Vastrakar was brought into the side for the final league game, while Mandhana indicated that night she would primarily play as a batter, as she is returning from a long injury layoff. If she is able to chip in with the ball on the night of the final, it would add significant value to an attack that, apart from Bell, has been inconsistent at times. Shreyanka Patil and De Klerk have both chipped in with wickets, and how RCB manage their bowling through the middle overs could very well decide their fate on the big night. From stumble to surge - Delhi Capitals' remarkable streak of reaching the final has continued, but unlike the previous three seasons, this time the path has been far more demanding. After finishing top and qualifying directly for the final in each of the last three editions, Delhi were forced to take the longer route via the Eliminator. Their campaign hit a rough patch during the Navi Mumbai leg, where they managed just 1 win from 4 games. But belief within the group never wavered. A strong turnaround followed in Vadodara, where Delhi won 4 of their next 5 matches. Jemimah Rodrigues' side now stands one win away from finally lifting the trophy that has eluded them for three consecutive seasons. Built to absorb early blows - Like RCB, Delhi rely heavily on the starts provided by their opening pair of Lizelle Lee and Shafali Verma. The key difference, however, lies in depth. Delhi are far less vulnerable if the openers fail, with Laura Wolvaardt and skipper Rodrigues consistently stepping up to steady the innings. Delhi's bowling arsenal - Marizanne Kapp has had a relatively quiet season with the bat, while her returns with the ball have been mixed. There were encouraging signs early in the Vadodara leg, but the last couple of games have once again delivered inconsistent results. That hasn't hurt DC too much though, with Chinelle Henry standing tall with the ball. Another standout in Vadodara has been Sree Charani. After managing just 4 wickets across four matches in Navi Mumbai, she has taken 10 wickets in five games here in Vadodara, emerging as a genuine threat. Minnu Mani has also made her presence felt, and her battle against Mandhana could prove pivotal. The RCB skipper has shown vulnerability against off spin, and it was Mani who dismissed her in their previous meeting. In her maiden WPL season, Nandni Sharma has shown she belongs at this level. With 16 wickets to her name, she now holds the record for the most wickets by an Indian bowler in a single WPL season, going past the previous best of 15 set by Saika Ishaque in the inaugural edition. Whether in the middle overs or at the death, Nandni has performed her role with composure and control. Team form (Last 5 T20s, latest result first) - RCB - WLLWW | DC - WWLWW. What to expect? In Vadodara, you are never quite sure what you are going to get. One thing, however, has been consistent. Through this leg on the black-soil surfaces, the pitch has played slow and low, though batters have gradually grown accustomed to the conditions as the tournament has gone on. All five of Delhi Capitals' wins so far have come while chasing. That said, there have been signs of vulnerability when the finish line has been in sight. Earlier in the season, against the Gujarat Giants, they failed to score 7 runs in one final over and 9 in another. For Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the numbers are not too different. 4 of their 6 wins this season have also come while chasing. With history, rivalry, and redemption all in play, this final promises a fitting end to the WPL season, and it will all come down to who handles the big moments better. So, who are you backing to lift the trophy?
ZIM
OMA
RCB
