The chant Ee Sala Cup Namdu has finally shifted from hope to reality as Royal Challengers Bengaluru created history by becoming the first franchise to hold both the IPL and Women’s Premier League titles at the same time. The landmark moment came after RCB sealed a thrilling victory in the WPL 2026 final on Thursday night, sparking emotional reactions from those closest to the franchise’s long journey, including Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Virat Kohli (@virat.kohli)
Moments after the winning runs were struck, Kohli took to social media to celebrate the achievement and applaud the women’s team for their grit and character. “Champions again. Keeping the RCB flag flying high and something that each one of you can be proud of,” he wrote. “To Smriti and the whole squad and the management team, a big congratulations for this tremendous victory. You guys deserve this undoubtedly. Enjoy the moment and embrace the love of our amazing fans.”
The victory carried deep significance for RCB supporters. The franchise’s long wait for silverware finally ended when Smriti Mandhana led the women’s side to their first WPL title in 2024. That breakthrough seemed to lift a long standing weight off the franchise, with the men following it up in 2025 by winning their maiden Indian Premier League title under Rajat Patidar, allowing Kohli to finally savour championship glory after years of near misses.
Anushka Sharma was equally swept up in the moment as RCB lifted their second WPL trophy, calling it a case of history repeating itself. Shortly after the six wicket win over Delhi Capitals, she shared a celebratory image of the women’s team with the trophy, praising their repeat triumph and adding a personal and emotional touch to an already unforgettable night for the franchise.
The final itself was far from straightforward. Delhi Capitals, batting first, put up an imposing total of 203, setting the stage for a high pressure chase. What followed was a statement performance from RCB’s top order. Captain Smriti Mandhana led from the front with a commanding 87 off just 41 balls, while Georgia Voll’s composed 79 from 54 deliveries ensured the chase remained firmly under control.
Anushka’s reaction resonated beyond her celebrity status, reflecting her long association with the RCB brand through Kohli. Married since 2017, the couple is currently based in London with their children Vamika and Akaay. While Anushka has largely stepped away from acting since her last film Zero in 2018 and her comeback project Chakda Xpress remains on hold, moments like RCB’s WPL triumph show she continues to be closely connected to Indian cricket’s biggest milestones.
Also Read: VIRAL: Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli Pose With Fan
