Vadodara, Feb 5: The grand finale of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 promises a thrilling contest, with the stakes at an all-time high as Delhi Capitals (DC) face Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) here at the BCA Stadium (Kotambi).

This final has a unique India-South Africa flavour, with key players like Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Smriti Mandhana, and Richa Ghosh lighting up the stage, while the likes of Marizanne Kapp and Laura Wolvaardt add international spice.

The build-up to this encounter has been unpredictable. DC, often scraping through must-win situations, make their fourth attempt at WPL glory, having faced intense pressure to reach the final.

On the other hand, RCB’s dominant run to the summit, finishing atop the group with six wins in eight matches, has seen them surge into this final with confidence, bolstered by key contributions from Grace Harris in the absence of Ellyse Perry.

In contrast, the road to the final for both teams couldn’t have been more different. RCB will likely back Pooja Vastrakar to play as a specialist batter, with the return of Arundhati Reddy and the possible inclusion of leg-spinner Prema Rawat adding tactical depth. DC are unlikely to change their winning combination, sticking with the 13 players they’ve used all season, a testament to their consistent core.

The opening battle between Shafali Verma and Lizelle Lee of DC and Lauren Bell of RCB will be a highlight. Bell has been a menace with the new ball, and her battle with DC’s power-hitting openers could set the tone. Shafali and Lee’s fiery powerplay performances will be critical; DC’s success this season has been built on chasing big targets, with their opening duo crucial to setting the chase.

At the other end, Mandhana’s leadership has been integral to RCB’s journey, and her consistency in the final could be the key to their third title. A victory would not only secure another WPL title but might also solidify Mandhana’s case for a more prominent leadership role in Indian cricket.

Grace Harris’ strike rate of 181 is the highest among batters facing over 50 balls, proving she’s the player to watch for RCB, while DC’s Nandni Sharma, with 16 wickets, leads the Indian wicket-takers chart in WPL 2026.

DC are undefeated in matches where Shafali and Lee have put on a 50+ partnership, while RCB’s death bowling, with an economy rate of 8.27, is the best in the league, while DC are second at 8.37.

The Vadodara pitch offers a balance, with decent grass cover that could favour the spinners. While dew is not expected to play as big a role as earlier in the season, conditions could change quickly, making tactical decisions crucial. Both teams will be looking to exploit these nuances in a final where every inch counts.

With everything to play for, the WPL 2026 final promises fireworks. Will RCB continue their winning streak, or will DC rise to claim their maiden WPL crown? One thing is certain: the excitement is bound to keep fans on the edge of their seats.

New Delhi, Feb 2: Following Pakistan’s decision to boycott its high-profile T20 World Cup match against India, the Opposition on Monday termed the move the ‘biggest slap on the face’ of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Several Opposition leaders also questioned India’s participation in matches against Pakistan after ‘Operation Sindoor’. Meanwhile, the BJP said Pakistan’s decision was inconsequential and it was another example of its cowardice.

Speaking to media, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said Pakistan’s boycott exposed the failure of cricketing diplomacy.

“This is the biggest slap on the face of the BCCI. The BCCI is the most powerful and richest cricket body in the world and an influential member of the ICC. After the terror attack and ‘Operation Sindoor’, we repeatedly raised Pakistan’s role in promoting terrorism on global platforms. Families of the 26 people who lost their lives kept appealing that matches should not be played with Pakistan,” she said.

Congress MP Ujjwal Raman Singh echoed similar concerns, stating that Pakistan should have been stopped from playing India immediately after ‘Operation Sindoor’.

“At that time, we raised the question of why India was still playing Pakistan. Terror attacks were carried out, innocent people were killed, and it was a serious issue. Yet matches continued. Now Pakistan is pretending to be the victim, while our people suffered losses. The ICC should take strict action. In a way, Pakistan is slapping us in the face, and India should take a firm stand,” he said, adding that the ICC’s representatives appeared to be failing in enforcing discipline.

Congress leader Pratap Singh Khachariyawas said, “Pakistan is meaningless and acting irrationally. Pakistan is not loyal even to Imran Khan or to its own people, so how can it be loyal to India? What Pakistan says about India makes no difference, because India has defeated Pakistan every time.”

Samajwadi Party MP Rajeev Kumar Rai said India missed an opportunity to take a decisive stand earlier.

“It is our mistake. We should not have given Pakistan the opportunity to refuse playing against us. A better decision should have been taken immediately after ‘Operation Sindoor’.

Congress MP Tariq Anwar said, “It is unfortunate that Pakistan refused at the very last moment, just when the time had come to play the match. It’s against the norms. There are few days left, then they are taking this decision. This is wrong.”

Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput said the situation raised serious questions for the ruling party and cricket authorities.

“India will not tolerate threats. Whoever wants to leave can leave. But the BJP and the BCCI will have to answer how a country like Pakistan, and even smaller nations like Bangladesh, feel confident enough to issue threats or boycotts against India. The BJP must respond clearly,” he said.

In contrast, BJP leaders dismissed Pakistan’s decision as irrelevant. BJP MP Damodar Agrawal said, “It is their matter whether they play or not. There is no need for any reaction from our side.”

BJP spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo criticised Pakistan’s history, calling the boycott another example of its cowardice.

“Pakistan has a long history of retreat. In 1947–48, when it intruded into Kashmir, the Indian Army pushed them back. The same pattern was seen in 1965. During ‘Operation Sindoor’ as well, history repeated itself. We will appeal to the ICC to ban Pakistan’s cricket team for violating ICC norms,” he said.

BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal said Pakistan benefited financially from Indian viewership.

“It is better if they do not come. They earn revenue from Indian television channels. On their own, they will not even be able to pay their cricketers,” he said.

BJP MLA Ram Kadam said India’s strength had already been proven on and off the field.

“Our players have shown that even on Pakistan’s home ground, they are capable of defeating them. Whether in the sky or on the ground, India has taught Pakistan lessons. This is a transformed India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi that enters enemy territory and acts decisively,” he said.

BJP Maharashtra President Amit Satam said, “This is Pakistan’s nature. Over the past many years, Pakistan has always behaved in this manner, and every time they show the same nature.”

BJP State President Sanjay Saraogi stated that Pakistan’s global standing had weakened further after Operation Sindoor.

“Our brave soldiers entered Pakistan and destroyed terrorist hideouts, leaving them shaken. Pakistan has no status left. It would be better if they do not play with India,” he said.

BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal emphasised national security over sports.

“India is not concerned about this issue. The safety of our country is paramount. Pakistan creates chaos, and it does not matter whether they play or not,” he said.

BJP MP Naresh Bansal concluded by saying that Pakistan’s boycott would not affect India.

“This is their decision. If they do not play, we will still go ahead and play,” he added.

New Delhi, Jan 24 : Investors are likely to remain on edge over the proposed US framework on Greenland, and near-term volatility related to this issue can continue, a report has said.

The report from Bank of Baroda said that market participants are awaiting more details that could determine whether negotiations succeed or unravel.

“Going ahead, investors are likely to await more details of the deal, as there are a few sticking points which can derail the negotiations. Hence, some volatility can be expected,” the report said.

Several analysts expect the arrangement to resemble an update of the existing security agreement between the US and Denmark, which was signed in 1951, the report noted.

Further negotiations will follow in due course which will cover areas such as US military presence in Greenland, as well as use of its mineral resources and sovereignty, said Aditi Gupta, Economist, Bank of Baroda.

US President Donald Trump has framed Washington’s interest in Greenland as driven by national security concerns, but the island’s largely unexplored mineral wealth including oil, gas and rare earth elements is of interest to US, the report said.

“The announcement of a framework deal between the US and NATO has helped to soothe investors’ nerves, however the details of the deal are still fuzzy,” it added.

Geo-political tensions escalated and markets went into turmoil after the US President intensified rhetoric to annex Greenland and threatened economic measures against European countries that oppose US plans. In response, several European nations, including France, Germany, Sweden amongst others increased military deployment in Greenland, further escalating tensions.

Trump had announced a 10 per cent additional tariff on goods from the UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Netherlands and Finland from February 1, 2026. The rate was expected to increase to 25 per cent by June 1, 2026.

Later, he backed off from his threat of imposing tariffs on European countries along the sidelines of the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos.