Smriti Mandhana believes Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s week-long break in Goa has come at the perfect time as the team gears up for the WPL 2026 final against Delhi Capitals at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara.

RCB last played on January 29 and used the gap to unwind away from cricket. The squad made the most of Goa’s beaches, with players relaxing in their own ways. Some partied, some spent time by the sea, others played golf, while Shreyanka Patil and Radha Yadav were seen dancing. Mandhana also spent time with new additions Arundhati Reddy and Sayali Satghare, who joined the squad as replacements for Ellyse Perry.

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Speaking at the pre-final press conference, Mandhana said the break was essential after a hectic schedule of back-to-back matches early in the tournament.

“Yeah, it was very important. Six days of constantly thinking about cricket, who’s going to come in, what’s going to happen, it can be draining. Going away for the first two or three days really helped,” Mandhana said. “We had a lot of back-to-back games in the first few days, so the break helped everyone refresh and recharge.”

‘RCB practising extremely hard’

Mandhana, who has scored 290 runs in eight matches this season, said the team shifted gears once they returned from Goa, training with intensity in the lead-up to the final.

“Coming back on February 2nd, 3rd and 4th and practising extremely hard has been the most important part for us,” she said. “I’m really happy that everyone enjoyed the break together and then came back feeling very fresh.”

The Indian opener added that staying confined to hotel rooms without cricket could have led to unnecessary overthinking.

“Sometimes, just sitting in the hotel room and not doing much can cause a lot of overthinking. So I’m glad RCB took us to Goa. Now we’re really looking forward to the final,” Mandhana added.

RCB will be aiming to defy a notable trend in the WPL. So far, no team finishing at the top of the league table has gone on to win the title. In 2023, 2024 and 2025, Delhi Capitals topped the standings but finished runners-up, losing once to RCB and twice to two-time champions Mumbai Indians.

This season, RCB sealed a playoff spot with victories in their first five matches and confirmed the top position with a win over UP Warriorz in their final league fixture.