The grand finale of the Women’s Andhra Premier League (WAPL) 2026 at the ACA Stadium in Mangalagiri witnessed a thrilling encounter between Godavari Dazzlers Women (GGD-W) and Rayalaseema Xen Stars Women (RXS-W). Deciding to make first use of the pitch after winning the toss, GGD-W opted to bat in this high-stakes final. However, what followed was a masterclass in disciplined bowling from the Rayalaseema attack, setting up a smooth run-chase for their batters and ultimately sealing a convincing 6-wicket triumph to lift the championship trophy.
Opening the innings for Godavari Dazzlers, Kolathur Subhasri and Vemulapeti Sefu Sai laid down a solid foundational partnership at the top. Subhasri looked in excellent touch, stroking 5 crisp boundaries during her 35-ball stay to construct a valuable 30 runs. Alongside her, Sefu Sai played the anchor role, compiling an unbeaten 35 off 40 deliveries with 3 boundaries. The opening pair added 43 runs together before Shristi Sekhar got the crucial breakthrough for RXS-W in the 8th over, removing Subhasri.
Greeshma Saini Reddy entered at number three but managed only a single run before falling to Korukonda Harika. Wicketkeeper-batter Harshita Gowda brought some urgency with a quickfire 10 off 8 balls (including 1 boundary) before Henrietta Flavia Pereira sent her packing. The middle order stumbled as skipper Elluta Padmaja fell lbw to Harika for 2. To finish the innings, Sefu Sai found support in Vasevi Pavani, who contributed a steady 11* off 12 balls. Godavari Dazzlers finished their 20 overs at 96/9.
The Rayalaseema Xen Stars bowling attack showcased relentless consistency throughout the first innings. Vadde Akshaya opened proceedings with a tidy single-over spell giving away just 7 runs. Korukonda Harika was exceptionally economical, delivering a standout spell of 1/14 in her 4 overs. Peka Vinny Suzan conceded 20 runs across 2.1 overs without taking a wicket, while Pasagadugula Vaishnavi kept things tight with figures of 0/16 in 3 overs. The chief destroyers, however, were Shristi Sekhar, who picked up 2/22 in her 4 overs, and captain Henrietta Flavia Pereira, who bagged 1/19 in 3 overs to restrict GGD-W to a modest total.
Chasing a target of 97 runs, Rayalaseema Xen Stars Women got off to a rocky start. Opening batter Gundupelli Udvitha was dismissed early for just 1 run, falling to Avula Sreeshe. Bathula Harshitha contributed 10 off 13 balls ( hitting 1 boundary) before also falling to Sreeshe. Down the order, K Pushpa Tha Gowda added 3 runs off 8 balls before becoming Sreeshe’s third victim. The middle-order stability came courtesy of skipper Henrietta Flavia Pereira, who led from the front with a match-winning knocked of 45 runs off 44 balls, laced with 3 boundaries.
Pereira partnered effectively with M Mahalakshmi Menoja, who scored a steady 20 off 29 balls. Following Pereira’s eventual dismissal by Elluta Padmaja, Peka Vinny Suzan fell for a duck. Shristi Sekhar (2) and Pasagadugula Vaishnavi (0) fell in quick succession, but lower-order batters Vadde Akshaya (1), Chintapalli Meher Lahari (1*), and Korukonda Harika (1*) held their composure to cross the finish line in 17.1 overs at 98/4.
Despite defending a modest total, the Godavari Dazzlers bowling unit fought back with determination. Leading the charge was Avula Sreeshe, who delivered a brilliant spell of 4/19 in her 4 overs, constantly putting pressure on the opposition. Captain Elluta Padmaja provided strong support from the other end, taking 2/18 in her 4 overs. Vasevi Pavani picked up 1/21 in 4 overs, while Vemulapeti Sefu Sai bowled a disciplined spell of 0/16 in 3 overs. Bareddu Anusha (0/14 in 4 overs) and Kokkiligadda Dhathri (0/3 in 1 over) kept the scoring rate check, but the low total meant RXS-W ultimately prevailed to bag the championship title.
