RCB Crush UP Warriorz by 8 Wickets to Seal Final Spot
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) delivered a dominant performance to crush UP Warriorz by 8 wickets in Match 18 of the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 at the BCA Stadium, Vadodara (also known as Kotambi Stadium) on January 29, 2026.
This emphatic victory propelled RCB into the final, securing their spot as table-toppers with 12 points and virtually eliminating UP Warriorz from the playoff race, leaving them at the bottom with just 4 points and a poor net run rate despite a game in hand.
RCB captain Smriti Mandhana won the toss and elected to field first on a pitch that offered some grip for spinners and seamers later. UP Warriorz started brightly but collapsed from a promising position to post a below-par 143/8 in 20 overs. RCB then chased the target with ease, reaching 147/2 in just 13.1 overs (41 balls remaining), thanks to explosive batting from Grace Harris and Mandhana.
The match showcased RCB's all-round strength, with bowlers restricting UPW and batters finishing clinically. It was a statement win for the 2024 champions, who are now favorites to lift the trophy again.
UP Warriorz Innings: 143/8 (20 overs)
UP Warriorz got off to a flying start, with openers providing momentum. Meg Lanning (captain) scored a solid 41 off 30 balls, anchoring the top order. Deepti Sharma contributed a fighting 55 (exact balls not detailed in summaries but key in middle overs). However, they lost wickets in clusters, squandering the platform.
RCB's bowling turnaround was led by Nadine de Klerk, who claimed an impressive 4/22 in her 4 overs. Her variations and accuracy dismantled the middle order, including key scalps like Lanning. All-rounder Grace Harris chipped in with 2/22 in 3 overs, picking up important breakthroughs with her off-spin. Lauren Bell supported with tight lines (1/21 in 4 overs, including many dots), while others like Shreyanka Patil and Arundhati Reddy kept the pressure on.
Fall of wickets showed UPW slipping from strong positions: early promise faded as de Klerk struck repeatedly. Extras were minimal (around 10-12), highlighting RCB's discipline.
Key UPW batting highlights:
Meg Lanning: 41 (30) – Aggressive but fell to de Klerk.
Deepti Sharma: Major contributor in recovery.
Others struggled against spin and pace mix.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Innings: 147/2 (13.1 overs)
Chasing 144, RCB never looked back. The openers put on a massive 108-run partnership for the first wicket, setting the platform for a comfortable chase.
Grace Harris was the star, blasting a blistering 75 off 37 balls (13 fours, 2 sixes, SR 202+). Her aggressive strokeplay, especially against pace and spin, included powerful drives and pulls. She reached her fifty in just 28 balls, showcasing why she's a destructive force.
Captain Smriti Mandhana remained unbeaten on 54 off 27 balls, playing elegant shots and rotating strike perfectly. Their partnership dominated, with boundaries flowing freely. RCB raced to the target at over 11 runs per over, losing only two wickets late (one to Sobhana 1/24).
Powerplay dominance: RCB reached 63/0 in the first 6 overs, setting the tone.
Key Performances & Player of the Match
Grace Harris (RCB): 75 (37) + 2/22 – All-round heroics earned her Player of the Match. Her blitz against former teammates (she previously played for UPW affiliates or similar contexts) was special.
RCB captain Smriti Mandhana won the toss and elected to field first on a pitch that offered some grip for spinners and seamers later. UP Warriorz started brightly but collapsed from a promising position to post a below-par 143/8 in 20 overs. RCB then chased the target with ease, reaching 147/2 in just 13.1 overs (41 balls remaining), thanks to explosive batting from Grace Harris and Mandhana.
The match showcased RCB's all-round strength, with bowlers restricting UPW and batters finishing clinically. It was a statement win for the 2024 champions, who are now favorites to lift the trophy again.
UP Warriorz Innings: 143/8 (20 overs)
UP Warriorz got off to a flying start, with openers providing momentum. Meg Lanning (captain) scored a solid 41 off 30 balls, anchoring the top order. Deepti Sharma contributed a fighting 55 (exact balls not detailed in summaries but key in middle overs). However, they lost wickets in clusters, squandering the platform.
RCB's bowling turnaround was led by Nadine de Klerk, who claimed an impressive 4/22 in her 4 overs. Her variations and accuracy dismantled the middle order, including key scalps like Lanning. All-rounder Grace Harris chipped in with 2/22 in 3 overs, picking up important breakthroughs with her off-spin. Lauren Bell supported with tight lines (1/21 in 4 overs, including many dots), while others like Shreyanka Patil and Arundhati Reddy kept the pressure on.
Fall of wickets showed UPW slipping from strong positions: early promise faded as de Klerk struck repeatedly. Extras were minimal (around 10-12), highlighting RCB's discipline.
Key UPW batting highlights:
Meg Lanning: 41 (30) – Aggressive but fell to de Klerk.
Deepti Sharma: Major contributor in recovery.
Others struggled against spin and pace mix.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Innings: 147/2 (13.1 overs)
Chasing 144, RCB never looked back. The openers put on a massive 108-run partnership for the first wicket, setting the platform for a comfortable chase.
Grace Harris was the star, blasting a blistering 75 off 37 balls (13 fours, 2 sixes, SR 202+). Her aggressive strokeplay, especially against pace and spin, included powerful drives and pulls. She reached her fifty in just 28 balls, showcasing why she's a destructive force.
Captain Smriti Mandhana remained unbeaten on 54 off 27 balls, playing elegant shots and rotating strike perfectly. Their partnership dominated, with boundaries flowing freely. RCB raced to the target at over 11 runs per over, losing only two wickets late (one to Sobhana 1/24).
Powerplay dominance: RCB reached 63/0 in the first 6 overs, setting the tone.
Key Performances & Player of the Match
Grace Harris (RCB): 75 (37) + 2/22 – All-round heroics earned her Player of the Match. Her blitz against former teammates (she previously played for UPW affiliates or similar contexts) was special.
Nadine de Klerk (RCB): 4/22 (4 overs) – Match-turning spell, economical and wicket-taking.
Smriti Mandhana (RCB): 54* (27) – Unbeaten, composed chase leadership.
UPW standouts: Meg Lanning 41, Deepti Sharma 55 – But not enough support.
Full Scorecard Summary
UP Warriorz 143/8 (20 overs)
Meg Lanning: 41 (30)
Deepti Sharma: 55
Bowling – Nadine de Klerk 4/22, Grace Harris 2/22, Lauren Bell 1/21.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 147/2 (13.1 overs)
Grace Harris: 75 (37)
Smriti Mandhana: 54* (27)
Bowling – Sobhana 1/24, others minimal impact.
Match Impact & Context
This result confirmed RCB's qualification for the final (likely on February 5, 2026, at Vadodara). They topped the table with superior NRR (+1.247 range post-match). UP Warriorz' campaign ended disappointingly at the bottom, needing miracles in remaining games.
The game highlighted RCB's depth: strong overseas options like Harris (Australia), de Klerk (South Africa), Bell (England), combined with Indian stars like Mandhana. UPW's batting relied heavily on a few, exposing vulnerabilities.
Atmosphere at BCA Stadium was electric, with fans celebrating RCB's dominance. This win boosts morale ahead of the final, while UPW reflects on what went wrong after early promise.
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