WPL 2026: De Klerk Shines, RCB Limits UPW to 143/8
Nadine de Klerk’s impressive performance was pivotal in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) securing a narrow victory over the UP Warriorz (UPW) in a crucial Women’s Premier League (WPL) match held in Vadodara. UPW struggled after a strong start, ultimately scoring just 143 runs for eight wickets.
Strong Start by UP Warriorz
In this must-win match, UPW made a strategic decision to drop opener Kiran Navgire. Deepti Sharma was promoted to open alongside Meg Lanning, and this move initially paid off. Both players formed a formidable partnership, accumulating 72 runs in 49 balls.
- Deepti Sharma scored 55 runs off 43 balls with 6 fours and 1 six.
- Meg Lanning contributed significantly with 41 runs off 30 balls.
The power-hitting pair gave their team a hopeful start, reaching 74 runs without losing a wicket within the first eight overs. However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the middle overs.
Turning Point for RCB
Nadine de Klerk was the standout performer for RCB, taking four wickets for just 22 runs. Her early strike, dismissing Lanning, marked the beginning of UPW’s collapse. She also trapped Amy Jones for just 1 run.
Grace Harris further strengthened RCB’s grip on the game by taking two wickets, including that of Harleen Deol and Chloe Tryon, as UPW’s innings faltered. The team went from a solid 74 for no loss to 103 for four, losing wickets at critical junctures.
Key Bowling Figures
| Player | Wickets | Runs Conceded | Overs Bowled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nadine de Klerk | 4 | 22 | 4 |
| Grace Harris | 2 | 22 | 3 |
The scoring rate dropped from a promising start, and UPW could not recover, finishing their innings at 143 runs. RCB’s effective bowling and strategic fielding ultimately decided the match.
Conclusion
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru demonstrated resilience after the early onslaught from UPW. With Nadine de Klerk leading the attack, RCB limited UPW to a score that proved insufficient in a match crucial for the playoff race in the WPL 2026 season.
