WPL: Royal Challengers Bengaluru Dominate UP Warriorz with 8-Wicket Victory
In a commanding display, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated UP Warriorz by eight wickets in the 18th match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026. This victory, held in Vadodara, solidified RCB’s position at the top of the points table.
Match Overview
- Date: January 29, 2026
- Venue: Vadodara, Gujarat, India
- Result: RCB won by 8 wickets
Points Standings
After this match, RCB leads the standings with 12 points from eight matches, achieving six wins and two losses. Their Net Run Rate stands at +1.247. In contrast, UP Warriorz sits at the bottom with four points from seven matches, comprised of two wins and five losses, resulting in a Net Run Rate of -1.146.
UP Warriorz’s Innings
After losing the toss and being asked to bat, UP Warriorz struggled to reach 143 runs for eight wickets in their allotted 20 overs. A significant partnership came from all-rounder Deepti Sharma and captain Meg Lanning, who added 74 runs for the opening wicket. This marked the Warriorz’s first 50-plus opening partnership of the season.
- Meg Lanning: Scored 41 runs off 30 balls, including six fours and one six.
- Deepti Sharma: Top-scored with 55 runs from 43 balls, featuring six fours and one six.
- Amy Jones: Scored just 1 run.
The team’s bowlers for RCB performed impressively, notably Nadine de Klerk, who took four wickets for 22 runs, effectively dismantling the UP batting lineup.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Response
During the chase for 144 runs, RCB’s openers Smriti Mandhana and Grace Harris provided a solid foundation, scoring 108 runs together. Mandhana’s excellent form continued, as she remained unbeaten on 54 runs, while Harris delivered a powerful performance with 75 runs off just 37 balls.
- Grace Harris: Scored 75 runs with 13 fours and 2 sixes.
- Smriti Mandhana: Finished with 54 runs, hitting 8 fours and 2 sixes.
RCB completed the chase in a mere 13.1 overs, demonstrating their dominance in the match. With this win, Mandhana joined an elite group of players, achieving her fifth century partnership in the history of the WPL, matching with notable players like Nat Sciver-Brunt.
Summary of Performers
| Player | Team | Runs Scored | Wickets Taken |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deepti Sharma | UP Warriorz | 55 | – |
| Grace Harris | RCB | 75 | – |
| Smriti Mandhana | RCB | 54* | – |
| Nadine de Klerk | RCB | – | 4/22 |
As the tournament progresses, Royal Challengers Bengaluru looks poised to maintain their momentum, while UP Warriorz will aim to bounce back in their upcoming fixtures.
