WPL 2026 RCB vs UP: Grace Harris Blitz Sends RCB Straight Into Final
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women delivered another statement performance in WPL 2026 RCB vs UP, crushing UP Warriorz by eight wickets to become the first team to qualify for the final. After a disciplined bowling effort restricted UPW to 143, Grace Harris produced yet another destructive innings against her former side, smashing a fluent 75. Smriti Mandhana played the perfect supporting role before finishing the chase in style, as RCB wrapped up the target in just 13.1 overs at Vadodara.
Match Summary
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women vs UP Warriorz Women – Match 18
Women’s Premier League 2026 • Vadodara
The WPL 2026 RCB vs UP clash followed a familiar script, much like their previous meeting earlier in the season. UP Warriorz began brightly with the bat, racing to 74 without loss, but lost their way dramatically once wickets started falling in clusters. Nadine de Klerk triggered the collapse with a superb four-wicket haul, supported by timely strikes from Grace Harris and Lauren Bell. Chasing 144, RCB were ruthless. Harris tore into the UPW attack inside the powerplay, while Mandhana ensured there were no hiccups. The commanding victory confirmed RCB’s place in the final with games to spare.
Playing XI
UP Warriorz Women
Meg Lanning (c), Simran Shaikh, Amy Jones (wk), Harleen Deol, Chloe Tryon, Deepti Sharma, Shweta Sehrawat, Sophie Ecclestone, Asha Sobhana Joy, Shikha Pandey, Kranti Gaud
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women
Grace Harris, Smriti Mandhana (c), Georgia Voll, Radha Yadav, Richa Ghosh (wk), Nadine de Klerk, Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Sayali Satghare, Shreyanka Patil, Lauren Bell
Innings Breakdown
First Innings – WPL 2026 RCB vs UP: UPW 143/8
UP Warriorz’ innings in WPL 2026 RCB vs UP was a classic tale of two halves. Meg Lanning and Deepti Sharma surprised RCB by opening together and added a fluent 74-run stand in the first eight overs, scoring at over nine an over. However, once Nadine de Klerk struck twice in a single over, UPW’s momentum collapsed. From 74 without loss, they slumped to 143 for 8, losing eight wickets for just 69 runs. Deepti top-scored with a measured 55, but RCB’s clever use of scrambled seam, cutters, and disciplined spin strangled the middle and death overs.
Second Innings – WPL 2026 RCB vs UP: Harris–Mandhana Domination
The chase in WPL 2026 RCB vs UP was over almost as soon as it began. Grace Harris came out with clear intent, punishing anything short or wide and tearing into Kranti Gaud during the powerplay. Smriti Mandhana played the perfect foil, rotating strike early before shifting gears. The opening pair added 108 runs, completely taking the game away from UPW. Harris fell for a blistering 75 off 37 balls, but by then the result was inevitable. Mandhana brought up her second fifty of the season and sealed the win with a boundary, as RCB chased down 144 with 41 balls to spare.
Top of the table ✅
— Women's Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) January 29, 2026
Final spot sealed ✅@RCBTweets with yet another 𝗕𝗢𝗟𝗗 show in #TATAWPL 2026 ❤️🥳
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/IgbbgWV0xt #KhelEmotionKa | #UPWvRCB pic.twitter.com/xuAox6fGWG
Top Performers
Grace Harris (75 off 37) - Player of the Match
Grace Harris once again proved to be UP Warriorz’ biggest nightmare in WPL 2026 RCB vs UP. The Australian all-rounder produced another breathtaking knock, scoring 75 from just 37 deliveries at a strike rate over 200. Harris targeted the shorter boundaries with precision, especially dismantling Kranti Gaud, whom she struck for seven boundaries across her first two overs. What stood out was Harris’ control — relying more on timing than brute force — as she peppered both sides of the wicket. This innings followed her earlier 85 against UPW this season, underlining her dominance in this matchup and cementing her reputation as RCB’s ultimate big-game player.
Smriti Mandhana (54* off 26)
In WPL 2026 RCB vs UP, Smriti Mandhana played the ideal captain’s knock. While Harris provided the fireworks, Mandhana ensured the chase remained calm and controlled. She picked her moments beautifully, accelerating once the powerplay ended and punishing any slight error from the UPW bowlers. Her unbeaten 54 came at a brisk pace and showcased her ability to shift roles seamlessly — from anchor to aggressor. Importantly, Mandhana finished the game herself, striking the winning boundary to confirm RCB’s direct qualification for the final. This innings was a timely return to form and a reminder of her value in high-pressure matches.
Nadine de Klerk (4/22)
Nadine de Klerk’s spell was the turning point of WPL 2026 RCB vs UP. After UP Warriorz raced to 74 without loss, de Klerk’s clever use of scrambled seam and cutters broke the game open. She finished with 4 for 22, recording the second-best bowling figures for RCB against UPW in WPL history. Her dismissal of Meg Lanning started the collapse, and she returned at the death to pick up crucial wickets, including Sophie Ecclestone for a duck. De Klerk now holds the record for most wickets by an RCB bowler in a single WPL season, underlining her consistency and impact.
What This Result Means
The result of WPL 2026 RCB vs UP officially sends Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women straight into the final, giving them valuable rest and preparation time ahead of the title clash. Finishing the league stage with six wins, RCB have combined power, discipline, and clarity of roles throughout the tournament. For UP Warriorz, this defeat leaves their campaign hanging by a thread, once again exposing their inability to capitalise on strong starts with the bat. With playoff spots still up for grabs elsewhere, RCB’s dominant performance not only boosts confidence but also sends a clear warning to their final opponents.
WPL 2026 Points Table
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