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RCB Women Crush UP Warriorz by 8 Wickets in Dominant WPL Display

Royal Challengers Bengaluru returned to winning ways with a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over UP Warriorz in the Women's Premier League. Despite a 74-run opening partnership from UP's Deepti Sharma and Meg Lanning, Nadine de Klerk's four-wicket haul restricted them to 143/8. In reply, Smriti Mandhana and Grace Harris blasted a match-winning 108-run opening stand, with Harris scoring 75 off just 37 balls. Mandhana remained unbeaten on 54 as RCB chased the target in only 13.1 overs to solidify their top spot on the table.

Key Points: RCB Women Thrash UP Warriorz in WPL 2026

  • RCB chase 144 in 13.1 overs
  • Grace Harris scores 75 off 37
  • Smriti Mandhana hits unbeaten 54
  • Nadine de Klerk takes 4/22
2 min read

WPL: Royal Challengers Bengaluru thrash UP Warriorz by eight wickets

RCB Women secure a commanding 8-wicket win over UP Warriorz in WPL 2026, led by Grace Harris and Smriti Mandhana's explosive opening stand.

"The star performer with the ball was Nadine de Klerk, who picked up a four-wicket haul. - Match Report"

Vadodara, January 29

After suffering two consecutive defeats, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are back to winning ways as they thrashed UP Warriroz by eight wickets in the 18th fixture of the ongoing Women's Premier League 2026 season.

With this victory, the Mandhana-led Royal Challengers Bengaluru continued to stay at the top with 12 points to their name in eight matches. They have six wins and two losses, with a Net Run Rate of +1.247.

Meg Lanning's UP Warriorz are languishing at the bottom of the points table with just four points in seven matches. They have suffered five defeats and secured two wins at a Net Run Rate of -1.146.

After being asked to bat first, UP Warriorz were restricted to 143/8 in 20 overs.

All-rounder Deepti Sharma and captain Meg Lanning stitched a crucial 74-run stand for the opening wicket for the Warriorz. This was also UP Warriorz's first 50-plus partnership for the first wicket this season.

Captain Lanning departed after scoring 41 runs off 30 deliveries, with six fours and one six. Amy Jones had a dismal outing, scoring just one run.

Harleen Deol (14) didn't convert her start, whereas Chloe Tryon departed for just six runs.

Deepti Sharma completed her half-century in 40 deliveries, which is also the joint-most 50-plus scores for the UP Warriorz alongside Tahila McGrath (4).

The all-rounder played a fighting knock of 55 runs off 43 balls, with six fours and one six as UP Warriorz crossed the 140-run mark.

For Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Lauren Bell (1/21), Shreyanka Patil (1/27), and Grace Harris (2/22) had decent outings with the ball. The star performer with the ball was Nadine de Klerk, who picked up a four-wicket haul (4/22), which broke the back of the UP Warriorz batting attack after a brilliant opening partnership.

Chasing 144 runs, Captain Smriti Mandhana and Grace Harris stitched a match-winning 108-run partnership for the opening wicket.

Mandhana also became the joint-most player to be involved in the most century stands in the tournament's history alongside Nat Sciver-Brunt (5). The elite list also includes Meg Lanning (4), Shafali Verma (4), and Hayley Matthews (4).

Grace Harris departed after playing a blistering knock of 75 off 37 balls, with 13 fours and two sixes.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru chased down the 144-run target in just 13.1 overs. Captain Smriti Mandhana remained unbeaten on 54 off 27 balls, with eight fours and two sixes, as the one-time WPL champion registered a dominating eight-wicket win.

For UP Warriorz, Shikha Pandey (1/36) and Asha Sobhana (1/24) were among the wicket-takers.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Aman W
UP Warriorz are really struggling. Their batting just collapses after a good start every single time. Deepti Sharma played a lone hand again. The management needs to seriously rethink their combination. They have too many match-winners on paper but zero coordination on the field.
P
Priya S
Nadine de Klerk with 4/22! She completely changed the game after that 74-run opening stand. Our Indian bowlers like Shreyanka also did well. The team balance of RCB is just perfect this year. Fingers crossed for the trophy! 🤞
D
David E
As a neutral fan, the quality of cricket in WPL is fantastic. Grace Harris's 75 off 37 was brutal. Chasing 144 in 13.1 overs shows the dominance. Hope the Warriorz can bounce back, the league needs more close contests.
R
Rohit P
Top of the table with 12 points! The men's team should take some notes on how to finish a season strongly 😅. Jokes aside, the women are making us proud. The way they are playing, they are the firm favourites for the title.
K
Kavitha C
While RCB's win was comprehensive, I feel the pitch was too flat, making it a batter's game. The bowlers, except for de Klerk, were taken for runs. The league should ensure more sporting wickets to test all skills. Just a respectful criticism from a cricket lover.

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