RCB Women Cruise into WPL 2026 Final After Clinical Win Over UP Warriorz

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women delivered a commanding all-round performance to book their spot in the Women’s Premier League 2026 final, brushing aside UP Warriorz by eight wickets in Vadodara. A disciplined bowling effort followed by an explosive chase ensured RCB completed the task with more than six overs to spare, effectively ending UP Warriorz’s playoff hopes.

Asked to bat first, UP Warriorz began steadily through Meg Lanning and Deepti Sharma, who put together their most assured opening stand of the season. After a cautious start, both batters found momentum during the latter half of the powerplay, lifting the run rate and giving UPW early stability. Deepti, promoted to open for the first time this season, played with authority and reached a well-constructed half-century.

However, the innings lost shape once Nadine de Klerk entered the attack. Her incisive spell in the middle overs dismantled UPW’s progress, removing key batters and stalling scoring at a critical phase. With wickets falling regularly, UP Warriorz struggled to accelerate at the death and finished with a total that looked below par on a good batting surface.

RCB’s reply was assertive from the outset. Grace Harris wasted little time in shifting momentum, punishing loose deliveries and dismantling the UPW bowling attack with clean, powerful strokeplay. Her aggressive intent ensured the required rate never became a factor. At the other end, Smriti Mandhana played the perfect supporting role, rotating strike efficiently before unleashing her trademark shots once set.

Even after Harris departed following a rapid half-century, Mandhana continued with composure and confidence, guiding RCB home without fuss. The ease of the chase underlined RCB’s dominance throughout the league stage, where they finished comfortably at the top of the table.

With this win, Royal Challengers Bengaluru earned direct entry into the final, while UP Warriorz were left reflecting on missed opportunities in a season that never quite came together.