WPL 2026: Smriti Mandhana & Grace Harris Power RCB to Dominant 8-Wicket Win Over UP Warriorz Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) delivered a statement performance in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026, dismantling UP Warriorz with a dominant 8-wicket victory that sent shockwaves through the tournament.
Chasing a target of 144, RCB raced to 147/2 in just 13.1 overs, turning what could have been a competitive contest into a one-sided masterclass in modern T20 cricket.
This wasn’t just another win worth two points — it was a warning to the rest of the league. RCB look like a team on a mission, and their balance, firepower, and confidence suggest they are serious title contenders this season.
UP Warriorz Innings: Bright Start, Bitter Finish
Batting first, UP Warriorz posted 143/8 in 20 overs, a total that looked respectable but never quite threatening. They began well, with their top order showing intent, but the momentum faded dramatically in the middle and death overs as wickets fell at crucial intervals.
Meg Lanning Leads from the Front
Captain Meg Lanning played a classy knock of 41 off 30 balls, striking 6 fours and a six. She set the tone early, keeping the scoreboard ticking during the powerplay with elegant strokeplay and smart placement. However, once Lanning departed, UP lost rhythm and struggled to accelerate.
Deepti Sharma’s Responsible Fifty
Deepti Sharma anchored the innings with a steady 55 off 43 balls, hitting six boundaries and one six. She rotated strike well and tried to hold the innings together, but lacked support from the other end as RCB’s bowlers tightened their grip.
Middle Order Collapse Hurts UP Warriorz
UP Warriorz’ biggest downfall was their middle-order failure:
- Amy Jones – 1 run
- Harleen Deol – 14 runs
- Chloe Tryon – 6 runs
- Shweta Sehrawat – 7 runs
These batters were expected to provide a late surge but couldn’t find timing or gaps. In the final five overs, UP missed the chance to push beyond 150 — a score that might have made the chase more challenging.
RCB Bowling: Discipline Meets Strategy
RCB’s bowlers laid the foundation for victory with a controlled and intelligent performance.
Nadine De Klerk—The Game Changer
De Klerk produced a match-defining spell, claiming four key wickets — including Meg Lanning, Amy Jones, Simran Shaikh, and Sophie Ecclestone. Her variations and accuracy choked UP’s scoring rate at a critical stage.
Grace Harris’ All-Round Impact
Grace Harris also made an impact with the ball before turning the game upside down with the bat.
RCB Batting: A Lesson in Aggressive Chasing
While 144 can be a competitive T20 total, RCB made the chase look effortless.
Grace Harris—The Match Winner
Grace Harris unleashed a stunning counterattack, smashing 75 runs off just 37 balls at a strike rate of 202.70, including 13 fours and 2 sixes. From the very first over, she put UP’s bowlers under pressure with fearless strokeplay — crisp drives, powerful pulls, and towering hits down the ground.
Her knock tilted the match decisively during the powerplay.
Smriti Mandhana’s Captain’s Knock
RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana played a superb unbeaten 54 off 27 balls, hitting 8 fours and 2 sixes. She blended elegance with aggression, ensuring there was no panic in the chase. Mandhana controlled the tempo while Harris attacked, forming a perfect partnership.
The Perfect T20 Chase
RCB’s run chase was a blueprint for modern T20 success:
- Rapid scoring in the powerplay
- Maintaining wickets in hand
- Constant strike rotation
- Relentless boundary hitting
Finishing the match in just 13.1 overs showcased RCB’s confidence and dominance.
Key Turning Points
- Nadine De Klerk dismissing Meg Lanning
- UP Warriorz middle-order collapse
- Grace Harris’ explosive powerplay assault
- Mandhana’s composed, unbeaten innings
Strategic Difference
| UP Warriorz | RCB |
| Middle order failure | Explosive top order |
| Slow death overs | Match sealed in powerplay |
| Poor strike rotation | Consistent boundaries |
Player of the Match
Grace Harris — a complete all-round show with ball and bat.
Impact on WPL 2026 Standings
| Team | Played | Won | Lost | NRR | Points |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 8 | 6 | 2 | +1.247 | 12 |
| Gujarat Giants | 7 | 4 | 3 | -0.271 | 8 |
| Mumbai Indians | 7 | 3 | 4 | +0.146 | 6 |
| Delhi Capitals | 7 | 3 | 4 | -0.164 | 6 |
| UP Warriorz | 7 | 2 | 5 | -1.146 | 4 |
RCB’s net run rate boost strengthens their playoff push, while UP Warriorz must urgently address batting depth and middle-order stability.
Conclusion
This match was more than a victory — it was domination. Grace Harris’ explosive knock, Smriti Mandhana’s captaincy class, and Nadine De Klerk’s lethal bowling combined to deliver one of the most commanding performances of WPL 2026.
With momentum on their side, RCB have emerged as one of the strongest title contenders. If this form continues, the road to the WPL trophy might well run through Bengaluru.
Also Read: WPL 2026 Thriller: Gujarat Giants Beat Delhi Capitals by 3 Runs | Updated Points Table