In an electrifying semifinal clash of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) once again showcased their championship pedigree, defeating UP Warriorz (UPW) by an emphatic 8 wickets. The victory secures RCB’s place in the WPL 2026 final, highlighting the team’s consistent dominance throughout the tournament. The chase of 144 runs was executed with precision and aggression, culminating in a match-winning performance by captain Smriti Mandhana, who remained unbeaten on 54 off 31 balls.
RCB had previously chased down a similar target earlier in the season in just 12.1 overs. This time, they required slightly more time, completing the run chase in a clinical 13.1 overs, once again proving why they are considered among the tournament favourites.
Grace Harris and Smriti Mandhana Lead RCB to Victory
Grace Harris continued her scintillating form, echoing her earlier performances this season. After a blistering 85 in the first encounter against UPW, Harris dominated again, scoring 75 runs off just 37 balls. Her innings was highlighted by aggressive strokes, including seven boundaries in the opening overs off Kranti Gaud, setting the pace for RCB’s chase.
While Harris attacked with flamboyance, Smriti Mandhana provided the perfect anchor, compiling an unbeaten 54 off 31 deliveries. The opening pair forged a massive 108-run partnership, effectively reducing the chase to a mere formality. Their combined efforts exemplified RCB’s batting depth and mental composure in high-pressure situations.
UP Warriorz Innings: Strong Start But Faltered Later
Earlier in the innings, UP Warriorz posted a modest total of 143/8 in 20 overs, despite a solid opening partnership of 74 runs between Meg Lanning (41 off 30 balls) and Deepti Sharma (55 off 43 balls). Lanning’s dismissal to Nadine de Klerk ended the promising stand and triggered a middle-order collapse.
| UP Warriorz Batting | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meg Lanning (c) | 41 | 30 | 6 | 1 | 136.66 |
| Deepti Sharma | 55 | 43 | 6 | 1 | 127.9 |
| Amy Jones (wk) | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 50 |
| Harleen Deol | 14 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 100 |
| Chloe Tryon | 6 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 85.71 |
| Shweta Sehrawat | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 70 |
| Simran Shaikh | 10 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 90.9 |
| Sophie Ecclestone | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Asha Sobhana | 0* | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Shikha Pandey | 0* | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Extras | 9 | – | – | – | – |
| Total (20 overs) | 143/8 | – | – | – | – |
UP Warriorz bowling saw occasional breakthroughs but lacked consistency. Nadine de Klerk stood out with figures of 4/22, dismantling the middle order, while Grace Harris contributed with 2 crucial wickets. Other bowlers like Lauren Bell and Shreyanka Patil supported with key overs but couldn’t prevent RCB from taking control.
| UP Warriorz Bowling | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lauren Bell | 4 | 0 | 21 | 1 | 5.25 |
| Sayali Satghare | 2 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 10.5 |
| Shreyanka Patil | 4 | 0 | 27 | 1 | 6.75 |
| Arundhati Reddy | 1 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| Nadine de Klerk | 4 | 0 | 22 | 4 | 5.5 |
| Grace Harris | 3 | 0 | 22 | 2 | 7.33 |
| Radha Yadav | 2 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 5.5 |
RCB Chase: Clinical and Dominant
RCB’s run chase was orchestrated by the explosive opening pair of Harris and Mandhana, who dominated the bowling from the first over. Despite occasional resistance from UPW bowlers, RCB’s approach was aggressive yet calculated.
| RCB Batting | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grace Harris | 75 | 37 | 13 | 2 | 202.7 |
| Smriti Mandhana (c) | 54* | 31 | 6 | 1 | 174.19 |
| Others | 15 | 12 | 1 | 0 | – |
| Total (13.1 overs) | 144/2 | – | – | – | – |
The key moments in the innings included a flurry of boundaries from Harris early on, followed by Smriti Mandhana’s controlled aggression. Both players combined power and placement to ensure the target was reached with 7.5 overs to spare.
RCB vs UPW 2026: Playing Elevens
Royal Challengers Bengaluru:
- 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
UP Warriorz:
- 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
Live Updates and Key Moments of RCB vs UPW
The match featured several high-octane moments, including:
- Harris’s opening assault: Multiple boundaries in the first few overs, giving RCB an early momentum.
- Mandhana’s composed innings: She played key singles, rotated strike, and capitalized on loose deliveries.
- De Klerk’s crucial breakthroughs: Took 4 wickets to stem UPW’s momentum.
- Middle-order collapses: UPW’s Harleen Deol, Chloe Tryon, and Shweta Sehrawat fell cheaply under pressure.
Live Score Snapshot Table
| Overs | RCB Score | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 57/0 | Harris and Mandhana at the crease, multiple boundaries. |
| 8 | 93/0 | Smriti hits 3 consecutive fours, RCB maintains aggressive approach. |
| 10 | 115/1 | Harris dismissed for 75; Smriti anchors innings. |
| 13.1 | 144/2 | RCB completes chase, secures 8-wicket win. |
Pitch Report
The Kotambi Stadium pitch proved to be a testing surface for both teams. Known for being relatively slow, the pitch offered assistance to both spinners and pacers, making batting tricky. Historically, teams batting first had a slight advantage, but RCB’s aggressive batting negated this factor.
RCB vs UPW Head-to-Head in WPL
| Total Matches | RCB Wins | UPW Wins | Ties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
RCB continues to hold the upper hand in their rivalry, especially in high-stakes games like the semifinals.
WPL 2026 Points Table Impact
With this victory, RCB consolidates their dominance in the tournament standings.
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Points | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RCB Women (Q) | 7 | 5 | 2 | 10 | 0.947 |
| 2 | Gujarat Giants Women | 7 | 4 | 3 | 8 | -0.271 |
| 3 | Mumbai Indians Women | 7 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 0.146 |
| 4 | Delhi Capitals Women | 7 | 3 | 4 | 6 | -0.164 |
| 5 | UP Warriorz | 6 | 2 | 4 | 4 | -0.769 |
Broadcasting and Streaming Details
- Live Telecast (India): Star Sports Network
- Live Streaming (India): JioHotstar App and Website
Fans globally are encouraged to follow live updates and scores to witness the RCB vs UPW HIGHLIGHTS WPL 2026 as the final approaches.
Also read: WPL 2026 Points Table: Complete Standings and Playoff Scenarios for Women’s Premier League 2026
Analysis: Key Players and Match Impact
Grace Harris:
- Destructive opening innings
- Multiple boundaries and strategic hitting
- Claimed 2 wickets with crucial breakthroughs
Smriti Mandhana:
- Steady anchor in a high-pressure chase
- Unbeaten 54 off 31 balls
- Controlled pacing ensured a comfortable finish
Nadine de Klerk:
- Four wickets in crucial middle-order collapse
- Economical bowling in death overs
RCB’s team performance underlined their balanced squad, capable of both explosive batting and disciplined bowling.
Conclusion
The RCB vs UPW HIGHLIGHTS WPL 2026 reflect a match dominated by class and composure. From a disciplined bowling attack to explosive batting performances, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have proven once again why they are favorites for the WPL 2026 title. With the final looming, Smriti Mandhana and Grace Harris remain central to RCB’s title ambitions.
UP Warriorz will rue missed opportunities despite strong individual performances from Deepti Sharma and Meg Lanning. RCB’s victory by 8 wickets was comprehensive and sends a strong message to their final opponents.
Stay tuned for the WPL 2026 final updates as RCB aims to cap off a brilliant season with the championship.