WPL 2026: Smriti Mandhana's RCB seal WPL 2026 final spot after crushing UP Warriorz by 8 wickets

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) officially punched their ticket to the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 final following a dominant nine-wicket win over the UP Warriorz at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara on January 29.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru in WPL 2026 final

Under the leadership of Smriti Mandhana, RCB has solidified its position at the summit of the standings. With 12 points collected from eight matches, the team boasts an impressive record of six wins and only two losses. This consistent performance is bolstered by a healthy Net Run Rate of +1.247, making them the team to beat as the tournament moves toward its conclusion.

The win was anchored by a stellar four-wicket haul from Nadine de Klerk and an explosive 37-ball 75 by Grace Harris, allowing RCB to snap a two-match losing streak at the most critical juncture of the season. Smriti Mandhana too contributed with a lightning 27-ball 54 to help RCB chase down a 144-run target with 41 balls to spare.

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After being put in to bat first, the UP Warriorz struggled to find momentum and were ultimately restricted to 143/8 in their 20 overs. The innings began on a promising note as captain Meg Lanning and all-rounder Deepti Sharma combined for a vital 74-run opening stand, marking the team’s first 50-plus partnership for the first wicket this season. However, the momentum shifted once Lanning was dismissed for a brisk 41 off 30 balls. Following her exit, the middle order faltered, with Amy Jones falling for just a single run and Chloe Tryon departing for six.

Despite the collapse around her, Deepti Sharma remained the anchor of the innings, completing a hard-fought half-century in 40 deliveries. This milestone moved her into a tie with Tahlia McGrath for the most 50-plus scores in the franchise's history. Deepti eventually finished with 55 off 43 balls, including six boundaries and a six, providing enough resistance to push the Warriorz past the 140-run mark. Harleen Deol contributed a brief 14 but was unable to convert her start into a more substantial score.

Nadine de Klerk's four-fer breaks UPW's back

RCB bowling attack was disciplined throughout, with Lauren Bell, Shreyanka Patil, and Grace Harris all putting in solid shifts to keep the scoring in check. However, the standout performer was undoubtedly Nadine de Klerk, whose devastating figures of 4/22 effectively broke the back of the Warriorz' batting lineup. Her ability to strike repeatedly after the initial opening partnership ensured that RCB remained in total control heading into the run chase.

Mandhana-Harris ton robust fifties to clinch the issue for RCB

RCB made short work of their 144-run target, reaching the mark in just 13.1 overs to secure a dominant eight-wicket victory. The chase was defined by a masterclass opening partnership between Captain Smriti Mandhana and Grace Harris, who put on 108 runs to effectively kill off the contest. With this stand, Mandhana equaled Nat Sciver-Brunt’s record for the most century partnerships in the tournament's history, joining an elite group that includes Meg Lanning, Shafali Verma, and Hayley Matthews.

Grace Harris was the primary aggressor during the opening stand, dismantling the UP Warriorz' bowling attack with a blistering 75 off just 37 deliveries. Her explosive innings was decorated with 13 boundaries and two sixes, providing the high-octane start that allowed RCB to finish the game well ahead of schedule. Though she eventually fell to the opposition, the damage was already done.

Smriti Mandhana anchored the remainder of the chase, finishing unbeaten on 54 off 27 balls. Her elegant knock included eight fours and two sixes, ensuring the 2024 champions crossed the finish line with clinical precision. On a difficult day for the Warriorz' bowlers, Shikha Pandey and Asha Sobhana managed to claim one wicket apiece, but they were unable to stem the flow of runs or prevent RCB from reclaiming their spot at the top of the table.