Warriorz vs Royal Challengers: Royal Challengers Bengaluru delivered a statement performance in the Women’s Premier League 2026, crushing UP Warriorz by eight wickets to secure a direct berth in the final. The emphatic victory not only confirmed RCB’s place at the top of the standings but also left UP Warriorz on the brink of elimination, with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread.
In a match that showcased RCB’s all-round strength, the Bengaluru side bounced back brilliantly after a shaky start in the field, thanks to outstanding bowling spells from Nadine de Klerk and Grace Harris. Harris then capped off a memorable night with a blistering half-century, turning the chase into a one-sided affair and underlining RCB’s title credentials.
Warriorz vs Royal Challengers: Match Context and Stakes
The warriorz vs royal challengers clash came at a crucial stage of the WPL 2026 league phase. With playoff spots up for grabs, both teams entered the match knowing that the result could define their season.
For Royal Challengers Bengaluru, a win would confirm their place in the final and allow them to finish the league stage on top. For UP Warriorz, the game was close to a must-win, as they were already struggling at the bottom of the table with a poor net run rate.
Smriti Mandhana won the toss and chose to field first, a decision that initially looked risky but ultimately paid rich dividends.
UP Warriorz Get Off to a Flying Start
UP Warriorz began their innings with intent and confidence. The new opening combination of Meg Lanning and Deepti Sharma worked beautifully in the Powerplay, neutralising the RCB bowlers and finding gaps with ease.
The duo raced to 50 without loss inside the Powerplay and stitched together a solid 74-run partnership for the first wicket. For a brief period, it appeared that UP Warriorz were finally addressing their long-standing issue of slow starts.
Meg Lanning, in particular, looked fluent, while Deepti Sharma provided stability at the other end. At that stage, a total well beyond 160 seemed within reach.
Nadine de Klerk Triggers the Collapse
Just when UP Warriorz looked set for a big score, the momentum shifted dramatically. Nadine de Klerk emerged as the chief architect of RCB’s comeback, delivering a superb spell of controlled and aggressive bowling.
She struck twice in quick succession, removing key batters and breaking the rhythm of the innings. De Klerk later returned to claim two more wickets, finishing with excellent figures of 4 for 22.
Her spell exposed a recurring weakness in the UP Warriorz lineup — the inability to rebuild after losing wickets. Once Meg Lanning was dismissed, the innings unravelled rapidly.
Grace Harris Shines with the Ball
Adding to UP Warriorz’ troubles was an unexpected bowling contribution from Grace Harris. Bowling for the first time in the tournament, Harris delivered an impactful spell, picking up 2 for 22.
She removed Harleen Deol and Chloe Tryon at crucial moments, ensuring that UP Warriorz never regained control. The middle and lower order failed to provide resistance, and wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals.
Despite Deepti Sharma trying to hold one end, UP Warriorz could not capitalise on their strong start.
UP Warriorz Restricted to 143 for 8
From a position of strength, UP Warriorz slumped to 143 for 8, a total that looked below par on a good batting surface. What could have been a commanding score turned into a missed opportunity.
The collapse once again highlighted a pattern that has plagued UP Warriorz throughout the season — promising starts followed by a lack of conversion.
For Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the disciplined bowling effort set the perfect platform for the chase.
Warriorz vs Royal Challengers: RCB’s Chase Begins in Style
Chasing 144, Royal Challengers Bengaluru started aggressively, immediately putting pressure on the UP Warriorz bowlers. Smriti Mandhana and Grace Harris set the tone from the first over, finding boundaries with elegance and power.
By the end of the Powerplay, RCB had dragged the required run rate below six, making it clear that the contest was slipping away from UP Warriorz.
The chase soon felt less like a competitive run pursuit and more like a highlight reel of boundaries.
Grace Harris Unleashes a Batting Masterclass
Grace Harris was the standout performer of the night. After contributing with the ball, she turned the game completely on its head with a sensational batting display.
Harris smashed 75 off just 37 balls, playing fearless cricket and targeting every bowler with authority. Her innings was filled with clean striking, smart placement, and sheer power.
She repeatedly stepped down the track to spinners, while also punishing loose deliveries from the seamers. The UP Warriorz attack had no answers as Harris took complete control.
Smriti Mandhana’s Calm and Classy Support
While Harris provided the fireworks, Smriti Mandhana played the perfect supporting role. Calm, composed, and elegant, Mandhana anchored the innings beautifully.
She brought up her half-century in just 26 balls, her second fifty of the season. Mandhana’s ability to rotate the strike and find boundaries at will ensured there was never any pressure during the chase.
The partnership between Mandhana and Harris was built on clear communication and mutual understanding, with both players complementing each other’s styles perfectly.
RCB Seal Victory with 41 Balls to Spare
The end came swiftly. Smriti Mandhana finished the match in style, sweeping a full delivery over mid-wicket for four to seal an eight-wicket victory with 41 balls remaining.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru completed the chase with ease, underlining the gulf between the two sides on the night.
With this win, RCB also completed a dominant double over UP Warriorz in WPL 2026, having earlier beaten them by nine wickets in Navi Mumbai.
Player of the Match: Grace Harris
Grace Harris was deservedly named Player of the Match for her outstanding all-round performance.
Speaking after the game, Harris expressed her delight at being classified as an all-rounder and said she enjoyed being given the ball by Smriti Mandhana. She revealed that she had made technical adjustments to her batting, focusing on her head position and reverting to older patterns that made her feel freer at the crease.
Harris also spoke about her partnership with Mandhana, praising the RCB captain for her composure and tactical awareness.
Captain Smriti Mandhana Reflects on Team Effort
RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana praised her bowlers for their fightback after UP Warriorz’ strong start. She singled out Grace Harris and Nadine de Klerk for their crucial contributions and credited the entire bowling unit for executing their plans.
Mandhana highlighted the team’s focus on staying practical and emotionally balanced, adding that consistent messaging from the support staff had played a key role in RCB’s success.
She also mentioned that the team would enjoy a short break before regrouping for the final.
Meg Lanning Admits UP Warriorz Were Outplayed
UP Warriorz captain Meg Lanning did not shy away from acknowledging her team’s shortcomings. She described the defeat as disappointing and admitted that her side failed to convert a good start into a competitive total.
Lanning pointed out that the inability to capitalise on promising positions had been a recurring issue throughout the tournament. She also praised RCB for outplaying UP Warriorz in all departments.
Warriorz vs Royal Challengers: What This Result Means
The warriorz vs royal challengers result has major implications for the WPL 2026 standings.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru move to 12 points, confirming their place in the final and finishing at the top of the league table. Their consistent performances throughout the season make them strong contenders to lift the trophy once again.
For UP Warriorz, the defeat leaves them at the bottom of the table with four points and the worst net run rate. While they are still mathematically alive, their qualification hopes depend on dramatic results in the remaining matches.
What’s Next in WPL 2026?
With one finalist confirmed, attention now turns to the remaining league games. Two playoff spots are still up for grabs, with four teams in contention.
Up next, Gujarat Giants face Mumbai Indians in a crucial encounter. A Gujarat win would secure them a place in the Eliminator, while a Mumbai victory would almost guarantee their qualification, pending final confirmation.
Also read: WPL First Century Player Name: Nat Sciver-Brunt Creates History With First-Ever WPL Century
conclusion
The warriorz vs royal challengers clash was a perfect showcase of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s dominance in WPL 2026. From a clinical bowling comeback to a ruthless batting display, RCB ticked every box.
Grace Harris’ all-round brilliance and Smriti Mandhana’s leadership stood out as defining factors in a win that felt inevitable once RCB took control.
As the league stage nears its conclusion, Royal Challengers Bengaluru look relaxed, confident, and ready for the final showdown — while UP Warriorz are left to reflect on another missed opportunity in a challenging campaign.
