TATA WPL 2026: RCB crush UP Warriorz by Nine Wickets

By: WE Staff | Tuesday, 13 January 2026

• RCB registered a commanding nine-wicket win over UP Warriorz
• UP Warriorz slumped to 50/5 before Deepti Sharma and Deandra Dottin rescued them to 143/5
• Shreyanka Patil and Nadine de Klerk led a sharp RCB bowling effort with early breakthroughs

Royal Challengers Bengaluru continued their strong start to the Women’s Premier League 2026 with a dominant nine-wicket victory over UP Warriorz in the fifth match at the DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai, on January 12. The emphatic win marked RCB’s second consecutive triumph, becoming table toppers with +1.964 NRR.

Asked to bat first, UP Warriorz struggled to find stability as wickets fell in clusters. Early strikes from Lauren Bell, Shreyanka Patil, and Nadine de Klerk reduced the Warriorz to a precarious position, with their top order unable to counter RCB’s disciplined new-ball bowling. De Klerk made an immediate impact, removing Kiran Navgire and Shweta Sehrawat off successive deliveries, while Shreyanka struck twice in a single over to dismiss Meg Lanning and Phoebe Litchfield. At 50 for 5, UP Warriorz were firmly on the back foot.

A calm and measured unbeaten partnership between Deepti Sharma and Deandra Dottin helped UP Warriorz recover. The pair added 93 runs, opting for a risk-free approach before accelerating late. Deandra injected momentum with a six over long-on, while Deepti ensured a strong finish, guiding to 143 for 5.

RCB’s chase, however, turned the contest into a one-sided affair. Promoted to open, Grace Harris unleashed a breathtaking assault against her former franchise, smashing 85 off just 40 balls. Her 22-ball half-century and a brutal 32-run over off Dottin effectively ended the contest inside the powerplay. Smriti Mandhana provided the perfect foil, playing a composed yet fluent knock of 47 not out off 32 balls. RCB raced to 145 for 1, sealing victory with 47 balls to spare.

The result handed UP Warriorz their second straight defeat, while RCB sent a strong message as early title contenders.