RCB Storm into WPL 2026 Final with Eight-Wicket Win over UP Warriorz

Vadodara, Jan 2026: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) booked their spot in the WPL 2026 final with a commanding eight-wicket victory over UP Warriorz at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. After two successive defeats that threatened their playoff hopes, captain Smriti Mandhana’s side delivered a dominant performance to secure their second WPL final appearance.

RCB won the toss and elected to field first. UP Warriorz openers Meg Lanning (41 off 30) and Deepti Sharma laid a solid foundation with a 74-run opening partnership. However, South African all-rounder Nadine de Klerk turned the match in RCB’s favor, dismissing Lanning and breaking the stand. De Klerk finished with outstanding figures of 4/22, dismantling the middle order despite Deepti Sharma’s fighting 55 off 43 balls. Grace Harris (2 wickets), Lauren Bell, and Shreyanka Patil (1 each) supported the attack effectively, restricting UP Warriorz to 143/8 in 20 overs.

In reply, RCB’s openers Grace Harris and Smriti Mandhana launched a blistering chase. Harris smashed 75 off 37 balls, including 13 fours and 2 sixes, forging a first-wicket stand of 108 runs. Mandhana anchored the innings and then accelerated to an unbeaten 54 off 27 balls, hitting 8 fours and 2 sixes, while Georgia Voll contributed 16 runs. RCB reached the target in just 13.1 overs, leaving no doubt about their dominance.

This emphatic win ended RCB’s mini-slump and confirmed their direct qualification to the final as table-toppers. The performance highlighted RCB’s all-round superiority, with the bowlers controlling the innings and the batters executing a ruthless chase.

With Nadine de Klerk’s game-changing bowling and the destructive opening partnership in the chase, RCB sent a clear message to their upcoming final opponent. The team now heads into the WPL final 2026 brimming with confidence, showcasing a perfect balance of attack, composure, and strategic brilliance.