As the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 heads into its final league stages, the battle for playoff positioning intensifies. Match 18 sees the table-topping Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) face off against a struggling UP Warriorz (UPW) at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. While RCB have looked like a well-oiled machine for most of the tournament, UPW is fighting to keep their campaign alive after a string of inconsistent performances.
RCB sit comfortably at the top of the table with 5 wins from 7 matches. Even with the late withdrawal of Ellyse Perry earlier in the season, Smriti Mandhana’s side has found heroes in every game. The opening duo of Mandhana and Grace Harris has been explosive. Nadine de Klerk has stepped up as a world-class all-rounder, frequently delivering 3-wicket hauls and finishing games with the bat. Recent losses to Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals have exposed a slight vulnerability in their middle-order if the top three fail early.
Currently at the bottom of the table, UPW needs a miracle to qualify. Their season has been defined by almost moments and a heavy reliance on overseas stars. Ashleigh Gardner’s leadership and individual brilliance have been the lone bright spots. With Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney in the mix, they have the firepower to outscore any team on their day. The Indian domestic core has struggled to provide support. Their bowling, led by Sophie Ecclestone, has often lacked the ‘killer instinct’ in the death overs.
RCB-W vs UPW, WPL 2026: Match details
- Date and Time: January 29 (Friday); 7:30 pm IST / 2:00 pm GMT
- Venue: BCA Stadium, Vadodara
RCB-W vs UPW, Head-to-Head Record in WPL
Matches played: 07 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru won: 04 | UP Warriorz won: 03 | No result/Tied: 0
BCA Stadium Pitch Report
The pitch at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara, has evolved into a fascinating surface as the tournament has progressed. Historically a batter-friendly venue with true bounce and a fast outfield, recent matches have seen the black-soil base offer lower and more inconsistent bounce. While power hitters can still dominate if they play straight, the surface has begun to grip, significantly assisting spinners and slow-ball specialists in the middle overs. Additionally, significant evening dew remains a decisive factor, often skidding the ball onto the bat during the second innings and making it difficult for bowlers to maintain their grip.
Squads
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Smriti Mandhana (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Shreyanka Patil, Georgia Voll, Nadine de Klerk, Radha Yadav, Lauren Bell, Linsey Smith, Prema Rawat, Arundhati Reddy, Grace Harris, Gautami Naik, Prathyoosha Kumar, D. Hemalatha, Sayali Satghare
UP Warriorz: Ashleigh Gardner (c), Beth Mooney (wk), Sophie Devine, Renuka Singh Thakur, Bharti Fulmali, Titas Sadhu, Kashee Gautam, Kanika Ahuja, Tanuja Kanwer, Georgia Wareham, Anushka Sharma, Happy Kumari, Kim Garth, Yastika Bhatia, Shivani Singh, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Ayushi Soni
Also READ: WPL 2026: Historic hundred by Nat Sciver-Brunt guides Mumbai Indians to victory against RCB
RCB-W vs UPW, WPL 2026: Today’s Match Prediction
Case 1:
- RCB wins the toss and bowls first
- UP Warriorz powerplay score: 45-55 (6 overs)
- UP Warriorz total score: 180-190
Case 2:
- UP Warriorz wins the toss and bowls first
- RCB’s powerplay score: 40-50 (6 overs)
- RCB’s total score: 190-200
Match result: Royal Challengers Bengaluru to win the contest.
Also READ: Here’s why BCCI excludes Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium from hosting WPL and other Women’s cricket events
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
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