• Royal Challengers Bengaluru thrashed UP Warriorz by nine wickets with 47 balls to spare in the WPL 2026 clash.

  • Grace Harris was adjudged Player of the Match for her explosive 85 off 40 deliveries.

Fans go berserk as Grace Harris and Smriti Mandhana’s fireworks drive RCB to a dominant victory over UP Warriorz in WPL 2026
Fans go berserk as Grace Harris and Smriti Mandhanas fireworks drive RCB to a dominant victory over UP Warriorz in WPL 2026 (Image source: X)

The DY Patil Stadium witnessed a cricketing masterclass on Monday night as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Women dismantled the UP Warriorz (UPW) in the fifth match of . In a clinical display of disciplined bowling followed by a ruthless batting assault, RCB chased down a target of 144 in just 12.1 overs, sending a clear message to the rest of the league. The victory, fuelled by an explosive partnership between Grace Harris and skipper Smriti Mandhana, saw the Bengaluru franchise leap to the top of the table.

Disciplined RCB bowling stifles UP Warriorz after mid-inning collapse

Winning the toss and electing to bowl, RCB’s attack justified the decision immediately. Lauren Bell set the tone early, removing Harleen Deol (11) in the fifth over. However, the real destruction occurred during a nightmare stretch for the Warriorz between the 7th and 9th overs. Shreyanka Patil turned the game on its head, dismissing the legendary Meg Lanning (14) and the dangerous Phoebe Litchfield (20) in quick succession.

The Warriorz’s middle order crumbled like a house of cards. Nadine de Klerk joined the party by removing Kiran Navgire and Shweta Sehrawat on consecutive deliveries, leaving UPW reeling at a disastrous 50/5 in 8.2 overs. For a moment, it looked like the match might end prematurely.

A recovery of sorts was staged by Deepti Sharma (45* off 35) and Deandra Dottin (40* off 37), who stitched together an unbeaten 93-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Despite their gritty efforts to drag the score to 143/5, the RCB bowlers remained economical. Patil finished with standout figures of 2/50, while Arundhati Reddy strangled the scoring rate with an economy of just 4.50.

Grace Harris and Smriti Mandhana decimate UP Warriorz as RCB Secure thumping 9-wicket win

If the first half was about RCB’s discipline, the second half was about pure, unadulterated power. Opening the batting, Grace Harris looked like a woman possessed. From the first ball of the chase, she dismantled the UPW bowling attack with surgical precision. Harris reached her half-century in just 22 balls, eventually finishing with a staggering 85 off 40 deliveries, decorated with 10 boundaries and 5 towering sixes.

At the other end, Smriti Mandhana played the perfect foil, punctuating the chase with her trademark elegant drives and lofted shots. The duo brought up the team’s 100 in just 7.5 overs, effectively ending the contest before the strategic timeout. Mandhana remained unbeaten on 47 off 32 balls, ensuring there were no late hiccups.

The only blemish for RCB was the late dismissal of Harris in the 12th over, but by then, the damage was irreversible. walked in to bat and RCB sealed the victory with 47 balls to spare. This 9-wicket win not only earns RCB two points but significantly boosts their Net Run Rate, establishing them as the team to beat in the 2026 season.

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About the Author:
Akash Thapa is a dedicated cricket journalist with three years of experience in the media industry. A BA (JMC) graduate from VIPS, GGSIPU, and a postgraduate in MAJMC from the University of Lucknow, Akash combines his academic credentials with a deep-rooted passion for cricket.His background as a former junior-level wrestler and cricketer enriches his insightful analysis and commentary on the game. Known for his inventive approach to writing and his commitment to capturing the nuances of cricket, Akash is a true aficionado of the sport.Connect with Akash on , , and .