The stage is set for a thrilling Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 encounter as Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (RCB) prepare to take on the UP Warriorz Women (UPW) on Monday at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Fresh off a nail-biting last-ball victory, RCB will be hunting for back-to-back wins, while the Warriorz are desperate to open their account after a narrow defeat in their opener.
RCB's Momentum and Middle-Order Concerns
RCB's campaign began with a spectacular heist against defending champions Mumbai Indians, a win engineered by Nadine de Klerk's sensational finishing. The South African all-rounder smashed an incredible sequence of 6, 4, 6, 4 to chase down 18 runs off the final four deliveries, showcasing remarkable composure under extreme pressure. This victory, however, also exposed some chinks in the armour.
The new opening pair of Grace Harris and captain Smriti Mandhana provided a brisk start, but the middle order witnessed a collapse of 5 wickets for just 25 runs. The absence of star all-rounder Ellyse Perry and a delayed comeback for Pooja Vastrakar were felt keenly, underscoring a vulnerability that the team management will be eager to address. RCB may consider tactical changes to bolster their batting lineup for this crucial match.
UP Warriorz Seek Redemption After Valiant Chase
On the other side, UP Warriorz, led by Meg Lanning, are coming off a heart-breaking 10-run loss to the Gujarat Giants. Their chase of a tournament-record target of 208 was powered by a blistering 78 from the explosive Phoebe Litchfield. While the fight shown was commendable, the defeat highlighted areas for improvement.
Apart from Sophie Ecclestone's tidy spell of 2/32, the UPW bowling attack struggled to contain the flow of runs, conceding over nine runs per over on average. The team will need a more collective effort with the ball to challenge RCB's powerful batting unit. Captain Lanning will also look to lead from the front with the bat after a quiet start to her campaign.
A Battle Evenly Poised for a Run-Fest
This contest is perfectly balanced on paper, with both teams holding an identical 3-3 head-to-head record in the WPL. The conditions at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai are traditionally conducive to high scores, promising a run-fest for fans.
The key individual battles could define the outcome: Nadine de Klerk's finishing prowess versus UPW's death bowling, and Phoebe Litchfield's explosive batting against RCB's pace attack led by Lauren Bell. How the new opening combination of Harris and Mandhana fares against the experience of Shikha Pandey and the guile of Deepti Sharma will also be crucial in the powerplay.
With both sides hungry for early momentum in the tournament, this Monday night fixture promises edge-of-the-seat excitement, drama, and plenty of cricketing fireworks under the lights.
Squads:
UP Warriorz Women: Meg Lanning (c), Kiran Navgire, Phoebe Litchfield, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Shweta Sehrawat (w), Deandra Dottin, Sophie Ecclestone, Asha Sobhana, Shikha Pandey, Kranti Gaud, Chloe Tryon, Charli Knott, Gongadi Trisha, Shipra Giri, Suman Meena, Simran Shaikh, Pratika Rawal.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women: Smriti Mandhana (c), Grace Harris, Dayalan Hemalatha, Richa Ghosh (w), Radha Yadav, Nadine de Klerk, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Prema Rawat, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell, Pooja Vastrakar, Georgia Voll, Kumar Prathyoosha, Sayali Satghare, Gautami Naik.
