In Match 5 of the TATA Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) delivered a statement performance at the DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. Facing off against the UP Warriorz, RCB secured a dominant nine-wicket victory, chasing down their target with a staggering 47 balls to spare. This clinical win, powered by a record-breaking opening stand and a disciplined bowling effort, not only extended RCB’s winning streak but also significantly bolstered their net run rate in the early stages of the tournament.
UP Warriorz Struggle Against Disciplined Bowling
The foundation of RCB’s triumph was laid early in the evening by their bowling unit. After winning the toss and electing to field, the Bengaluru side immediately put pressure on the UP Warriorz’ new opening pair. Captain Meg Lanning was joined by Harleen Deol at the top, a move intended to provide stability. However, the experiment struggled to gain momentum. Lauren Bell made the first breakthrough, dismissing Deol for just 5 runs after a sharp catch by Smriti Mandhana at mid-off.
The Warriorz found it difficult to break free as RCB’s bowlers maintained tight lines and lengths. Lanning, who survived a close call early on, was eventually dismissed for 14 when Radha Yadav plucked a brilliant low-diving catch off the bowling of Shreyanka Patil. Phoebe Litchfield attempted a brief counter-attack, even striking a spectacular switch-hit six, but her cameo was cut short by Patil just two balls later. The middle order collapsed further when Nadine de Klerk struck twice in her opening over, removing Kiran Navgire and Shweta Sehrawat, leaving the Warriorz reeling at 56/5 after the first ten overs.
Deepti and Dottin Lead the Recovery
With half the team back in the dugout and the scoreboard looking bleak, the experienced duo of Deepti Sharma and Deandra Dottin took on the task of rebuilding the innings. The pair exhibited great composure, rotating the strike effectively and picking their spots to find the boundary. Dottin, known for her raw power, cleared the ropes on several occasions, while Deepti played a more anchored role, picking up the pace toward the end of the innings.
Together, they stitched an unbeaten 93-run partnership for the sixth wicket, a recovery that allowed the Warriorz to reach a respectable total of 143/5 in their allotted 20 overs. Deepti Sharma finished on 45* off 35 balls, and Dottin remained unbeaten on 40* off 37. While the late surge gave the UP bowlers something to defend, the total ultimately seemed inadequate against a high-flying RCB batting lineup.
The Grace Harris Show
What followed in the second innings was a batting masterclass that left the crowd and the opposition stunned. Grace Harris, opening the batting for RCB, took total control of the chase from the first over. Alongside captain Smriti Mandhana, Harris dismantled the UP Warriorz’ bowling attack with clinical precision.
The defining moment of the match came in the sixth over when Harris faced Deandra Dottin. In a breathtaking display of power hitting, Harris smashed 32 runs in a single over, including multiple boundaries and towering sixes. This onslaught brought up her half-century in just 22 balls and propelled RCB to 78/0 by the end of the powerplay. The 32-run over equaled the record for the joint-most expensive over in TATA WPL history, matching a feat set only the previous night.
A Clinical Finish for Bengaluru
While Harris was the primary aggressor, Smriti Mandhana played a composed and effective supporting role. The duo’s chemistry at the crease was evident as they shared a magnificent 137-run opening partnership in just 70 deliveries. The UP Warriorz’ bowlers, including the likes of Sophie Ecclestone, had no answers to the onslaught.
Harris was eventually dismissed for a blistering 85 runs off just 40 balls, an innings punctuated by sheer dominance. Following her departure, Mandhana ensured there were no further hiccups, remaining unbeaten on 47* off 32 balls to guide her team across the finish line. RCB reached 145/1 in just 12.1 overs, sealing their second consecutive win of the season in emphatic style.
This victory marked RCB’s largest WPL win in terms of balls remaining, sending a clear message to the rest of the competition. With Grace Harris in such devastating form and the bowling unit firing in unison, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have firmly established themselves as the team to beat in TATA WPL 2026.