Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women vs UP Warriorz Women – Match Preview (WPL 2026)

Date: 12 January 2026
Time: 14:00 GMT / 20:00 IST
Venue: Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai
Match: Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women vs UP Warriorz Women
Series: Women's Premier League 2026
Format: T20

Match Context

As the 2026 Women's Premier League (WPL) enters its fifth match, the spotlight turns to a high-stakes clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (RCBW) and UP Warriorz Women (UPW). This encounter promises to be a fascinating contest between two evenly matched teams, with RCBW enjoying the slight edge in head-to-head history and UPW looking to make a strong statement under the leadership of Australian captain Meg Lanning.

Team Form and Performance

Royal Challurers Bengaluru Women

RCBW began their campaign with a thrilling victory, powered by Nadine de Klerk and Grace Harris. De Klerk was the standout performer, scoring an unbeaten 63 off 44 balls and picking up 4 wickets for 26 runs. Harris also impressed with a quickfire 25 off 12 balls. The RCBW side is bolstered by the presence of Smriti Mandhana, who is expected to anchor the innings and provide the team with a solid foundation.

UP Warriorz Women

UP Warriorz, led by Meg Lanning, showed promise in their opening game against the Gujarat Giants, though they narrowly missed out on a win. Lanning and Phoebe Litchfield were the standout performers, with Lanning scoring a solid 30 and Litchfield hitting a blistering 78 off 40 balls. The bowling attack, led by Sophie Ecclestone and Kranti Gaud, is expected to test the RCBW batters with tight lines and aggressive spells.

Head-to-Head Record

The two teams have faced each other six times in the WPL, with RCBW and UPW each winning three matches. This makes the match a classic battle of momentum and individual brilliance.

Pitch and Weather Conditions

The pitch at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy is historically batter-friendly, with an average first-innings score of 185.33 in 2026. The surface offers good bounce and carry, allowing batters to play their shots freely. Teams batting second have historically had the edge in win percentage (67%), indicating that a good total can be difficult to defend.

Weather conditions are expected to be clear, with no chance of rain. The temperature will range between 19°C and 32°C, ideal for a full game.

Key Players to Watch

• Smriti Mandhana (RCBW) – The experienced opener is crucial for setting the tone. If she scores over 50, RCBW have a 9% win rate in those matches.
• Nadine de Klerk (RCBW) – A dual threat with the bat and ball, she can turn the game in her team’s favor.
• Meg Lanning (UPW) – A world-class captain, Lanning is expected to lead from the front with both bat and ball.
• Phoebe Litchfield (UPW) – The Australian all-rounder has a boundary rate of 24% in her international innings and is a key match-winner.
• Sophie Ecclestone (UPW) – The leg-spinner is known for her tight lines and ability to pick up wickets in the middle overs.

Predictive Insights

• RCBW batting first: Expected to post 160+.
• UPW batting first: Expected to score 150+.
• Player of the Match: Lauren Bell (RCBW) – Her ability to control the middle overs and pick up crucial wickets makes her a strong contender.
• Most Sixes: Likely shared between Grace Harris (RCBW) and Phoebe Litchfield (UPW).
• Wicket-Takers: Lauren Bell (RCBW) and Sophie Ecclestone (UPW) are expected to lead the way.

Tactical Battle

RCBW will look to dominate the powerplay with aggressive strokeplay, aiming to put pressure on the UPW bowlers. If Mandhana and Harris can get off to a strong start, the middle order, led by de Klerk, will look to accelerate the scoring.

UPW, on the other hand, will rely on their disciplined bowling and Lanning’s leadership to restrict RCBW to a manageable total. If Litchfield and Lanning can take early wickets, UPW will look to capitalize with their explosive batting.

Prediction

Given the form of both teams and the conditions, this match is expected to be closely contested. However, with the slight edge in head-to-head and the form of key players like Smriti Mandhana and Nadine de Klerk, Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women are slight favorites to come out on top.

Final Prediction: Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women by 5-10 runs

Broadcast and Live Streaming

• India: Star Sports Network; Hotstar
• Australia: Fox Cricket; Kayo Sports
• USA & Canada: Sling TV, Willow TV
• UK: Sky Sports Cricket
• South Africa & Sub-Saharan Africa: SuperSport
• New Zealand: Sky Sports 1

Conclusion

This RCBW vs UPW clash is one of the most anticipated matches of the early WPL 2026 season. With a balanced contest on a batting-friendly pitch, it promises to be a thrilling encounter. Cricket fans around the world can look forward to a high-quality match that could set the tone for the rest of the tournament.
“`