WPL 2026: Bengaluru Dominates UP Warriorz; Grace Harris Misses Century Despite Explosive Batting as RCB Records Historic Win
One-Sided Victory for Bengaluru: UP Warriorz Bowlers Helpless as Match Ends in Just 12.1 Overs
In the fifth match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) delivered a stunning performance to hand UP Warriorz a crushing defeat. Bengaluru’s gameplay was so aggressive that they chased down the 144-run target set by UP in just 12.1 overs, proving their dominance in the league.
However, cricket fans faced a slight disappointment for the second consecutive day as another batter failed to reach a century. RCB’s Grace Harris, despite being in sublime form, was dismissed for 85 runs, falling short of her ton. This follows a similar incident where Gujarat Giants’ Sophie Devine also missed a century recently.
Match Report: UP Warriorz’s Poor Start and Deepti-Dottin’s Fightback
Playing at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai, UP Warriorz won the toss and elected to bat first, but the decision backfired early on.
- Top Order Collapse: UP had an extremely poor start, losing 5 key wickets by the 8.2-over mark with just 50 runs on the board. At one point, it seemed they wouldn’t even cross 100.
- Middle Order Recovery: Deepti Sharma and Deandra Dottin took charge after the collapse. The duo shared an unbeaten 93-run partnership for the sixth wicket to take the team to a respectable total. Deepti Sharma scored 45* while Dottin contributed 40*, helping UP finish at 143/5 in 20 overs.
The Grace Harris and Smriti Mandhana ‘Power Show’
Chasing 144, Bengaluru’s openers attacked the UP bowlers from the very first ball. The pair of Grace Harris and Captain Smriti Mandhana rained boundaries across the ground.
- Grace Harris’s Firepower: Harris smashed 85 runs off just 40 balls, including 10 fours and 5 sixes. She was cruising toward a century but got out while attempting an aggressive shot as the target neared completion.
- Captain’s Knock: Smriti Mandhana played a consistent inning, scoring an unbeaten 51* off 32 balls. The duo shared a massive 137-run opening stand.
- Rapid Victory: RCB reached 145/1 in just 12.1 overs. For UP, Shikha Pandey was the lone wicket-taker.
Historic Achievement: Third Fastest Win in WPL History
By finishing the match with 47 balls to spare, RCB recorded the third fastest win in WPL history in terms of balls remaining.
Fastest Wins in WPL History (By balls remaining):
- Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Giants (2023) – 77 balls left.
- Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians (2023) – 66 balls left.
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs UP Warriorz (2026) – 47 balls left.
Important News: Empty Stadiums for the Next 3 Days
In a disappointing update for fans, spectators will not be allowed entry to the DY Patil Stadium for the matches on January 14, 15, and 16.
- Reason: The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections are scheduled for January 15.
- Security Concerns: Due to election duties, the police force will be busy, making it impossible to provide adequate security for the stadium.
Affected Matches:
- Delhi Capitals vs UP Warriorz (Jan 14)
- Mumbai Indians vs UP Warriorz (Jan 15)
- Gujarat Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Jan 16)
Following the Navi Mumbai leg, the WPL action will shift to the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, Gujarat, from January 19 to February 5.
Match Statistics at a Glance:
| Detail | Information |
| Winner | Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Won by 9 wickets) |
| Grace Harris (RCB) | 85 runs (40 balls, 10×4, 5×6) |
| Smriti Mandhana (RCB) | 51* runs (32 balls) |
| Deepti Sharma (UPW) | 45* runs (Top scorer for UPW) |
| Venue | DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai |
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