The stage is set at the Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara, for another enthralling contest as UP Warriorz (UPW) take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on January 29 in the WPL 2026.
For RCB, things have gone wrong in their last two games after winning their first five matches of the season. A win later today will still secure their place in the final. However, if they lose, they will have to keep a close eye on the upcoming Gujarat Giants (GG) vs Mumbai Indians (MI) clash on January 30. If GG win that game, they will reach the 10-point mark, and net run rate (NRR) will then decide which team finishes at the top and qualifies directly for the final.
For Meg Lanning’s UPW, both remaining matches are must-wins to stay alive in the playoff race. With two wins, they can reach a maximum of eight points, but NRR will be decisive. Hence, they will need to win both games by a significant margin. Even if they manage just one win, they will still remain in contention on paper with six points. However, in that scenario, the result of the GG vs MI clash will need to go in their favour for qualification to remain possible.
Standings
UP Warriorz: 5th position, 6 matches – 2 wins, 4 losses, 4 points, NRR -0.769
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 1st position, 7 matches – 5 wins, 2 losses, 10 points, NRR +0.947
Head-to-head record in the WPL
Overall: 7 matches – RCB 4, UPW 3 (UPW won one game in 2025 via Super Over)
At Kotambi Stadium: Yet to play
UPW record at Kotambi Stadium: 3 matches – Lost 3
RCB record at Kotambi Stadium: 5 matches – Won 3, Lost 2
What happened in the first meeting of this edition?
In Navi Mumbai, UPW were asked to bat first and had a forgettable start, collapsing to 50/5 in 8.2 overs. An unbeaten 93-run partnership between Deepti Sharma (45* off 35) and Deandra Dottin (40* off 37) helped them recover to 143/5 in 20 overs. For RCB, Shreyanka Patil and Nadine de Klerk picked up two wickets each, while Lauren Bell claimed one.
In reply, RCB completely dominated the UPW bowlers. The opening pair of Grace Harris and Smriti Mandhana added 137 runs in just 11.5 overs. Harris smashed 85 off 40 balls, while Mandhana remained unbeaten on 47 off 32 as RCB won the match with nine wickets in hand and 7.5 overs to spare. Harris was adjudged the Player of the Match.
Players to watch out for
UPW – Sophie Ecclestone
The England left-arm spinner has struggled for consistency in this WPL season so far. In six matches, she has taken six wickets at an economy of 8.04. Questions have been raised over Lanning’s usage of Ecclestone across different phases of the game. However, in the last match against GG, Ecclestone seemed to find some rhythm, picking up two wickets for 22 runs in four overs. UPW fans will expect her to build on that performance against RCB, especially considering the presence of several right-handed batters in their line-up, with Mandhana being the only left-hander.
RCB – Richa Ghosh
Richa Ghosh played a brilliant knock in RCB’s last game against MI. While chasing 200, she smashed 90 off 50 balls and almost single-handedly kept RCB in the contest. However, the lack of support from the other end meant RCB eventually fell 15 runs short. Once again, the spotlight will be on Richa and the impact she can make with the bat. In seven games, she is striking at 153.78. She has also been impressive behind the stumps throughout the season. For RCB fans, her form is a big positive, and in a larger context, it is also an encouraging sign for India ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England later this year.
Probable Playing XIs
UPW
Meg Lanning (C), Kiran Navgire, Amy Jones (WK), Harleen Deol, Chloe Tryon, Deepti Sharma, Shweta Sehrawat, Sophie Ecclestone, Asha Sobhana, Shikha Pandey, Kranti Gaud.
RCB
Grace Harris, Smriti Mandhana (C), Georgia Voll, Gautami Naik, Richa Ghosh (WK), Radha Yadav, Nadine de Klerk, Sayali Satghare, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Lauren Bell.
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