Royal Challengers Bangalore Strengthened our position as the team to beat wpl 2026to distribute Clinical eight wicket demolition of UP Warriors To seal their ticket straight to the Grand Final. This high-risk win in Vadodara saw the defending champions maintain their composure under pressure and effectively neutralize a dangerous opponent through tactical superiority and individual brilliance. Reaching the top of the points table. Smriti Mandhana’The team has bypassed the eliminator and earned a well-deserved rest week before the final match.
WPL 2026: Grace Harris delivers power-hitting masterclass with Smriti Mandhana for RCB
grace harris The final proved to be a game-changer once again, troubling his former franchise with a blistering 75 off just 39 balls to make fun of the 144-run target. Opening the batting with captain Mandhana, Harris wasted no time in asserting dominance, destroying the Warriors’ powerplay strategy with a flurry of boundaries, clearing the ropes with ease. His innings was a calculated attack, consisting of nine fours and four sky-scraping sixes, as he brought up his half-century in just 22 balls, effectively eliminating the contest within the first eight overs.
The Australian all-rounder’s ability to manipulate the field and target specific bowlers remains to be seen meg lanning Without any reply as Harris put on a record-breaking partnership of 108 runs inside 10 overs. Although she eventually fell in the 13th over, her dismissal was a mere formality, as the required rate fell to less than three runs per over. This performance cemented her status as a top contender for the Orange Cap and demonstrated her reputation as one of the most devastating finishers in the women’s game.
Mandhana, who was watching the carnage from the best seat in the house, performed brilliantly with a consistent unbeaten 54, ensuring the chase was completed with 41 balls to spare. The sheer pace of Harris’ innings not only secured the two points but also massively increased RCB’s net run rate, leaving no doubt over their championship credentials.
RCB bowling unit Nadine de Klerk stops UP Warriors
The foundation of RCB’s win was laid by a disciplined bowling performance that restricted the dangerous Warriors lineup to a total of 143/8. After taking the fielding decision, Bengaluru bowlers were forced to be patient meg lanning (40) and Deepti Sharma (55) set up a steady 74-run stand for the visitors. finally got success Nadine de KlerkWho produced a sensational triple-wicket burst with career-best figures of 4/22, effectively derailing the middle order in a matter of minutes.
Harris also made important contributions with the ball, outfoxing Harleen Deol And chloe tryon The Warriors lost four wickets for just 11 runs to claim 2/22 and begin the collapse. Shreyanka Patil Set finalized by removal Deepti Sharma In the final overs to ensure no late innings flourish for the opposition. lauren bell She was particularly stingy at the other end, conceding only 21 runs in her four overs while putting constant pressure on the new batsmen.
The collective effort of the bowling unit meant that despite the Warriors having early wickets in hand, they never got the required acceleration on a surface that was beginning to provide grip for the spinners. georgia volumeWas equally impressive, taking two crucial catches to keep the pressure on throughout the 20 overs. This all-round dominance on the ball allowed RCB’s batsmen to play with freedom, even knowing that the target was well below the par score at the Kotambi Stadium.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Closing Here We Come 👊
– Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) 29 January 2026
That’s what Grace Harris can do. The queen is back 🥶❤️ pic.twitter.com/cbItj7l45M
– Angel (@BluntIndiaGal) 29 January 2026
If at the beginning of this WPL season, someone had told me that RCB would play straight finals without Ellyse Perry after winning 6 out of their 8 league games I would have never believed them. 😅
-Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha) 29 January 2026
What a season it has been for RCB
They topped the table for the first time in the group stage #wpl
Now one win away from the title#WPL2026 #UPWvRCB
– Mohit Shah (@mohit_sha17) 29 January 2026
Biceps Celebration by Grace Harris 🥶 pic.twitter.com/aHc4ODMdEF
-Vivek (@Hailkohli18) 29 January 2026
RCB may not have the best team on paper, but throughout the tournament, this team has played the best cricket of all the teams even without Perry and Pooja. Someone or the other has usually stepped up at different times. Very deserving of first place and finals.
– GK (@FCBxRCB) 29 January 2026
RCB made it to the finals three times in a row!
✅WPL 2024
✅IPL 2025
✅WPL 2026
Time to make it 3 titles in a row! 🏏🤞– Sohini M. (@Mittermaniac) 29 January 2026
🚨 RCB qualifies for WPL 2026 final 🚨
– Complete dominance of Smriti Mandhana and her army. pic.twitter.com/nubJ9bjLyP
– Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) 29 January 2026
Women were called in the final 🤙🏼 pic.twitter.com/XDdstbScaF
– Arfan (@Im__Arfan) 29 January 2026
RCB- first finalist #WPL2026 🌟#rcb pic.twitter.com/XyK3zrVetO
– CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) 29 January 2026
This article was first published here WomenCricket.comA Cricket Times Company.
