The Women’s Premier League, WPL 2026 has lived up to its reputation for edge-of-the-seat entertainment right from the opening game. High-scoring thrillers, dramatic finishes, and standout individual performances have defined the early days of the fourth edition, setting the tone for what promises to be another memorable season.
Match 5 brings together two heavyweights with contrasting starts to their campaigns as Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women take on UP Warriorz Women at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women, chasing their second WPL title, opened their 2026 campaign in spectacular fashion. They secured a thrilling three-wicket victory over defending champions Mumbai Indians in the season opener on January 9, a match that instantly set pulses racing. The highlight of the contest was a heroic all-round performance from Nadine de Klerk, who delivered with both bat and ball. She claimed four crucial wickets and then anchored a breathtaking chase with an unbeaten 63 off 44 balls. Her innings included a stunning last-ball heist, where she smashed 20 runs off the final four deliveries to seal a dramatic last-over masterpiece.
What made RCB’s victory even more impressive was the absence of Ellyse Perry, who missed the game due to personal reasons. Despite that setback, the team showcased its growing Indian depth combined with proven international firepower. Smriti Mandhana’s leadership at the top, Richa Ghosh’s explosiveness in the middle order, and de Klerk’s composure under pressure underlined how well-rounded this RCB unit has become. As a result, Royal Challengers Bengaluru sit atop the WPL 2026 points table early in the season, riding high on confidence and momentum.
UP Warriorz, meanwhile, began their campaign under new captain Meg Lanning with a competitive but narrow defeat. They went down by 10 runs to Gujarat Giants on January 10 in another high-scoring encounter. Chasing a challenging target, UPW were kept in the hunt by a sensational innings from Phoebe Litchfield, who smashed an explosive 78 off just 40 balls. Her fearless stroke play ensured the contest went deep, but the Warriorz ultimately fell short in the closing stages.
Despite the loss, UP Warriorz showed enough promise to suggest they are far from out of the contest this season. Their revamped squad is packed with quality and variety. The spin department is led by two of the finest in the world—Deepti Sharma and Sophie Ecclestone—while the batting line-up boasts power-hitters like Kiran Navgire and versatile all-rounders such as Deandra Dottin. With experienced campaigners and young Indian talent in the mix, UPW remains a dangerous unit and will be keen to bounce back strongly in this fixture.
Pitch & Conditions Insight
The Dr DY Patil Stadium has emerged as a high-scoring paradise in WPL 2026 so far. Average first-innings totals have hovered in the mid-180s, underlining the batter-friendly nature of the surface. The pitch offers true bounce and reliable carry, rewarding well-timed shots into the lush outfield. While fast bowlers have found more assistance than spinners, dew has played a decisive role in evening matches. With significant dew expected again, chasing teams are likely to enjoy a clear advantage, making the toss a crucial factor. Another potential run-fest appears firmly on the cards.
Probable Playing XI – Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women
Smriti Mandhana ©, Grace Harris, Dayalan Hemalatha, Nadine de Klerk, Richa Ghosh (wk), Arundhati Reddy, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil, Lauren Bell, Linsey Smith, Prema Rawat
Probable Playing XI – UP Warriorz Women
Phoebe Litchfield, Meg Lanning ©, Kiran Navgire, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Deandra Dottin, Shweta Sehrawat (wk), Sophie Ecclestone, Asha Sobhana, Shikha Pandey, Kranti Goud
Riding high on the momentum of their opening win, Royal Challengers Bengaluru enter this contest as slight favorites. Their explosive batting depth, featuring Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, and Nadine de Klerk, combined with a balanced bowling attack, gives them a clear edge on current form. Dew could once again tilt the game in favour of the chasing side, but UP Warriorz cannot be written off. Their spin dominance through Deepti Sharma and Sophie Ecclestone, along with Meg Lanning’s vast experience, makes them a genuine threat capable of pulling off an upset.
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Expect a blockbuster, high-scoring contest packed with fireworks, where small moments could decide the outcome. While UP Warriorz will be desperate to get their first points on the board, RCB’s confidence and rhythm from the opener give them a narrow advantage heading into Match 5.
Catch the live action on the Star Sports Network on television, with streaming available on JioHotstar from 7:30 PM IST.
