Close Menu
    Select Language
    Subscribe
    Sunday, February 15
    US Sports

    Fans go gaga as clinical RCB storm into WPL 2026 final with eight-wicket win over UP Warriorz

    News DeskBy No Comments5 Mins Read
    Fans go gaga as clinical RCB storm into WPL 2026 final with eight-wicket win over UP Warriorz

    Royal Challengers Bengaluru cemented their status as the team to beat in WPL 2026, delivering a clinical eight-wicket demolition of the UP Warriorz to punch their ticket directly to the grand final. This high-stakes victory in Vadodara saw the defending champions maintain their composure under pressure, effectively neutralizing a dangerous opposition through tactical superiority and individual brilliance. By finishing at the summit of the points table, Smriti Mandhana’s side has bypassed the Eliminator, earning a well-deserved week of rest before the ultimate showdown.

    WPL 2026: Grace Harris unleashes a power-hitting masterclass along with Smriti Mandhana for RCB

    Grace Harris once again proved to be the ultimate game-changer, haunting her former franchise with a savage 75 off just 39 balls to make a mockery of the 144-run target. Opening the batting alongside captain Mandhana, Harris wasted no time in asserting dominance, dismantling the Warriorz’ powerplay strategy with a flurry of boundaries that cleared the ropes with ease. Her innings was a calculated assault, featuring nine fours and four towering sixes as she reached her half-century in just 22 deliveries, effectively killing the contest within the first eight overs.

    The Australian all-rounder’s ability to manipulate the field and target specific bowlers left Meg Lanning without answers, as Harris shared a record-breaking 108-run opening stand in under 10 overs. Although she eventually fell in the 13th over, her dismissal was a mere formality, as the required rate had plummeted to less than three runs per over. This performance solidified her position as a top contender for the Orange Cap and showcased her reputation as one of the most destructive finishers in the women’s game.

    Mandhana, watching the carnage from the best seat in the house, provided the perfect foil with a steady unbeaten 54, ensuring the chase was completed with 41 balls to spare. The sheer velocity of Harris’s knock not only secured the two points but also provided a massive boost to RCB’s net run rate, leaving no doubt about their championship credentials.

    Also WATCH: WPL 2026: Grace Harris rips through UP Warriorz middle order with key wickets of Harleen Deol and Chloe Tryon

    RCB’s bowling unit Nadine de Klerk stifles the UP Warriorz

    The foundation of RCB’s triumph was laid by a disciplined bowling performance that restricted a dangerous Warriorz lineup to a sub-par total of 143/8. After electing to field, the Bengaluru bowlers were forced to stay patient as Meg Lanning (40) and Deepti Sharma (55) built a steady 74-run platform for the visitors. The breakthrough finally came via Nadine de Klerk, who produced a sensational triple-wicket burst to finish with career-best figures of 4/22, effectively derailing the middle order in a matter of minutes.

    Harris also made significant contributions with the ball, outfoxing Harleen Deol and Chloe Tryon to claim 2/22 and trigger a collapse that saw the Warriorz lose four wickets for just 11 runs. Shreyanka Patil provided the finishing touches, removing the set Deepti Sharma in the penultimate over to ensure there was no late-innings flourish for the opposition. Lauren Bell remained characteristically miserly at the other end, conceding only 21 runs from her four overs while applying relentless pressure on the new batters.

    The collective effort from the bowling unit meant that the Warriorz, despite having wickets in hand early on, never found the acceleration needed on a surface that began to offer grip for the spinners. Georgia Voll, was equally impressive, pouching two crucial catches to keep the pressure high throughout the 20 overs. This all-round dominance with the ball allowed the RCB batters to play with freedom, knowing that the target was well below the par score for the Kotambi Stadium.

    Here’s how fans reacted: 

    This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.



    Share.

    News Desk is the dedicated editorial force behind News On Click. Comprised of experienced journalists, writers, and editors, our team is united by a shared passion for delivering high-quality, credible news to a global audience.

    Related Posts

    Add A Comment
    Leave A Reply