🟢 LIVE CHASE: Harris Unstoppable!
RCB: 119/0 (9.4)⚡ 5th SIX for Grace Harris (Over 10)
Grace Harris (75* off 33) is dealing only in maximums! She swept Sophie Ecclestone flat and hard over deep square leg for her 5th SIX to start the 10th over.
🏏 Good Comeback by Ecclestone
After the six, Ecclestone fired in two excellent yorkers to keep Harris quiet for a couple of balls. However, the game is firmly in RCB's pocket.
- 🎯 The Equation: RCB need 25 runs from 62 balls.
- 🔥 Dominance: 119/0 in less than 10 overs. This is a demolition job by the RCB openers.
RCB 119/0 after 9.4 Overs.
By: Sportspress Senior Cricket Analyst
Date: January 12, 2026
Match: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) vs. UP Warriorz (UPW)
Time: 7:30 PM IST (Today)
Venue: Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai
Live Streaming: Sports18 & JioCinema
"What happened in yesterday's match? First read our Last Match Highlights article and then watch this preview: 👉 [Read Here]"
The engine of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 is already purring, and the temperature is about to hit the red line.
It is the first Monday of the campaign, and we have a fixture that screams "Drama."
Tonight at 7:30 PM, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)—fresh off a miraculous heist against Mumbai Indians—will lock horns with the UP Warriorz (UPW) at the high-scoring fortress of DY Patil Stadium.
This isn't just a cricket match; it's a clash of narratives.
- RCB is riding a wave of euphoria after Nadine De Klerk smashed 20 runs off the final over to steal a win in their opener.
- UP Warriorz, led by the legendary Meg Lanning, are licking their wounds after an opening loss and desperately need to fix their bowling balance.
But there is history here. Dark history for RCB. In 2025, UP Warriorz defeated Bengaluru twice, including that unforgettable Super Over thriller where Sophie Ecclestone broke RCB hearts.
Can Smriti Mandhana settle the score tonight? Or will the "Spin Queens" of UP spin a web around the "Bold Army"?
Let’s break down every single angle of this massive encounter.
🚨 LATEST UPDATE: Pitch Surprise & Team Tactics
The WPL 2026 is officially red-hot! After a weekend of absolute thrillers, we kick off the new week with a massive clash: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) vs. UP Warriorz (UPW).
While RCB is flying high after Nadine De Klerk’s miracle heist, UP Warriorz are desperate to bounce back. Here is everything you need to know based on the latest live reports from the ground:
🏟️ The Pitch Report: A "Pacer's Paradise" in Disguise?
- 📏 Tiny Boundaries: Square boundaries are just 53m & 61m. Expect raining sixes!
- 🌱 Grass Gone: The curator has shaved off the grass, suggesting another high-scoring road.
- ⚡ The Big Twist: Pacers are dominating! Seamers have taken 35 wickets (Econ 8.5), while spinners are leaking 10+ runs/over.
- 🛡️ Strategy Shift: Batting first is working! Teams have defended totals in 4 out of 5 games.
🧐 The "Chasing" Myth Busted
Forget the old theory. In 2 out of 3 night games, teams batting first posted huge scores (195 & 209) and won. Hint: Put runs on the board!
🔵 RCB's Headache: Will they bring in Georgia Voll to strengthen the top order at the expense of Linsey Smith?
🟡 UPW's Focus: Meg Lanning wants "tidiness". Watch out for Kiran Navgire's explosive hitting!
Final Verdict: Can UP adjust to the conditions faster than Smriti's confident unit? Stay tuned!
CHAPTER 1: The "Momentum" Game – Why This Match is Critical
In a short tournament like the WPL, momentum is everything.
- For Royal Challengers Bengaluru: History is on their side regarding starts. Over the last two seasons, RCB have started their campaigns with back-to-back wins. A win tonight would make it three seasons in a row with a perfect start, solidifying their status as title favorites. They have the "belief" now—something they lacked in previous years when closing out tight games.
- For UP Warriorz: They are searching for answers. Their opening match loss exposed cracks in their pace attack. If they lose tonight, they go 0-2, and in a 5-team league, digging yourself out of that hole is incredibly difficult. Meg Lanning knows that tonight is a "must-win" for morale.
CHAPTER 2: Royal Challengers Bengaluru – The "Miracle" Team
Let’s talk about that opening game. RCB looked dead and buried against Mumbai Indians until Nadine De Klerk decided to play god. Needing 18 off the final over, she hammered 20 runs to drag them over the line.
That win has changed the dressing room atmosphere. RCB is no longer the team that panics; they are the team that believes.
The Batting: Firepower in Abundance
On paper, RCB looks like the most settled side in the tournament.
- Smriti Mandhana: The captain is "gung-ho". She knows the DY Patil pitch is a road, and she will look to exploit the Powerplay.
- Ellyse Perry & Sophie Devine: The veteran core. They provide the stability that allows the likes of Richa Ghosh and De Klerk to go berserk.
- The Depth: This season, RCB has international experience in abundance. They aren't relying on just one player. If the top order fails, the middle order (proven by De Klerk) can win games.
The Bowling: Finding the Right Mix
Success at DY Patil depends on picking the right mix for the pitch. RCB has the luxury of options. With Renuka Singh swinging the new ball and Shreyanka Patil spinning it in the middle, they have bases covered. The key will be how they handle the late-overs assault from UP’s finishers.
CHAPTER 3: UP Warriorz – The "Pace" Headache
Under the calm leadership of Meg Lanning, UP Warriorz started the season with optimism, but reality hit hard in Match 1.
The problem isn't their batting; it's their bowling arsenal.
The Pace Problem
Even before the tournament began, it was clear that UP’s pace resources looked thin.
- The Loss: With Tara Norris pulling out after being selected, the team is scrambling.
- The Support: They are relying heavily on Kranti Gaud and Shikha Pandey. While Shikha has experience, she needs support. In the first match, the lack of a genuine express pacer allowed the opposition to score freely in the death overs.
The "Spin to Win" Strategy
UP Warriorz are leaning heavily on their spin strength. And why wouldn't they? They arguably have the best spin attack in the league.
- Sophie Ecclestone: The World No. 1. She stood up impressively under pressure in the first game.
- Deepti Sharma & Asha Sobhana: These two offer control and wicket-taking ability in the middle overs. The Strategy: UP will try to bowl spin in the Powerplay. If they can choke RCB’s top order with spin, they can hide their pace weakness.
The Batting Bright Spot: Phoebe Litchfield
The opening match wasn't all bad. Phoebe Litchfield’s clean hitting offered a glimpse of the firepower in this lineup. If Litchfield fires alongside Lanning and Grace Harris, UP can chase anything on this DY Patil road.
CHAPTER 4: The Venue – DY Patil is a "Road"
The Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy has long been a high-scoring venue.
- The Pitch: Reports suggest the curators have rolled out a "proper road". This means the ball will come onto the bat beautifully.
- The Par Score: In the last few matches here (including the GG vs DC thriller), scores of 200+ have been breached. Tonight, anything less than 190 might not be enough.
- The Dew Factor: Being a night game, dew will play a role. The team winning the toss will likely BOWL FIRST.
CHAPTER 5: Head-to-Head – The Ghosts of 2025
This rivalry is evenly poised overall, but 2025 still leaves a sore memory for RCB.
- The Record: UP Warriorz won both meetings last year.
- The Super Over: The most painful loss for RCB came in that unforgettable Super Over night, where Sophie Ecclestone single-handedly stole the limelight. Tonight is about vengeance. Smriti Mandhana will want to erase those memories and prove that 2026 is a new era.
CHAPTER 6: Key Battles to Watch
1. Smriti Mandhana (RCB) vs. Sophie Ecclestone (UPW)
The classic "Left-Hand Batter vs. Left-Arm Spinner" contest. Lanning will bring Ecclestone on the moment Mandhana walks out. If Mandhana survives Ecclestone, RCB will fly. If Ecclestone gets her bunny, UP will dominate.
2. Meg Lanning (UPW) vs. Renuka Singh Thakur (RCB)
Renuka swings the new ball back into the right-hander. Lanning is the master of technique. This battle in the first 3 overs will decide the tone of the UP innings.
3. Phoebe Litchfield (UPW) vs. Nadine De Klerk (RCB)
The "Hero of Match 1" vs. the "Young Sensation." Both players are in form. De Klerk’s medium pace vs. Litchfield’s 360-degree hitting in the death overs will be a popcorn moment.
CHAPTER 7: What Needs to Change?
For RCB:
They need to be ruthless. In the last game, they let the game drift until the final over heroics. Against a team like UP with Ecclestone, they cannot afford to leave it that late.
For UP Warriorz:
They need to solve the "Third Pacer" problem. Can they trust Kranti Gaud to bowl 4 overs? Or will they be forced to play an extra spinner like Chamari Athapaththu (if available) to bolster the attack? Finding the right balance quickly is key.
Conclusion: A High-Scoring Thriller Awaits!
On paper, Royal Challengers Bengaluru look the more settled side with almost all bases covered. Their confidence is high, and their depth is scary.
UP Warriorz, however, are a wounded animal. They have questions to answer about their bowling, but they have match-winners like Ecclestone and Lanning who know how to win ugly.
Expect a run-fest at DY Patil. Expect sixes. And expect drama.
This contest should offer a glimpse into the future of both units and give us a fair idea of the challenges that lie ahead.
Prediction: Royal Challengers Bengaluru to win a high-scoring contest (60% - 40%) due to superior pace bowling depth.
"For more news and updates related to this match: 👇
FAQ: Match 5 (RCB vs UPW)
Q1: What time does the RCB vs UPW match start?
Ans: The match is scheduled to start at 7:30 PM IST Today, Monday, January 12, 2026.
Q2: Who is the captain of UP Warriorz?
Ans: The legendary Australian captain Meg Lanning leads the UP Warriorz.
Q3: How did RCB win their first match?
Ans: RCB pulled off a miracle win against Mumbai Indians, with Nadine De Klerk smashing 20 runs off the final over to chase down the target.
Q4: What is the weakness of UP Warriorz?
Ans: UP Warriorz have a thin pace bowling attack. With Tara Norris pulling out, they rely heavily on spin and lack experienced fast bowling support for Shikha Pandey.
Q5: Who won the last time these two teams met?
Ans: In 2025, UP Warriorz won both matches against RCB, including a famous Super Over victory.
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