The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 season brings an early test for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and UP Warriorz. They face off on January 12 in Navi Mumbai, both wanting a stronger showing. UP Warriorz need to shake off a loss. RCB, fresh off a tight win, aims to build momentum. This match is crucial for early standings.
Warriorz Hunting First Points After Close Call
UP Warriorz started their WPL 2026 campaign with a 10-run defeat to Gujarat Giants. The match happened on January 10 at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. Giants’ debutant Anushka Sharma made 44 runs. She had a big 103-run stand with Ashleigh Gardner. Georgia Wareham also smashed 27 runs fast, off just 10 balls, pushing the total higher.
In the chase, Warriorz showed promise but fell short. New captain Meg Lanning and Phoebe Litchfield fought back after an early wicket. Litchfield hit a fantastic 78 runs from 40 balls, with 8 fours and 5 sixes. She kept UPW in the game. Shweta Sehrawat added 25 runs. Asha Sobhana contributed a late cameo. But wickets fell too often after the eighth over. The team lost by 10 runs.
Phoebe Litchfield said the team’s effort was good, despite the loss. NDTV reported her comments as “Can’t fault the effort.” Her innings was a positive takeaway, something to build on. The issue was execution under pressure, losing wickets taking risks as the asking rate climbed. They need to find those match-winning moments.
RCB Looks to Strengthen After Dramatic Opener
Royal Challengers Bengaluru comes into this game after a win, but it wasn’t easy. They beat Mumbai Indians by three wickets in their opening game on Friday. South African Nadine de Klerk was the hero. She scored an unbeaten 63 and took four wickets. She sealed the victory with the winning runs on the last ball. The New Indian Express noted RCB, the 2024 champions, pulled off an astonishing win.
Captain Smriti Mandhana wants her top-order batters, including herself, to score more. De Klerk was the only standout in that first match. Others had below-par outings. Grace Harris, Richa Ghosh, and the bowlers like Arundhati Reddy and Shreyanka Patil need to perform better. They gave up runs against MI.
And RCB faces challenges beyond the field. Fast-bowling all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar is out for at least two weeks. She has a hamstring injury. Head coach Malolan Rangarajan confirmed this. The Times of India reported Rangarajan saying it’s a “week-by-week process.” Vastrakar’s absence affects RCB’s balance, especially in pace-bowling all-round options.
A Crucial Clash for Early Season Form
This match on January 12 at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy is big for both teams. UP Warriorz, under new captain Meg Lanning, aims for their first points. Lanning’s leadership is a key strategic shift for the team. They also used an RTM card to re-sign Deepti Sharma for INR 3.2 crore. Their squad includes Chamari Athapaththu, Sophie Ecclestone, and Tahlia McGrath.
RCB, with a deep squad featuring Smriti Mandhana, Ellyse Perry, Georgia Wareham, and Richa Ghosh, needs to show consistency. Their win rate over the last year is 44.44%, which points to an inconsistent run. They need to convert wins. This game is an opportunity to prove they are contenders.
The teams will meet again later in the league. That return fixture, Match 18, is on January 29 at BCA Stadium, Vadodara. But the immediate focus is on Sunday’s game. Both teams want to settle into the WPL 2026 season. A win here could set the tone for the tournament ahead.
Soureesh Datta 
Sagnik Banerjee