Get ready for a real showdown in the Women’s Premier League 2026 as Royal Challengers Bengaluru take on UP Warriorz in Match 5. This one’s set for January 12 at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai, and both teams want those early points to kickstart their season.
Bengaluru looks sharp this year. They’ve got a good mix- seasoned internationals plus some young talent that’s already making waves. But don’t count out the Warriorz. Their squad is packed with players who can turn a match on its head in just a few overs.
These two teams have clashed six times before, and they’re dead even at three wins each. So, every ball matters. Nobody’s got the upper hand, and that just makes things even more interesting. Expect a close, high-energy contest; you can bet the fans at DY Patil Stadium will be on the edge of their seats.
Match Details: RCB-W vs. UPW-W
Here are the key details of RCB vs. UPW:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs UP Warriorz, Match 5 |
| Series | Women’s Premier League 2026 |
| Date | January 12, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai |
| Streaming | JioHotstar |
| Broadcast | Star Sports |
| Umpires | Gayathri Venugopalan (IND), Bhavesh Patel (IND), Keyur Kelkar (IND) |
| Match Referee | GS Lakshmi (IND) |
Head-to-Head Record: RCB vs UPW
| Statistic | RCB-W | UPW-W |
|---|---|---|
| Total Matches Played | 6 | 6 |
| Wins | 3 | 3 |
Performance in Last 1 Year
| Team | Played | Won | Lost | Win% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RCB-W | 9 | 4 | 5 | 44.44% |
| UPW-W | 9 | 3 | 6 | 33.33% |
Top Performers in the Last Year
Batters:
- Ellyse Perry (RCB-W): 372 runs
- Chinelle Henry (RCB-W): 163 runs
Bowlers:
- Georgia Wareham (UPW-W): 12 wickets
- Sophie Ecclestone (UPW-W): 11 wickets
Pitch Report
Here is the pitch report that tells us about the playing surface:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Pitch Character | Balanced and true. The surface rewards both batters and bowlers. Once set, batters can score freely on this wicket. |
| Early Advantage | Fast bowlers. The new ball offers movement and carry in the powerplay overs. |
| Mid-Game Shift | Spinners. The pitch tends to slow down, which gives spinners more purchase and turn. |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 160-170 runs |
| Boundary Dimensions | Short square boundaries (48-50 m) make it a run-friendly venue. |
| Toss Strategy | Chase preferred. Teams batting second have historically done well here. |
RCB-W vs UPW-W Match 4: Winning & Toss Odds
| Platform | 1xBet | Stake | 4RABET | BetVibe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RCB-W Win Odds | 1.75 | 1.76 | 1.77 | 1.79 |
| UPW-W Win Odds | 2 | 2.01 | 2.02 | 2.03 |
| Toss Odds (RCB-W) | 1.90 | 1.87 | 1.85 | 1.92 |
| Toss Odds (UPW-W) | 1.90 | 1.93 | 1.95 | 1.88 |
Probable Playing XI
Here are the probable playing 11 of both teams:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB-W)
Smriti Mandhana, Grace Harris, Dayalan Hemlatha, Richa Ghosh (WK), Radha Yadav, Nadine de Klerk, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Prema Rawat, Linsey Smith, and Lauren Bell
UP Warriorz (UPW-W)
Meg Lanning (C), Phoebe Litchfield, Kiran Navgire, Deandra Dottin, Deepti Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Shweta Sehrawat (WK), Harleen Deol, Sophie Ecclestone, Shikha Pandey, and Asha Sobhana
Team Analysis
Here is some key information about both teams:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB-W)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have built a squad that can go toe-to-toe with anyone. Smriti Mandhana leads the way, all smooth timing and calm control at the top. She holds the innings together without slowing things down; that’s why she’s their anchor. Grace Harris stands right beside her, steady and reliable, making sure RCB gets off to a good start.
They’ll miss Ellyse Perry this time, no doubt about it. But Nadine de Klerk steps in, and she’s no stranger to pressure. The South African all-rounder knows how to handle both bat and ball, so she’s a real asset in the middle order. Richa Ghosh brings fireworks with the bat and keeps things sharp behind the stumps, while Grace Harris and Nadine de Klerk give that all-round balance any T20 team craves.
The bowling looks sharp. Lauren Bell swings the new ball and loves making life tough for openers. In the spin department, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav, and Linsey Smith keep things tight and squeeze the runs in the middle overs. Sure, RCB only won 4 out of 9 matches last year, so there’s room to get better. But you can see the flashes; this squad has something brewing.
UP Warriorz (UPW-W)
UP Warriorz look stacked this season. With Meg Lanning leading the way, they’ve got a squad packed with serious talent. Lanning’s not just a smart captain; she can change a game with the bat in her hand. At the top, Phoebe Litchfield gives them another hard-hitting Aussie presence.
Deandra Dottin is always a threat. When she gets going, bowlers just have to hope for the best. Deepti Sharma is as steady as they come. She can slot in anywhere in the lineup and always finds a way to make an impact.
Sophie Ecclestone is their real ace with the ball. She’s been picking up wickets for Fun 11 just this past year, and no one seems to have her figured out yet. Shikha Pandey chips in with experience at the top of the innings, swinging the new ball and keeping things tight. Sure, UPW’s win rate last year sat at 33.33%, but with this lineup, you just can’t count them out. On their day, they can take down anyone.
Key Players to Watch
Here are the best players to watch out for in this battle:
Best Batter: Nadine de Klerk (RCB-W)
The South African all-rounder takes on added responsibility with Ellyse Perry unavailable for this match. Nadine de Klerk brings composure and skill to the middle order. She can build innings or accelerate when needed. Her ability to bowl handy medium pace adds extra value to the team. UPW bowlers will need to target her early before she settles in.
Best Bowler: Sophie Ecclestone (UPW-W)
England’s left-arm spinner ranks among the best in the world. Ecclestone has claimed 11 wickets in the last year, and her ability to turn the ball and vary her pace makes her tough to score against. She can bowl in any phase of the innings and often breaks partnerships at key moments. RCB batters must play her with care.
Match Prediction
This match feels like it could go either way. Both teams are pretty evenly matched—you can see it in their 3-3 head-to-head record. Still, RCB has some momentum right now. They’ve won four games in the past year, while UPW has three.
RCB’s batting runs deep. With Smriti Mandhana setting the tone at the top and Nadine de Klerk steadying things in the middle, they’ve got a solid core. Their bowlers can mix things up too, so they’re not easy to figure out. On the other side, UP Warriorz lean on Meg Lanning’s calm leadership and Sophie Ecclestone’s sharp bowling to keep them in the hunt.
The DY Patil pitch plays fair, really. Both sides should feel comfortable out there. Chasing usually works best on this ground, so the toss matters. If you’re looking for a target, something in the 160-170 range should make things interesting.
Winner Prediction: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB-W)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru look like the slight favorites for this encounter. Their better recent form and more balanced squad composition give them the edge. Smriti Mandhana’s runs and their multi-pronged bowling attack should prove the difference. UP Warriorz have the talent to spring an upset, but RCB should come out on top.
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Conclusion
This RCB-W vs. UPW-W match has all the ingredients for a real showdown. Both sides have big names, players who know how to steal the spotlight and get the crowd buzzing at DY Patil Stadium. Royal Challengers Bengaluru come in riding on a bit of momentum, thanks to their stronger recent run, but UP Warriorz are hungry to get back on track and notch up a win.
It’s only Match 5 in the WPL 2026, but you can already feel the stakes ramping up. Expect fireworks with the bat, crafty moves with the ball, and a few nail-biting moments thrown in. The winner doesn’t just walk away with early-season points; they grab a shot of confidence that could set the tone for their campaign. Games like this are exactly why the Women’s Premier League has people hooked.
