WPL 2025/26: RCB-W vs UPW-W Preview – Teams Aim to Rebound
As the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025/26 progresses, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB-W) and UP Warriorz (UPW-W) are both looking for a stronger showing as they prepare for their next match. Both teams had challenging opening games, albeit with different outcomes.
Match Preview: RCB-W vs UPW-W
In their first match, RCB-W, captained by Smriti Mandhana, experienced a rollercoaster ride. The team started strong but faced a dramatic collapse, losing five wickets for just 25 runs. Despite this setback, Nadine de Klerk’s performance helped RCB-W secure a win. The batting order saw contributions from Grace Harris and Richa Ghosh, but they also struggled to maintain momentum.
On the other side, UPW-W under new captain Meg Lanning did not have the best start. Lanning’s form appeared inconsistent, but Phoebe Litchfield provided stability with her innovative batting approach. The middle order, featuring Harleen Deol and Deepti Sharma, is set to play a crucial role in the upcoming game.
Team Lineup
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Probable XI):
- Grace Harris
- Smriti Mandhana (captain)
- D Hemalatha
- Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper)
- Radha Yadav
- Nadine de Klerk
- Arundhati Reddy
- Shreyanka Patil
- Prema Rawat
- Linsey Smith
- Lauren Bell
- UP Warriorz (Probable XI):
- Kiran Navgire
- Meg Lanning (captain)
- Phoebe Litchfield
- Harleen Deol
- Shweta Sehrawat (wicketkeeper)
- Deandra Dottin
- Deepti Sharma
- Sophie Ecclestone
- Asha Sobhana
- Shikha Pandey
- Kranti Gaud
Key Individual Performances
Several players will be under the spotlight during the match. Lauren Bell, who previously played for UPW-W, could have an impact against Meg Lanning, having dismissed her once in their encounters. Shweta Sehrawat, adapting to a middle-order role, showed promise in her last outings but needs to improve her wicketkeeping skills.
Statistical Showdown
| Players | Stats |
|---|---|
| Shikha Pandey vs Smriti Mandhana | Pandey has dismissed Mandhana five times, conceding only 45 runs in 42 balls. |
| Deepti Sharma vs Nadine de Klerk | De Klerk has scored 23 runs off 21 balls against Deepti, with two dismissals. |
| Meg Lanning | 18 runs away from 1,000 in WPL history. |
Pitch and Conditions
The pitch at Navi Mumbai tends to favor chasing teams, yet the recent games indicate that first-innings totals can be defended. Seamers have found some assistance in the early overs, and dew is generally not a significant factor. The team that can adapt to these conditions will likely secure victory.
This match is crucial for both teams as they aim to rebound from their opening results. Fans can expect an exciting battle as RCB-W faces UPW-W on Monday night.
