RCB Women vs UP Warriorz Women WPL 2026 kicks off with high drama in the 5th match, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women aim to build on their nail-biting victory while UP Warriorz Women hunt for their first win. This evenly matched rivalry promises fireworks at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.
As a dedicated cricket fan reading on IPL Star, your go-to source for niche IPL and WPL news, you’re in for a treat. We’ve scoured the web, X posts, and expert analyses to bring you this comprehensive preview. From ESPN Cricinfo’s in-depth breakdowns to real-time buzz on X, we’ve got all the angles covered. Let’s dive into why this clash could be a turning point in WPL 2026.
What makes this match so special? Both teams had scratchy starts, but RCB’s last-ball heroics against Mumbai Indians showed resilience. UP Warriorz, despite a valiant chase against Gujarat Giants, fell short. With stars like Smriti Mandhana and Meg Lanning leading the charge, expect a battle of wits and skills.
In this article, we’ll break down match details, venue insights, team squads, key players, head-to-head records, recent forms, and more—all in easy-to-read tables and short bursts for fellow cricket enthusiasts. Who do you think will emerge victorious? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Match Details & Broadcast Information
The Women’s Premier League 2026 continues its exciting run with the 5th match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women and UP Warriorz Women. Set for today, this evening fixture is perfect for fans winding down after a long day.
Here’s a quick table summarizing the essentials:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Series | Women’s Premier League 2026 |
| Match Number | 5th Match |
| Teams | Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women vs UP Warriorz Women |
| Date | January 12, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST (2:00 PM GMT) |
| Toss Time | 7:00 PM IST |
| Venue | Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai |
| Streaming | JioHotstar |
| TV Broadcast | Star Sports Network |
For Indian viewers, JioHotstar offers seamless streaming with multilingual commentary. If you’re tuning in from abroad, check local providers or VPN options. As per Sportskeeda’s live score page, updates will be real-time, ensuring you don’t miss a ball.
Why is the toss crucial? More on that later, but historically, it sets the tone on this venue.
Venue Guide – Dr DY Patil Sports Academy
Navi Mumbai’s Dr DY Patil Sports Academy is a modern gem in Indian cricket. With a capacity of 60,000, it’s built for big crowds and bigger moments. The stadium features two distinct ends: the Media End and Pavilion End, influencing bowling strategies.
This venue has hosted numerous WPL games, favoring balanced contests. From ESPN’s preview, it’s noted for its flat tracks that encourage aggressive batting.
Key venue stats in a table for quick reference (based on recent WPL matches and online resources like CricTracker):
| Stat | Details |
|---|---|
| Average 1st Innings Score | 147-160 runs |
| Highest Team Total | 207/4 (by Gujarat Giants vs UPW, 2026) |
| Powerplay Seam Economy | ~6.66 runs per over |
| Chasing Success Rate | Slight edge (but batting first won recent double-headers) |
| Spin Impact | Grips in middle overs |
The city of Navi Mumbai adds to the vibe—close to Mumbai, it draws passionate fans. As per India Today’s report, seamers find early help, but batters dominate once set.
Have you attended a game here? The atmosphere is electric, especially under lights.
Pitch Report, Dew Factor & Conditions Prediction
The pitch at DY Patil is expected to be a belter—flat and true, ideal for high scores. Early in WPL 2026, we’ve seen totals breaching 200, like Gujarat’s 207 against UPW.
From CricTracker’s prediction, seamers will get swing in the powerplay, but spinners like Sophie Ecclestone could control the middle phase. Par score? Around 180-200 if batting first.
Dew factor: Minimal so far this season, per News18. This shifts advantage to batting first, allowing teams to post big and defend.
Favorable conditions: Power-hitters thrive here. All-rounders like Deepti Sharma and Nadine de Klerk will be key.
Table of recent pitch performances:
| Match | 1st Innings Score | Result |
|---|---|---|
| RCB vs MI (Jan 9) | 154 | RCB won by 3 wickets (last ball) |
| UPW vs GG (Jan 10) | 207/4 | GG won by 10 runs |
Predictions suggest another run-fest. Will we see 200+ again tonight?
Weather Forecast – Navi Mumbai, January 12, 2026 Evening
January in Navi Mumbai is pleasant, with no rain threats. Expect clear skies for a full game.
Detailed forecast table (sourced from online weather sites and cricket previews):
| Aspect | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 28-30°C at start, 22-25°C by end |
| Humidity | 40-50% |
| Wind | Light (5-10 km/h) |
| Rain Chance | 0% |
| Conditions | Hazy but comfortable |
No interruptions likely, as per MyKhel’s preview. Perfect for cricket under lights.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women – Squad Analysis & Key Strengths/Weaknesses
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women enter this match with momentum. Their opening thriller against Mumbai Indians—a last-ball win thanks to Nadine de Klerk’s heroics—showed grit.
But challenges loom. Ellyse Perry’s withdrawal for personal reasons leaves a void. Pooja Vastrakar’s injury delay hurts too. As X user @BhushanManmath noted, “the ‘Perry-sized’ hole in the batting is massive.”
Batting highlights: New openers Smriti Mandhana and Grace Harris started well but need consistency. Middle order collapsed to 65/5 vs MI, per ESPN.
Bowling: Lauren Bell’s swing and Shreyanka Patil’s spin shine. De Klerk’s all-round form is a bonus.
Squad table:
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Smriti Mandhana (c) | Opening Batter |
| Lauren Bell | Bowler |
| Nadine de Klerk | Allrounder |
| Richa Ghosh | Wicketkeeper Batter |
| Grace Harris | Allrounder |
| Dayalan Hemalatha | Top Order Batter |
| Gautami Naik | Allrounder |
| Shreyanka Patil | Allrounder |
| Kumar Prathyoosha | Wicketkeeper Batter |
| Prema Rawat | Bowler |
| Arundhati Reddy | Bowler |
| Sayali Satghare | Allrounder |
| Linsey Smith | Bowler |
| Pooja Vastrakar | Bowler (injured) |
| Georgia Voll | Top Order Batter |
| Radha Yadav | Bowler |
Strengths:
- Finishing prowess (de Klerk’s 63* and 4 wickets).
- Spin variety with Patil and Yadav.
- Momentum from win.
Weaknesses:
- Batting depth thin without Perry.
- Middle-order fragility, as @BhushanManmath highlighted on X.
Recent stats table for key batters/bowlers:
| Player | Recent Stats |
|---|---|
| Richa Ghosh | 10M: 253 Runs, Avg 36.14, SR 167.54 |
| Smriti Mandhana | 10M: 246 Runs, Avg 24.6, SR 125.51 |
| Shreyanka Patil | 2M: 5 Wkts, Econ 5.87, SR 9 |
| Nadine de Klerk | 1M: 4 Wkts, Econ 6.5, SR 6 |
Probable RCB Playing XI
RCB might stick with winners but could tweak for batting beef-up. From CricTracker’s probable:
- Grace Harris
- Smriti Mandhana (c)
- D Hemalatha
- Richa Ghosh (wk)
- Radha Yadav / Georgia Voll
- Nadine de Klerk
- Arundhati Reddy
- Shreyanka Patil
- Prema Rawat
- Linsey Smith
- Lauren Bell
Justification: Harris-Mandhana opening clicked. Voll could add depth if spin not needed early.
Can RCB overcome their batting woes? It’s a big question.
UP Warriorz Women – Squad Analysis & Key Strengths/Weaknesses
UP Warriorz Women are licking wounds after a 10-run loss to Gujarat Giants. Chasing 208, Phoebe Litchfield’s 78 showed promise, but bowling leaked badly.
New captain Meg Lanning brings experience, nearing 1000 WPL runs. As RevSportz Global’s X post says, “Meg Lanning’s #UPWarriorz seek first win.”
Batting: Explosive with Litchfield, Navgire, and Dottin. Indian batters need to step up.
Bowling: Sophie Ecclestone stands out, but others conceded over 9.7 RPO vs GG.
Squad table:
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Meg Lanning (c) | Top Order Batter |
| Harleen Deol | Middle Order Batter |
| Deandra Dottin | Allrounder |
| Sophie Ecclestone | Bowler |
| Kranti Gaud | Bowler |
| Shipra Giri | Wicketkeeper Batter |
| Charli Knott | Batting Allrounder |
| Phoebe Litchfield | Batter |
| Suman Meena | Bowler |
| Kiran Navgire | Middle Order Batter |
| Shikha Pandey | Allrounder |
| Pratika Rawal | Opening Batter |
| Shweta Sehrawat | Batting Allrounder |
| Deepti Sharma | Allrounder |
| Simran Shaikh | Middle Order Batter |
| Asha Sobhana | Allrounder |
| Gongadi Trisha | Opening Batter |
| Chloe Tryon | Allrounder |
Strengths:
- Top-order firepower.
- World-class spin (Ecclestone, Deepti).
- All-round depth.
Weaknesses:
- Pace bowling discipline.
- Wicketkeeping adjustments for Sehrawat, as @RituD307 noted on X about wk issues.
Recent stats table:
| Player | Recent Stats |
|---|---|
| Deepti Sharma | 10M: 211 Runs, Avg 23.44, SR 124.85; 10 Wkts, Econ 8.51 |
| Kiran Navgire | 10M: 155 Runs, Avg 15.5, SR 163.15 |
| Sophie Ecclestone | 10M: 14 Wkts, Econ 7.25, SR 17.14 |
Probable UPW Playing XI
Likely unchanged, per News18:
- Kiran Navgire
- Meg Lanning (c)
- Phoebe Litchfield
- Harleen Deol
- Shweta Sehrawat (wk)
- Deandra Dottin
- Deepti Sharma
- Sophie Ecclestone
- Asha Sobhana
- Shikha Pandey
- Kranti Gaud
Justification: Backing the strong paper XI despite loss.
Can UPW’s bowling rebound? That’s the million-dollar question.
Players to Watch
This match hinges on star performers. Let’s spotlight them with details from online previews.
For RCB:
- Smriti Mandhana: Captain needs a big knock. Shikha Pandey has dismissed her 5 times (45 runs off 42 balls).
- Nadine de Klerk: Red-hot—63* and 4 wickets vs MI. Deepti Sharma has her number (23 off 21, 2 dismissals).
- Richa Ghosh: Explosive at No.4, SR 167.54 recently.
- Lauren Bell: Swing queen, dismissed Kerr early. Upper hand vs Lanning (12 runs off 23, 1 wicket).
- Shreyanka Patil: 12 balls to Lanning for 12 runs, 2 wickets.
For UPW:
- Meg Lanning: Scratchy start but close to 1000 WPL runs (needs 18). Rarely falls to left-arm spin early.
- Phoebe Litchfield: 78 vs GG—inventive strokeplay.
- Sophie Ecclestone: Pick of bowlers (2/32), world’s best.
- Deepti Sharma: All-round threat, key vs de Klerk.
- Shweta Sehrawat: Adjusted to middle order, SR 144+ domestically, but wk glitches.
Table of spotlight stats:
| Player | Key Stat |
|---|---|
| Meg Lanning | 982 WPL runs |
| Nadine de Klerk | 63* & 4/26 vs MI |
| Phoebe Litchfield | 78 off 45 vs GG |
Key Player Battles
Matchups define T20s. Here are 5 epic ones, as teased in the title.
- Shikha Pandey vs Smriti Mandhana: Pandey owns this—5 dismissals in 42 balls. Mandhana scores 45 but struggles.
- Shreyanka Patil vs Meg Lanning: Patil’s 2 wickets in 12 balls for 12 runs. From RCB’s 2024 wins.
- Deepti Sharma vs Nadine de Klerk: Deepti dismissed de Klerk once recently (16 off 15 in WC).
- Lauren Bell vs Phoebe Litchfield: Bell’s swing vs Litchfield’s innovation—early test.
- Sophie Ecclestone vs Richa Ghosh: Ecclestone’s economy vs Ghosh’s power-hitting.
Table of battle records:
| Battle | Stats |
|---|---|
| Pandey vs Mandhana | 5 dismissals, 45 runs off 42 |
| Patil vs Lanning | 2 wkts, 12 runs off 12 |
| Deepti vs de Klerk | 2 dismissals, 23 off 21 |
Which battle excites you most?
Head-to-Head Record
RCB and UPW are tied 3-3, per Sportskeeda. A true rivalry.
Recent H2H table:
| Date | Result |
|---|---|
| Mar 8, 2025 | UPW won by 12 runs |
| Feb 24, 2025 | Tied (UPW won Super Over) |
| Mar 4, 2024 | RCB won by 23 runs |
| Feb 24, 2024 | RCB won by 2 runs |
| Mar 15, 2023 | RCB won by 5 wkts (12 balls left) |
From India Today, both share wins evenly.
Recent Form
RCB: W (vs MI), L, L, L, W (mixed but recent uptick).
UPW: L (vs GG), W, L, L, L (need bounce-back).
Form table:
| Team | Last 5 Results |
|---|---|
| RCB | W L L L W |
| UPW | L W L L L |
As @TheStatsKid1523 on X noted, highest totals vs UPW include RCB’s 213/10.
WPL 2026 Points Table & Standings
Current standings after 4 matches:
| Rank | Team | P | W | L | Pts | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gujarat Giants | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | +0.350 |
| 2 | Mumbai Indians | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | +1.175 |
| 3 | RCB Women | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +0.150 |
| 4 | UP Warriorz | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -0.500 |
| 5 | Delhi Capitals | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -1.350 |
Implications: RCB can go top with win; UPW needs points urgently.
Season stats table (2026 so far):
| Stat | RCB | UPW |
|---|---|---|
| Top Run Scorer | de Klerk (63) | Litchfield (78) |
| Top Wicket Taker | de Klerk (4) | Ecclestone (2) |
| Total Runs Scored | 157 | 197 |
| Total Wickets Taken | 7 | 8 |
Historical seasons (from ESPN):
2025/26: RCB #4 (6 pts), UPW #5 (6 pts)
2024/25: RCB Champions (8 pts), UPW #4 (6 pts)
2023/24: RCB #4 (4 pts), UPW #3 (8 pts)
WPL 2026 So Far – Early Season Takeaways
The league started with bangs: GG’s record 207, RCB’s thriller, MI’s mixed bag.
Trends: High scores, overseas stars dominating (Litchfield, de Klerk). Indian players need more, per X discussions.
Match Prediction – Who Will Win RCB vs UPW?
RCB are slight favorites (55-45), per CricTracker and MyKhel. Momentum, de Klerk’s form, and spin suit conditions.
UPW’s batting can explode, but bowling leaks tilt it.
Scenarios: If RCB bat deep, they win. UPW needs early wickets.
Spoda AI on X predicts UP favored, but majority lean RCB.
For more, check ESPN’s preview .
Read our WPL opener recap on IPL Star.
Final Thoughts
This RCB Women vs UP Warriorz Women WPL 2026 clash is set to thrill. With epic battles and high stakes, it’s must-watch.
We predict RCB edging it, but UPW could surprise.
Who are you backing? Drop your score prediction in the comments! #WPL2026 #RCBvsUPW
For reviews, share your thoughts—helps us improve.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – RCB Women vs UP Warriorz Women WPL 2026
1. When and where is the RCB Women vs UP Warriorz Women 5th match in WPL 2026?
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women vs UP Warriorz Women match, the 5th fixture of Women’s Premier League 2026, was played on January 12, 2026, at 7:30 PM IST at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai. Toss took place at 7:00 PM IST.
2. What is the head-to-head record between Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women and UP Warriorz Women in WPL?
The two teams are locked at 3-3 in WPL history. Their rivalry has produced close contests, including a tie decided by Super Over and multiple low-margin results, making RCB Women vs UP Warriorz Women WPL 2026 one of the most balanced clashes.
3. What is the DY Patil pitch report for RCB vs UPW WPL 2026 5th match?
The DY Patil pitch is typically flat and batting-friendly, with average first-innings scores around 147–160 in recent WPL games, though 200+ totals have appeared in WPL 2026. Early seam movement is expected, followed by spin grip in middle overs. Minimal dew gives a slight advantage to the team batting first, with par score estimated at 180–200.
4. Who are the key players to watch in Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women vs UP Warriorz Women WPL 2026?
Standout performers include Smriti Mandhana and Nadine de Klerk (RCB), Meg Lanning (nearing 1,000 WPL runs), Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Ecclestone, and Deepti Sharma (UPW). De Klerk’s all-round heroics and Ecclestone’s world-class spin are likely game-changers.
5. What is the probable playing XI for RCB Women and UP Warriorz Women in this match?
Probable RCB XI: Grace Harris, Smriti Mandhana (c), D Hemalatha, Richa Ghosh (wk), Georgia Voll/Radha Yadav, Nadine de Klerk, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Prema Rawat, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell. Probable UPW XI: Kiran Navgire, Meg Lanning (c), Phoebe Litchfield, Harleen Deol, Shweta Sehrawat (wk), Deandra Dottin, Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, Asha Sobhana, Shikha Pandey, Kranti Gaud.
6. Who is predicted to win RCB Women vs UP Warriorz Women WPL 2026 5th match?
Analysts slightly favour Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (55–45) due to momentum from their last-ball win over MI, Nadine de Klerk’s red-hot form, and stronger spin options suited to DY Patil conditions.
7. What is the current WPL 2026 points table standing for RCB and UPW?
After early matches: Gujarat Giants lead with 4 points, followed by Mumbai Indians and RCB Women (2 points each). UP Warriorz Women are yet to open their account (0 points). A win for RCB could push them to the top.
8. Which are the most crucial player battles in RCB vs UPW 5th match?
Key matchups: Shikha Pandey vs Smriti Mandhana (Pandey has 5 dismissals), Shreyanka Patil vs Meg Lanning (2 wickets in 12 balls), Deepti Sharma vs Nadine de Klerk, Lauren Bell vs top-order, and Sophie Ecclestone vs Richa Ghosh.
9. Where can I watch RCB Women vs UP Warriorz Women WPL 2026 live?
The match is broadcast live on Star Sports Network and streamed on JioHotstar in India. International viewers can check local broadcasters or official WPL streaming partners.
10. What are the for RCB vs UPW 5th match?
Must-picks: Nadine de Klerk (all-round points machine), Sophie Ecclestone, Phoebe Litchfield, Smriti Mandhana. Safe captaincy choices: de Klerk or Ecclestone. Differentials: Shreyanka Patil, Lauren Bell, Grace Harris. Prioritise all-rounders and top-order batters on this high-scoring venue.