Reflecting on their chase prowess, RCB had previously hunted down targets against UP Warriors (47 balls spare this season) and Gujarat Giants (45 balls in 2024 Bengaluru). Six triumphs from eight outings not only shattered records but also tied RCB with past powerhouses like Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians, all with six league wins apiece.

Skipper Smriti Mandhana’s unbeaten 54 from 27 deliveries – laced with eight boundaries and a brace of sixes – was the standout act. She now ranks second for RCB in most fifties, trailing only Alyssa Healy’s eight, while Richa Ghosh sits at five.

UP Warriors’ innings folded at 143 for eight after opting to set a target. Deepti Sharma’s gritty 55 and Meg Lanning’s 41 provided some resistance, but Nadine de Klerk’s four-wicket haul dismantled them.

RCB’s response was electric: Grace Harris’s explosive 75 off minimal balls complemented Mandhana’s anchor role, wrapping up the chase in 13.1 overs. As the final looms on February 5, RCB’s blend of experience and aggression makes them the team to beat in WPL 2026.

Thursday’s 18th league fixture saw RCB dismantle UP Warriors by 8 wickets in Vadodara. The Warriors managed 143/8, but RCB’s batsmen cruised home in 13.1 overs. As defending champions from 2024, RCB now hunts for back-to-back glory.

Mandhana was candid about the early threats posed by UP’s openers. ‘What a game it was,’ she remarked to broadcasters. ‘Lanning and Deepti gave them a flying start – 60-70 runs without wicket. But our bowlers flipped the script. Grace’s two strikes were crucial, de Klerk bowled brilliantly, and the entire unit clicked. Team bowling at this level is pure delight.’

Addressing the two prior defeats, she stressed resilience. ‘Post those losses, we avoided emotional pitfalls. After dominating the first five games, we gave credit where due – like to Nat Sciver-Brunt last time. We analyzed objectively, pinpointed improvements, and executed.’

On team communication, Mandhana noted, ‘The message never wavered: one win from the final. Support staff’s steady guidance, regardless of results, has been our backbone. Over three matches, that narrative held, and securing it straight to the final feels incredible.’

This victory underscores RCB’s depth and Mandhana’s tactical acumen, positioning them strongly for the ultimate prize.

Smriti Mandhana’s RCB has dominated the tournament so far, clinching five straight wins and booking their playoff spot. The defending champions face Delhi Capitals next on Saturday at BCA Stadium, and Vastrakar’s inclusion promises to elevate their performance across formats.

The 2024 shoulder injury forced Vastrakar out of competitive cricket, leading to intensive rehab at BCCI’s Bengaluru facility. A subsequent hamstring issue postponed her WPL return, but she’s now fully fit and ready to unleash her skills.

The franchise welcomed her with an enthusiastic X post: ‘Welcome back, Pooja Vastrakar to the Reds! Bringing experience, grit, speed, and lower-order muscle. Back stronger post-injury, silencing the doubters. Twelfth Man Army salutes you in red, blue, and gold for a fresh chapter.’

After Mumbai Indians let her go, RCB invested Rs 85 lakh in her during the New Delhi mega auction last year. Vastrakar’s stellar stats include 58 T20I wickets from 72 games, 27 ODI wickets with 585 runs and four fifties in 33 matches, and 15 Test scalps in five outings.

Her WPL stint with MI yielded seven wickets and 126 runs in 16 games. As RCB eyes another trophy, Vastrakar’s pace, experience, and batting prowess position them as frontrunners. This comeback story underscores resilience in women’s cricket, setting the stage for playoff drama.

Opting to field, GG saw RCB’s batswomen rise from early trouble. After a precarious 9 for 2, Smriti Mandhana and Gautami Naik rebuilt with a solid 60-run alliance. Mandhana’s 26 off 23 gave way to Naik’s masterful 73 (55 balls, 7×4, 1×6) and Richa Ghosh’s 27, pushing RCB to a challenging 178/6.

Bowlers Kashvee Gautam and Ashleigh Gardner struck twice each for GG, supported by single scalps from Renuka and Sophie Devine.

GG’s chase unraveled from the outset, losing three quick wickets for five runs. Anuska Sharma (18) and Gardner (54 off 43) offered resistance with a 29-run stand, followed by Fulmali’s 14 in a 41-run effort, but the middle order crumbled to 56/6. They limped to 117/8.

Sayali Satghare’s three-wicket haul led RCB’s attack, with de Klerk (2), Bell, Yadav, and Patil claiming the rest. RCB’s relentless momentum positions them as frontrunners in the playoff race, showcasing depth in batting and bowling.