WPL 2026 preview: RCB Women vs UP Warriorz — what to expect at DY Patil
The fifth match of the Women’s Premier League 2026 brings Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (RCB-W) and UP Warriorz Women (UPW-W) to Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai. The game starts at 7:30 PM IST and both teams will be keen to build early momentum in the tournament.
Match details
| Match | Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women vs UP Warriorz Women — 5th Match, WPL 2026 |
| Date & Time | Monday, January 12 — 7:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai |
| Broadcast | TV – Star Sports Network; Live stream – JioCinema |
Form guide
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women
RCB-W arrive with confidence after a strong chase in their opener, successfully chasing 155 against Mumbai Indians Women. Smriti Mandhana and Grace Harris gave them a brisk start, while Nadine de Klerk finished the job with an unbeaten 63 off 44. De Klerk then produced a match-defining bowling spell (4 for 26), and Lauren Bell offered reliable support. RCB look well balanced — power at the top and genuine wicket-taking options through the lineup.
UP Warriorz Women
UP Warriorz were agonisingly close in their first match, falling short by 10 runs while chasing 208. Phoebe Litchfield was outstanding with a 78 off 40, and Asha Sobhana provided strong late hitting. The batting showed big-hitting depth, but the bowling leaked runs and will need tightening. If UPW can control the runs up front, their middle-order firepower makes them a real threat.
Pitch report — DY Patil, Navi Mumbai
The DY Patil surface is typically balanced. Pacers get a bit of movement early, and spinners can grip in patches during the first innings. Once batters are set, the outfield is quick and scoring becomes easier. Dew can be a factor in the second half, reducing spin effectiveness and helping chases. A par first-innings score here is around 160–170.
Weather outlook
Clear skies are expected with coastal humidity. Temperatures should range from about 21–25°C, bringing a cool breeze in the evening. No rain is forecast, so conditions should be ideal for a full game.
Head-to-head (T20)
| Matches played | 6 |
| RCB Women wins | 3 |
| UP Warriorz wins | 2 |
| Tied | 1 |
| No result | 0 |
Probable XIs
- RCB Women: Smriti Mandhana (c), Grace Harris, Dayalan Hemalatha, Richa Ghosh (wk), Radha Yadav, Nadine de Klerk, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Prema Rawat, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell
- UP Warriorz: Meg Lanning (c), Kiran Navgire, Phoebe Litchfield, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Deandra Dottin, Shweta Sehrawat (wk), Asha Sobhana, Sophie Ecclestone, Shikha Pandey, Kranti Gaud
Players to watch
- Nadine de Klerk (RCB-W) — A genuine all-round match-winner. Her unbeaten 63 and four-wicket haul in the opener underlined her value with both bat and ball. If she repeats anything close to that form, RCB will be very hard to stop.
- Phoebe Litchfield (UPW-W) — Capable of changing the game in a few overs. Her 78 off 40 showed clinical timing and power. UPW rely on her to anchor and accelerate the chase when required.
Toss and match scenarios
Toss trend at DY Patil
- In recent women’s T20s at this venue, captains have often chosen to bowl first after winning the toss.
- Across 23 women’s T20s at DY Patil, teams chasing have won a majority of games — batting second has produced more results.
Scenario 1 — Toss winner: RCB-W (opts to bowl first)
- Power-play score: 40–45
- UPW-W total: 145–165
- Likely result: RCB Women
Scenario 2 — Toss winner: UPW-W (opts to bowl first)
- Power-play score: 42–52
- RCB-W total: 150–170
- Likely result: RCB Women
Match prediction
Both sides have heavy hitters and match-winners, but RCB-W currently look slightly more balanced thanks to a bowling unit that can take wickets and an in-form all-rounder like Nadine de Klerk. UP Warriorz are dangerous when Phoebe Litchfield is on song, and if their bowlers plug the leaks they can easily upset RCB. On paper and form, RCB have a narrow edge, but this promises to be a competitive evening game under the lights.
Expect an entertaining contest at DY Patil — fast outfield, dew later, and fireworks from both batting lineups.