RCB-W vs UPW-W Prediction & Match Preview – WPL 2026, 18th Match

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women won their first five matches before losing the last two, yet they have already secured a playoff place and remain top of the table. This final league game still matters, because a win would send them directly to the final. Smriti Mandhana has scored 236 runs in seven matches at a strike rate of 133, and Grace Harris has smashed 153 at 172.50, taking pressure off the middle and lower order. Richa Ghosh is second on the season’s run charts with 183 from seven games at a strike rate of 154, and Georgia Voll and Nadine de Klerk add finishing power.

Lauren Bell has taken 11 wickets at an economy of 5.67, de Klerk and Shreyanka Patil share 21 between them, and Sayali Satghare has eight wickets in four matches at 7.71.

UP Warriorz Women are bottom with just two wins from six matches and two league games left, so every game is now do-or-die. Phoebe Litchfield has 243 runs from six innings at 155, captain Meg Lanning has 207 at 124, and Harleen Deol has added 150 at a strike rate of 127. The lower middle order has been patchy, though Shweta Sehrawat, Deepti Sharma and Chloe Tryon have shown flashes. Sophie Ecclestone has six wickets at 8.04 an over, Deepti and Shikha Pandey have five each, and Asha Sobhana two, with control a concern.

Probable playing XI

Pitch report

The BCA Stadium pitch usually produces a balanced contest. Seamers get some early movement and bounce, so the first few overs need care, before the surface settles and becomes better for batting and partnerships. Later in the innings it can slow down, helping spinners who bowl with control and variation.

Weather

The evening of 29 January in Vadodara should be pleasant, mostly clear and dry at roughly 24 to 25°C, with a light breeze. Rising humidity could bring some dew in the second innings, which may help batters.

Expected scores

• 1st innings: 160–175
• 2nd innings: 155–170

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