After back-to-back defeats threatened to dent their momentum, Royal Challengers Bengaluru produced a commanding performance to return to winning ways in the Women’s Premier League on Thursday. Riding on outstanding contributions from Grace Harris and Nadine de Klerk, RCB outclassed UP Warriorz by eight wickets at the Kotambi Stadium.
The emphatic victory ensured that the Smriti Mandhana-led side finished on top of the league phase with 12 points from eight matches. RCB have now sealed a direct berth in the final of the fourth WPL season, scheduled for February 5. For UP Warriorz, the loss all but confirmed their elimination, with only a mathematical miracle keeping their hopes alive ahead of their final league game against Delhi Capitals on Sunday.
De Klerk laid the foundation for RCB’s success with a superb bowling spell, returning figures of four wickets to restrict Warriorz to 143 for eight. Her breakthroughs ensured that UP could never fully capitalise on a promising start. In reply, Harris made light work of the chase with a blistering 75 off just 37 balls, laced with 13 fours and two sixes, as the defending champions reached the target in just 13.1 overs. Mandhana played a calm supporting role, finishing unbeaten on 54.
Harris set the tone early, unleashing a ferocious assault during the PowerPlay. She targeted young seamer Kranti Gaud, smashing five boundaries in a single over and flashing a broad grin as she dominated proceedings. By the end of the first six overs, Harris had already raced to 49, with RCB cruising at 63 without loss.
Her half-century came off just 28 balls, brought up in style in the seventh over when she lofted Asha Sobhana straight over long-on for six.
Earlier, UP Warriorz struggled to build on a solid opening stand of 74 between Deepti Sharma (55) and Meg Lanning (41). The partnership was broken when de Klerk dismissed Lanning in the ninth over, and the momentum quickly swung RCB’s way. A leg-before decision against Amy Jones followed soon after, and de Klerk capped her spell with two more wickets while conceding just six runs in the final over.
It was a clinical all-round display from RCB, reaffirming their status as title favourites heading into the final.
