Royal Challengers Bengaluru strengthened the status of the team that will win WPL 2026delivery a clinical eight-valve dissection of UP Warriors punching his ticket straight to the grand final. This high-stakes win in Vadodara saw the defending champions keep their cool under pressure, effectively neutralizing a dangerous opponent through tactical superiority and individual brilliance. Finishing at the top of the points table, Smriti Mandhana’s side bypassed the Eliminator, earning a well-deserved week off before the final battle.
WPL 2026: Grace Harris delivers powerful masterclass with Smriti Mandhana for RCB
Grace Harris He once again proved to be the ultimate game changer as he smashed a brutal 75 off just 39 balls to make a mockery of the 144 run target, chasing down the former franchise. Harris, who opened the innings along with captain Mandhana, wasted no time in asserting his dominance, nullifying the Warriorz’s powerplay strategy with a flurry of boundaries that cleared the ropes with ease. His innings was a calculated attack, with nine fours and four powerful sixes as he reached his half-century off just 22 deliveries and effectively killed the competition within the first eight overs.
The Australian all-rounder’s ability to manipulate the field and target specific bowlers Meg Lanning Harris remained unanswered as he shared a record-breaking opening stand of 108 at 10 under. Although he eventually fell in the 13th over, his dismissal was a mere formality as the required rate fell short of three runs per over. The performance cemented her position as a top contender for the Orange Cap and demonstrated her reputation as one of the most devastating finishers in the women’s game.
Watching the carnage from the best seat in the house, Mandhana delivered a sustained unbeaten 54-ball run with perfect foil to complete the chase in 41 balls. The sheer speed of Harris’s knock not only secured the two points but also gave RCB’s net run rate a huge boost, leaving their championship credentials in no doubt.
RCB bowling unit Nadine de Klerk stifles UP Warriorz
RCB’s triumph was underpinned by a disciplined bowling performance that restricted the dangerous Warriorz line-up to a sub-par 143/8. After electing to field, they had to remain patient as Bengaluru bowlers Meg Lanning (40) and Deepti Sharma (55) set a steady 74-run platform for the visitors. The breakthrough finally came through Nadine de KlerkEffectively dismantled the middle order within minutes, producing a sensational triple-wicket burst to finish with career-best figures of 4/22.
Harris also made significant contributions with the ball, outfoxing Harleen Deol and Chloe Tryon Claiming 2/22 and triggering a collapse that saw the Warriors lose four wickets for just 11 runs. Shreyanka Patil removing the set, providing the finishing touches Deepti Sharma One over from the end to ensure no late hits for the opposition. Lauren Bell he showed characteristic stinginess at the other end, putting relentless pressure on the new batsmen, conceding just 21 runs from his four overs.
A collective effort from the bowling unit meant that the Warriors never found the acceleration they needed on a surface that was beginning to offer grip for the spinners, despite having wickets in hand earlier. Full Georgiawas equally impressive, with two vital bags of catches to keep the pressure high throughout the 20-over innings. This all-round dominance with the ball allowed the RCB batsmen to play freely, knowing that the target was well below the nominal score at the Kotambi Stadium.
Here’s how the fans reacted:
FINAL HERE WE COME 👊
– Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) January 29, 2026
That’s what Grace Harris can do. The queen is back 🥶❤️ pic.twitter.com/cbItj7l45M
— Pari (@BluntIndianGal) January 29, 2026
If someone had told me at the start of this WPL season that RCB without Ellyse Perry would have played straight into the FINAL after winning 6 out of 8 league games, I would never have believed them. 😅
— Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha) January 29, 2026
What a season this has been for RCB
They topped the table for the first time in the group stage #WPL
Now there is one win to the championship#WPL2026 #Upwvrcb
— Mohit Shah (@mohit_shah17) January 29, 2026
Biceps Feast by Grace Harris 🥶 pic.twitter.com/aHc4ODMdEF
— Vivek (@Hailkohli18) January 29, 2026
RCB may not be the best team on paper, but throughout the tournament, this team played the best cricket of all the teams even without Perry and Pooja. One or the other generally rose at different times. A very well-deserved first place and final.
— GK (@FCBxRCB) January 29, 2026
RCB then make it to three finals in a row!
✅WPL 2024
✅ IPL 2025
✅WPL 2026
Time to make it 3 titles in a row! 🏏🤞— Sohini M. (@Mittermaniac) January 29, 2026
🚨 RCB WPL 2026 FINAL 🚨
– Complete supremacy of Smriti Mandhana and her army. pic.twitter.com/nubJ9bjLyP
– Jones. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 29, 2026
THE FINAL LADIES ARE CALLING 🤙🏼 pic.twitter.com/XDdstbScaF
— arfan (@Im__Arfan) January 29, 2026
RCB- First finalist #WPL2026 🌟#RCB pic.twitter.com/XyK3zrVetO
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 29, 2026
Also READ: Top 5 players who have successfully defended lowest runs in finals of WPL matches ft. Sophie Devine
This article was originally published here WomenCricket.coma Cricket Times company.
