147/2 (13.1)
CR : 11.16
143/8 (20.0)
CR : 7.15
RCB Women won by 8 wickets π
Player of the Match
Grace Harris
2/2275(37)
Most league stage wins in a WPL season:
6 - DC in 2023
6 - MI in 2023
6 - DC in 2024
6 - RCB in 2026*
6 - DC in 2023
6 - MI in 2023
6 - DC in 2024
6 - RCB in 2026*
Meg Lanning (UP Warriorz Women Captain): "Obviously, disappointing. We got a reasonable platform with the bat but didn't carry on. It's been the trend for us so far. Get the platform and lose wickets in clumps. Grace was brilliant and took the game away from us. RCB too good and credit to them.
As I mentioned, every time we got some momentum in the tournament, we gave away wickets and gave away the advantage. If you are going, you have to keep going and carry the momentum. Me as well. I got to 40 and failed to carry one. It's been throughout the tournament and that's something we have to improve.
(On Harris and Mandhana) They both batted really well. They played the conditions really well and we erred. We couldn't come up with an answer tonight.
(On WPL 2026 schedule) It is what it is. We had enough time to train. No excuses. I don't really think about it. RCB outplayed us tonight and we weren't good enough."
As I mentioned, every time we got some momentum in the tournament, we gave away wickets and gave away the advantage. If you are going, you have to keep going and carry the momentum. Me as well. I got to 40 and failed to carry one. It's been throughout the tournament and that's something we have to improve.
(On Harris and Mandhana) They both batted really well. They played the conditions really well and we erred. We couldn't come up with an answer tonight.
(On WPL 2026 schedule) It is what it is. We had enough time to train. No excuses. I don't really think about it. RCB outplayed us tonight and we weren't good enough."
Lauren Bell (RCB): "(On reaching the final) We obviously started the tournament strong. Happy to get to the final. Just get ready for the final which I think is next Thursday.
(On what's working for her this season) I feel I'm in a very good rhythm. The ball is coming out of the hand well. I'm very clear with my role. I'm glad that I can contribute to the team and help the side get across the line.
(On seeing Deepti open the batting) We weren't sure who was going to open for them tonight. The match-up is the same. My first aim is to bowl on the pads and get it to swing away.
(On the pitch tonight) It's definitely better than the first night. There was a bit of bounce for me. The pace-off also worked for us at the back end of the innings.
(On Nadine taking Deepti's catch at short fine leg) I got swapped. It was a bit of a hot spot and Nadine is a good fielder. If there is a chance, Nadine should be there. I got swapped."
(On what's working for her this season) I feel I'm in a very good rhythm. The ball is coming out of the hand well. I'm very clear with my role. I'm glad that I can contribute to the team and help the side get across the line.
(On seeing Deepti open the batting) We weren't sure who was going to open for them tonight. The match-up is the same. My first aim is to bowl on the pads and get it to swing away.
(On the pitch tonight) It's definitely better than the first night. There was a bit of bounce for me. The pace-off also worked for us at the back end of the innings.
(On Nadine taking Deepti's catch at short fine leg) I got swapped. It was a bit of a hot spot and Nadine is a good fielder. If there is a chance, Nadine should be there. I got swapped."
Trivia: RCB have completed the double over UP Warriorz this season in dominant fashion. In the reverse fixture, UP Warriorz managed 143/5 and RCB chased down the target with 47 balls to spare. Tonight, UP Warriorz once again finished on 143, this time at 143/8 and RCB comfortably hunted down the target again, sealing victory with 41 balls remaining.
10:44 PM IST & Local Time: Time for the Post-Match Presentation!
Smriti Mandhana (RCB Women Captain): "Yeah, it was a brilliant game. They got off to an awesome start with the bat. They were almost 60 or 70 for no loss. From there on, it was a really good comeback from the bowlers. Big mention for Grace. I mean she came in to bowl for the first time in the tournament and she picked up two important wickets. Everyone bowled extremely well. Nadine again was outstanding. It was a pleasing sight to watch.
Well, in the last two games we didn't play well but we decided to play good cricket rather than digging a hole. After getting off to a good start in the tournament, a defeat here and there can happen. Nat played a blinder in the last game. You have to give credit to the other players. I feel we have a pretty hardworking group. They are wanting to learn a lot and as a support staff if you have young players like them, you just need to tell them to be at it.
(Anything spoken before this game?) We have said the exact thing in the last three games that we are just one win away from the finals. I feel the support staff which we have are pretty consistent with what they speak. They treat everyone in the same manner. The message has been clear. We are happy that we got the win today and made it to the Finals.
(On having a week off before the Finals) First 3-4 days everyone can take rest and do whatever they want but in the last two days, we will work really hard and be ready for the Finals. Looking forward for a week off now."
Well, in the last two games we didn't play well but we decided to play good cricket rather than digging a hole. After getting off to a good start in the tournament, a defeat here and there can happen. Nat played a blinder in the last game. You have to give credit to the other players. I feel we have a pretty hardworking group. They are wanting to learn a lot and as a support staff if you have young players like them, you just need to tell them to be at it.
(Anything spoken before this game?) We have said the exact thing in the last three games that we are just one win away from the finals. I feel the support staff which we have are pretty consistent with what they speak. They treat everyone in the same manner. The message has been clear. We are happy that we got the win today and made it to the Finals.
(On having a week off before the Finals) First 3-4 days everyone can take rest and do whatever they want but in the last two days, we will work really hard and be ready for the Finals. Looking forward for a week off now."
Player of the Match: Grace Harris
Grace Harris (Player of the Match): "I'm just glad that I'm classified as an all-rounder for this game. When Smriti said you are bowling the next over, I said Yeahhh!!!! I'm working on my batting. I have gone back to my older self and I'm enjoying it.
(On things she has worked on) Mainly just my head position. I have done some technical skills. Also, I have worked on where I can access against different bowlers. Some technical tweaks have helped me access different parts of the ground.
(On facing spin) We go through tactical side of how to face different spinners. I'm trying not to overthink that. I'm a bit stronger than others. It's advantageous because I can clear the boundary.
(On batting with Mandhana) When we glove tap, I'm using all the oxygen because I do all the talking. She's composed and knows all her game. She lets me talk and say whatever I want to. She just refocuses before the next ball."
(On things she has worked on) Mainly just my head position. I have done some technical skills. Also, I have worked on where I can access against different bowlers. Some technical tweaks have helped me access different parts of the ground.
(On facing spin) We go through tactical side of how to face different spinners. I'm trying not to overthink that. I'm a bit stronger than others. It's advantageous because I can clear the boundary.
(On batting with Mandhana) When we glove tap, I'm using all the oxygen because I do all the talking. She's composed and knows all her game. She lets me talk and say whatever I want to. She just refocuses before the next ball."
Most Player of the Match Awards in WPL:
9 - Harmanpreet Kaur (MI)
5 - Jess Jonassen (DC), Marizanne Kapp (DC), Nat Sciver-Brunt (MI), Grace Harris (UPW/RCB)*
9 - Harmanpreet Kaur (MI)
5 - Jess Jonassen (DC), Marizanne Kapp (DC), Nat Sciver-Brunt (MI), Grace Harris (UPW/RCB)*
The 2024 champions have absolutely hammered the UP Warriorz tonight and stamped their authority by booking a place in the Grand Finale of WPL 2026. RCB now earn themselves a well-deserved break and will next take the field on Thursday, 5th February, for the summit clash. Itβs heartbreak for UP Warriorz, who are now all but out of the competition after this heavy defeat.
For now, this is Pritam Dey signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Akshay Bhide who, along with scorer/analyst Manish Bishnoi & statistician Aman brought all the updates of this clash. Stay tuned for more cricketing action from around the world. BYE BYEπ
For now, this is Pritam Dey signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Akshay Bhide who, along with scorer/analyst Manish Bishnoi & statistician Aman brought all the updates of this clash. Stay tuned for more cricketing action from around the world. BYE BYEπ