In Match 18 of the ongoing Women’s Premier League 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (BLR-W) will face UP Warriorz Women (UP-W). This will be the final game for the UP franchise, as their hopes of advancing to the next stage rely solely on mathematical possibilities.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women vs UP Warriorz Women: Preview
All eyes are on RCB as they fight to keep their playoff hopes alive. Currently placed fourth, the defending champions must secure victories in both of their remaining matches—starting with this clash against bottom-placed UP Warriorz—while also relying on favorable outcomes in other games. A single defeat in their last two fixtures will end their chances of qualification. Meanwhile, the Warriorz were officially eliminated after their loss to Gujarat Giants on Friday and will aim to finish the season on a positive note.
Four consecutive home defeats have pushed Royal Challengers Bengaluru to the brink of matching their disappointing record from the inaugural season. No team understands better how a prolonged winless streak can impact playoff qualification. Interestingly, it was against UP Warriorz in WPL 2023 that RCB finally broke their losing streak, and this time, the Warriorz will be hoping to return the favor by denting RCB’s chances of a top-three finish on Saturday.
RCB’s campaign has been riddled with inconsistency, suffering four consecutive defeats after an initial two-game winning streak. Their batting has heavily relied on Ellyse Perry, while Smriti Mandhana has struggled for form. The rest of the lineup has been unpredictable. On the bowling front, Renuka Singh, Kim Garth, and Georgia Wareham have shouldered the main workload, taking a combined 25 wickets. However, RCB has lacked depth in their fourth and fifth bowling options. Will a six-day break be enough for them to regroup?
Despite unwavering support from an average crowd of 28,000 during the Bengaluru leg, RCB found the pitch conditions working against them, negating their home advantage. Losing all four tosses only added to their woes. Their over-reliance on Ellyse Perry has been evident, whether they acknowledge it or not. Perry, with her “inhumane effort,” has amassed 295 runs in six innings at an astonishing average of 98.3, frequently donning the tournament’s Orange Cap. In contrast, the rest of RCB’s top four have collectively managed 358 runs at an average of 22.37. If Smriti Mandhana’s match-winning 81 and Danni Wyatt-Hodge’s maiden fifty against UPW are excluded, the numbers paint an even bleaker picture.
The Warriorz, on the other hand, have battled issues across both departments, with frequent batting order changes further compounding their struggles. Despite her finishing prowess, Chinelle Henry hasn’t been promoted to stabilize the middle order. Deepti Sharma has also endured a lackluster season as both captain and bowler, managing just five wickets in seven matches at an economy rate of 8.11. Sophie Ecclestone has been the only bowler posing a real threat.
Batting struggles have been a common theme for both teams. The Warriorz have experimented with their opening pair three times in the last four matches, revolving around Grace Harris. However, with Georgia Voll’s maiden half-century, they may have finally found stability in their Australian duo. Poor team balance—an uneven mix of domestic talent and international experience—has already caused significant damage, often leaving their power-hitters with too much to do at the end. While there have been flashes of brilliance, like Chinelle Henry’s assault on Delhi Capitals or Sophie Ecclestone’s dramatic heist against RCB, the Warriorz have largely struggled beyond those isolated wins.
On paper, only net run rate separates RCB (-0.244) and UPW (-0.785), but RCB have the advantage of an extra game in hand, set to be played in Mumbai on the final night of the league stage. The Warriorz’s defeat to Gujarat Giants in their homecoming clash has left them clinging to playoff hopes by a mathematical thread, requiring favorable results elsewhere. But first, they must take matters into their own hands and end their inconsistent season on a high with a victory over RCB to climb the standings.
When these two sides last met, the contest ended in a dramatic Super Over, with the Warriorz emerging victorious. Will RCB turn the tables this time?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women vs UP Warriorz Women: Head-to-head
- Matches Played: 05
- Won by Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women: 03
- Won by UP Warriorz Women: 02
- Tied: 00
- No Result: 00
- First-ever Fixture: March 10, 2023
- Most-recent Fixture: February 24, 2025
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women vs UP Warriorz Women: Pitch Report
Dew has once again become a key factor in WPL 2025, particularly in Lucknow, where it tends to be heavy during evening matches. As a result, teams are likely to prefer chasing. The pitch at the Ekana International Cricket Stadium offers low bounce, making stroke play slightly challenging. Weather conditions are expected to be pleasant and clear, with no threat of rain. Winning the toss could lead to a decision to bowl first, allowing the team to gain momentum and capitalize on easier batting conditions in the second innings.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women vs UP Warriorz Women: Form Guide
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: LLL (last three matches, most recent first)
UP Warriorz: LLL
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women vs UP Warriorz Women: Team News and Predicted XI
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women – Team News
RCB are expected to rely on the seasoned duo of Sneh Rana and Ekta Bisht to handle spin duties. After the match against DC, skipper Mandhana dismissed speculation about a possible tactical decision to retire out Raghavi Bist due to her slow start.
However, with a week gone by and their campaign hanging by a thread, they might feel compelled to make some adjustments.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women – Predicted XI
- Smriti Mandhana (capt)
- Danni Wyatt-Hodge
- Ellyse Perry
- Raghvi Bisht
- Richa Ghosh (wk)
- Kanika Ahuja
- Georgia Wareham
- Sneh Rana
- Kim Garth
- Ekta Bisht
- Renuka Singh
UP Warriorz Women – Team News
Gouher Sultana featured in two matches in Lucknow but bowled just one over, conceding 16 runs. With Rajeshwari Gayakwad having played only once this season, it remains uncertain whether the Warriorz will recall her.
If changes are made, Sultana could be replaced by Gayakwad as a like-for-like swap or by an extra pacer.
UP Warriorz Women – Predicted XI
- Grace Harris
- Georgia Voll
- Kiran Navgire
- Vrinda Dinesh
- Deepti Sharma (capt)
- Shweta Sehrawat
- Uma Chetry (wk)
- Chinelle Henry
- Sophie Ecclestone
- Gouher Sultana/Rajeshwari Gayakwad
- Kranti Goud
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women vs UP Warriorz Women: Players To Watch Out For
Ellyse Perry (Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women)
Ellyse Perry has been RCB’s standout batter this season, leading the charts with four half-centuries—the most by any player in WPL 2025. She has amassed 295 runs in six games at an impressive strike rate of 149.74.
With Mandhana and Danni Wyatt-Hodge struggling for consistency at the top, the spotlight will once again be on the Australian allrounder. Lucknow has already seen three half-centuries from top-order batters in the first two matches. Can Perry step up once more when RCB needs her the most?
Sophie Ecclestone (UP Warriorz Women)
Sophie Ecclestone delivered a standout all-round performance at the Chinnaswamy Stadium when RCB faced the Warriorz two weeks ago. She remains the only Warriorz bowler to have completed her full quota of four overs in all seven matches, picking up six wickets at an economy rate of 6.96.
Can she make an impact once again in the rematch?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women vs UP Warriorz Women: Prediction
Scenario 1
- Toss: Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women win the toss and bowl
- Powerplay Score: 35-45
- UP Warriorz Women Total: 130-140
- Match Result: Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women win the match
Scenario 2
- Toss: UP Warriorz Women win the toss and bowl
- Powerplay Score: 45-55
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women Total: 140-150
- Match Result: Warriorz Women win the match
When and Where To Watch Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women vs UP Warriorz Women LIVE? Broadcast and Streaming Details
The Women’s Premier League 2025 clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women and UP Warriorz Women is set to begin at 7:30 PM IST on Saturday, March 8, at Ekana International Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network and will also be available for live streaming on JioHotstar for FREE.
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