The BCA Stadium in Vadodara hosts WPL 2026’s 18th thriller, where Royal Challengers Bengaluru, toss victors, chose to bowl against scrambling UP Warriors. Smriti Mandhana’s side, locked in playoffs post five opening triumphs, aims to arrest a two-match skid.
Mandhana’s toss verdict: ‘Bowling first – solid batting surface. We mastered it initially; now simplify. Pooja Vastrakar for Gautami Naik is our tweak.’
UP Warriors captain Meg Lanning, steering a sinking ship fifth with four defeats in six, vowed fight. ‘Must-win territory. Break honed our edges.’ Squad shifts: Amy Jones over Lichfield, Simran Sheikh replacing Navgire.
Team revamps – Abhishek Nair as coach, Lanning succeeding Deepti Sharma – faltered so far. Current ladder: Gujarat Giants 2nd (4/7), MI 3rd (3/7), DC 4th (3/7), playoffs wide open.
Warriors lineup: Lanning (c), Sheikh, Jones (wk), Deol, Tryon, Sharma, Sehrawat, Ecclestone, Sobhana, Pandey, Gaud.
RCB: Harris, Mandhana (c), Voll, Yadav, Ghosh (wk), de Klerk, Vastrakar, Reddy, Satghare, Patil, Bell.
UP chases survival; RCB polishes rhythm. This showdown promises drama and decisive shifts in fortunes.