WPL 2026: Predicting the Royal Challengers Bengaluru XI and the UP Warriorz Women XI for Match 18

Royal Challengers Bengaluru take on UP Warriorz in a highly-anticipated clash in the ongoing Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026. This crucial encounter will be held at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on Thursday, January 29.

After winning five games on the trot and ensuring a spot in the playoffs, the Royal Challengers have lost two on the bounce. In their last game against Mumbai Indians, Richa Ghosh’s astounding knock was not enough to take Bengaluru across the line.

Meanwhile, UP Warriorz have their backs against the wall and will be desperate to return to winning ways. Meg Lanning and Co. are in dire straits at the foot of the table, as they have only two wins from six matches.

Here is the predicted Royal Challengers Bengaluru XI for match 18 of WPL 2026:

Top Order: Grace Harris, Smriti Mandhana (C), Georgia Voll

Grace Harris has a strike rate of 171.92 this season but has not scored the amount of runs she would have liked. Smriti Mandhana has had some low scores but still aggregated 236 runs at an average of 39.33. Georgia Voll has only scored 21 runs in three innings since her half-century against the Delhi Capitals on January 17.

Middle Order: Gautami Naik, Richa Ghosh (WK), Nadine de Klerk

Gautami Naik will also have to get her act right, as she is averaging just 21.50 from four games. Richa Ghosh would have bitter-sweet memories from the last match. While she played one of the best counterattacking knocks in the tournament’s history, Richa failed to take her team home. Nadine de Klerk has a batting average of 42 and a bowling average of 16.45.

Lower Order: Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil, Arundhati Reddy

Radha Yadav has only picked up two wickets at 59.50. With the bat, she has fared better, scoring one half-century in five innings. Shreyanka Patil took a five-for against Gujarat Giants but has only five wickets from the remaining six games. Arundhati Reddy has also been abysmal, accounting for one wicket in five games.

Bowlers: Sayali Satghare, Lauren Bell

Sayali Satghare was taken to the cleaners in the last game. However, she will want to forget their encounter as she bowled brilliantly in the previous matches, bagging a total of eight wickets. Lauren Bell is undoubtedly the spearhead of RCB’s bowling this year. Even in the high-scoring clash against Mumbai, she finished with figures of 2/21 in four overs.

Here is the predicted UP Warriorz XI for match 18 of WPL 2026:

Top Order: Meg Lanning, Kiran Navgire, Phoebe Litchfield

Meg Lanning has blown hot and cold in the tournament so far. She has two fifties to her name and is averaging 34.50. Kiran Navgire, however, has been in miserable form, scoring just 16 runs in six innings at 2.67. Phoebe Litchfield could have a key role to play on Thursday. She is third on the list of leading run-getters this season.

Middle Order: Harleen Deol, Chloe Tryon, Deepti Sharma

Harleen Deol has 150 runs from six innings at an average of 30. Meanwhile, Chloe Tryon has been in fine form, scoring her runs at an average of 39.50 and a strike rate of 161.23. The South African all-rounder has also taken two wickets in four games. Deepti Sharma has been nowhere close to her best. She is averaging 13 with the bat and 33 with the ball.

Lower Order: Shweta Sehrawat (WK), Asha Sobhana, Sophie Ecclestone

Shweta Sehrawat, 21, has only scored 39 runs in five innings. Meanwhile, Asha Sobhana has 36 runs and two wickets from six matches. The England spinner Sophie Ecclestone has only picked up six wickets in as many matches.

Bowlers: Shikha Pandey, Kranti Gaud

Shikha Pandey has five wickets from six games at an average of 37.40. Kranti Gaud, a member of India’s 2025 ODI World Cup-winning team, has taken three wickets from six matches at an average of 45.33.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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