Vadodara, Jan 29 (NationPress) The UP Warriorz (UPW) achieved a noteworthy total of 143/8 in 20 overs, thanks to the explosive start from skipper Meg Lanning and a determined innings of 55 runs off 43 balls by all-rounder Deepti Sharma. This performance came during the critical match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), which was the 18th match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026, held at the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium in Kotambi, Vidarbha on Thursday.

The Warriorz started positively after being asked to bat first, with a new opening pair that proved effective, as Lanning and Deepti forged a remarkable partnership that yielded 50 runs during the Power-play without losing any wickets.

This marked UPW's first 50-plus opening stand in seven innings this season, and it became the second-highest Power-play score for the team this year, following their 56/1 against the Mumbai Indians.

Although Lanning got off to a strong start and appeared set for a substantial innings, her time at the crease was abruptly ended by Nadine de Klerk, who took Lanning's wicket (41) with her very first delivery in the ninth over, thus terminating the UPW openers’ impressive 74-run partnership.

In her WPL debut, Amy Jones (1) had a disappointing outing as the South African all-rounder claimed a second wicket in her over, sending the English wicketkeeper-batter back to the dugout.

The Warriorz lost their rhythm following the quick succession of two wickets, and the situation worsened in the 12th over when Grace Harris dismissed Harleen Deol, who managed to score only 14 runs off as many balls.

While Deepti held firm at one end, she witnessed her teammates fall at regular intervals, with Chloe Tryon (6) being stumped by Richa Ghosh off Grace Harris’ delivery in the 14th over. The spin-bowling all-rounder later reached her half-century off 40 balls but fell on the last delivery of the penultimate over to Shreyanka Patil.

De Klerk delivered an exceptional final over, exemplifying a game that unfolded in two contrasting halves. She dismissed English spin-bowling all-rounder Sophie Ecclestone (0) off her second ball, followed by Simran Sheikh, who was caught at long-on by Arundhati Reddy, concluding the Warriorz innings at 143 runs with the loss of eight wickets, primarily due to Lanning’s explosive start and the late stability offered by Deepti.

Brief scores:

UP Warriorz 143/8 in 20 overs (Deepti Sharma 55, Meg Lanning 41; Nadine de Klerk 4-22, Grace Harris 2-22) against Royal Challengers Bengaluru