What Did Meg Lanning Say After UPW's Loss to RCB?
Synopsis
In a tense showdown in Vadodara, UP Warriorz's captain Meg Lanning shares her thoughts on the team's performance after their eight-wicket loss to RCB, which led to RCB's qualification for the WPL final. Lanning acknowledges her team's struggles with momentum and praises RCB's Grace Harris for her stellar performance.
Key Takeaways
UP Warriorz faced difficulties in maintaining batting momentum.
Grace Harris played a crucial role in RCB's victory.
Lanning emphasized the need for improvement in capitalizing on good starts.
Loss of wickets at critical times was a key factor in the defeat.
The gap between matches did not significantly impact performance.
Vadodara, Jan 29 (NationPress) Meg Lanning, the captain of UP Warriorz, voiced her frustration following her team’s pivotal defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by eight wickets on Thursday. This match secured RCB's place in the finals of the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara.
Lanning noted that the team's batters have struggled to 'carry on' after establishing a solid foundation, a recurring issue throughout the tournament this season.
“It’s really disappointing. We set a decent platform with our batting, but we just couldn’t build on it. This has been a trend for us in the tournament — gaining momentum only to lose wickets at critical moments, often in clusters. That’s not how you want to play T20 cricket. Additionally, we couldn’t find our rhythm with the ball either,” Lanning stated to the broadcasters after the match.
The former Australian captain praised Grace Harris, whose explosive innings of 75 runs allowed RCB to achieve the 144-run target comfortably in just 13.1 overs.
“Grace was exceptional; she capitalized on our mistakes and finished the game remarkably. Credit to her and to RCB — unfortunately, we didn’t deliver our best performance tonight. Each time we gained momentum with the bat, we lost our wickets too easily, which allowed the opposition to take advantage,” Lanning remarked.
“In T20 cricket, when batters settle in, it’s crucial to make the most of that opportunity. I, unfortunately, fell into that trap — I reached 40, which is a decent start, but it’s vital to push on. This has been a consistent challenge throughout the tournament, and we need to address it.”
“Both Harris and Smriti batted exceptionally well. They adapted well to the conditions and punished our errors. They were just better than us tonight. We couldn’t find a solution, no matter how hard we tried, and sometimes that’s just how it goes,” Lanning added.
When asked if the gap between their matches affected their performance, Lanning responded, “I don’t believe so. We had ample time to recover and train before this game, so there are no excuses. I don’t think it played a significant role. RCB simply outperformed us tonight, and we weren’t good enough.”
Point of View
It's crucial to highlight Meg Lanning's candid assessment of her team's performance. While UP Warriorz showed potential, the inability to capitalize on strong starts ultimately led to their downfall against a formidable RCB. This match serves as a reminder of the competitive nature of the WPL and the need for teams to adapt quickly in high-pressure situations.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What led to UP Warriorz's loss against RCB?
UP Warriorz struggled to maintain momentum with the bat and lost crucial wickets at critical times, which ultimately led to their defeat.
Who performed well for RCB in the match?
Grace Harris was a standout performer for RCB, scoring 75 runs and helping her team secure the victory.
What did Meg Lanning mention about the team's batting performance?
Lanning expressed disappointment over the team's inability to build on good starts, noting that it has been a recurring issue throughout the tournament.
