Catch all the action from Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs UP Warriorz today, 7:30 PM onwards, LIVE on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network
Match 5 of TATA WPL 2026 – Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs UP Warriorz
Royal Challengers Bengaluru face UP Warriorz in Match 5 of TATA WPL 2026, pitting RCB’s top-order firepower against UPW’s strong bowling line-up. Speaking on JioHotstar’s ‘Match Centre Live’, JioStar experts Katey Martin and Anjum Chopra previewed the contest.
Speaking on JioHotstar‘s ‘Match Centre Live’, JioStar expert Katey Martin predicted a ‘cracking’ contest between UP Warriorz and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, backing UP’s match-winners to respond strongly:
“The first game for UP Warriorz of this season was about them coming together as a team. Meg Lanning is a new captain there, figuring out her resources and how to use them. I think we might see different bowling roles in the powerplay. We only saw one over from some bowlers, so that could change. But I still think UP are one of the best teams, maybe the best, because of all the match-winners they have. I expect them to come out strong against RCB, who will be confident. Nadine de Klerk will be so excited she’d want to take this ground with her. We saw her finish a game, but also play smart cricket for longer periods. It is going to be a cracking match.”
On the match-winning potential of Nadine de Klerk and Phoebe Litchfield, while highlighting RCB’s reliance on their top order:
“We all would love to see another masterclass from Nadine de Klerk. She plays with such smartness and clarity. She knows exactly when to target an over. For UP Warriorz, we saw the best of Phoebe Litchfield last game against Gujarat Giants. Her sweeps and reverse laps cover the whole ground, and she has really matured. Both teams have match-winners all through. The question for RCB is their batting depth. Their top order, especially Smriti Mandhana, will have to do the job. Whether setting a total or chasing, she needs to take responsibility, so that someone like Nadine de Klerk can just be the icing on the cake.”
Speaking on JioHotstar’s ‘Match Centre Live’, JioStar expert Anjum Chopra discussed the match-up between Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma:
“The idea that Smriti Mandhana has issues against off-spin is a thing of the past. Over the last year, she has worked hard on that. She has gained strength and now hits the ball down the ground, not just square. So, while Deepti Sharma has a better record of dismissing her, Smriti now knows how to go straight. The shots I’ve seen from her are very exciting. RCB started the tournament with a win and will want to keep that momentum. UP Warriorz know they need to start winning, but it won’t be easy against a successful team like RCB. But who wants an easy contest? We are getting spoiled with 400-plus runs in matches. We are just setting a benchmark of 185-plus. Please achieve it.”
