Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Grace Harris highlighted the importance of her contrasting personality with skipper Smriti Mandhana in their successful opening partnership as they gear up for the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) final at BCA Stadium in Vadodara. The Australian power-hitter, under the guidance of head coach Malolan Rangarajan, was urged to take risks and embrace an aggressive approach.
With 228 runs in eight innings at a strike-rate of 180.95, Grace has teamed up effectively with Smriti, who is the third-highest run-scorer in WPL 2026 with 290 runs at a strike-rate of 141.46. Grace mentioned that their contrasting personalities have worked well together, with Smriti’s calm demeanor complementing her own dynamic nature on the field.
As RCB aims for their second WPL title, Grace emphasized the importance of a brief break in Goa before the final to maintain mental freshness and avoid undue pressure. She highlighted the significance of finding a balance between intense training and relaxation to ensure mental clarity, which she believes is crucial for peak performance in high-stakes matches.
Grace attributed RCB’s success in WPL 2026 to their cohesive team effort, where everyone has embraced their roles and contributed at crucial junctures. The team’s focus on learning from both victories and defeats, adapting quickly to match conditions, and playing an effective brand of T20 cricket has been key to their enjoyable and successful campaign.
