The article previews the 5th match of the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 season between Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (RCB-W) and UP Warriorz Women (UPW-W), which was scheduled for January 12, 2026, at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. The WPL 2026 season officially began on January 9, 2026, and is set to run until February 5, with matches split between Navi Mumbai and Vadodara. The preview noted that both teams were looking to improve, though their initial performances offered a contrast. UP Warriorz had indeed faced a 'scratchy start', having lost their inaugural match of the season against Gujarat Giants. Their objective for the 5th match was clearly to secure their first victory and gain momentum in the tournament. Conversely, Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women had experienced a strong beginning to their WPL 2026 campaign, securing a dramatic win in their opening fixture against defending champions Mumbai Indians. Therefore, the headline's assertion that RCB also looked to 'improve upon scratchy starts' was an exaggeration for the Bengaluru side, as they were aiming to build on their initial success rather than recover from a poor start. Post-match reports confirm that RCB went on to secure a dominant nine-wicket victory over UP Warriorz, further solidifying their strong start to the season. The match was a significant early encounter for both teams in the context of the tournament standings. The venue, DY Patil Sports Academy, is a key ground for the initial phase of the WPL 2026. Credible sources like NDTV Sports, India Today, Sportstar, Cricbuzz, Hindustan Times, Times of India, Wisden, Mint, Pragativadi, Indian Express, Zee News, InsideSport, IANS LIVE, and Sportskeeda all corroborated the scheduling and outcomes of the early WPL 2026 matches, confirming the factual basis of the event. The news is highly relevant to an Indian audience, as the WPL is a premier domestic women's cricket league.