(image source : espncricinfo)
Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 burst into life on January 9, 2026, with a thrilling Match 1 clash between Mumbai Indians Women and Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. In a match that swung dramatically until the final ball, RCB clinched a sensational victory by 3 wickets in a last-over finish, setting the tone for a high-intensity tournament ahead.
Winning the toss, RCB elected to field first, inviting MI to bat under lights. The defending champions were off to a shaky start as early wickets fell against disciplined bowling. MI’s top order struggled to build momentum, and it took a memorable middle-order partnership to lift them to a competitive total.
Mumbai Indians posted 154/6 in their allotted 20 overs. Their innings was anchored by a crucial 82-run partnership between Sajeevan Sajana (45 runs off 25 balls) and Nicola Carey after early setbacks. Key blows from RCB bowlers including Nadine de Klerk’s influential four-wicket return kept MI in check and prevented a more imposing total.
Chasing 155, RCB had a mixed start with the loss of early wickets, including skipper Smriti Mandhana and Grace Harris, which invited pressure back onto the visitors. At 65/5, RCB looked in trouble, but an incredible recovery was on the cards.
Enter Nadine de Klerk the evening’s standout performer. The South African all-rounder played a match-turning innings, finishing unbeaten on 63 runs off 44 balls with seven fours and two sixes, steering RCB’s chase. With support from lower-order contributions, she engineered a comeback that delivered victory on the final delivery of the match a boundary that sealed the 3-wicket win in dramatic fashion.
De Klerk’s performance also included 4 crucial wickets with the ball, highlighting her all-around value in the opener. Her efforts earned her Player of the Match honours and underscored her role as a pivotal figure for RCB this season.
In a contest of fluctuating fortunes, momentum swings, and clutch hitting, RCB edged MI in one of the most entertaining openers in recent WPL history, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the action ahead.
Also Read: WPL 2025: Match 01, MI-W vs RCB-W Match Prediction – Who will win today’s WPL Match?
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