RCB defeat defending champions MI on last ball in WPL 2026 opener
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 got off to a thrilling start on Friday, with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) pulling off a stunning three-wicket victory over defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) at the DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. The match went down to the wire, with RCB chasing down the 155-run target on the last ball of the innings.
MI, who were put in to bat by RCB, got off to a decent start, with their opening pair of Sajeevan Sajana and Javeda Kutty putting on 31 runs for the first wicket. However, RCB’s bowlers, led by Nadine de Klerk, soon took control of the proceedings, picking up wickets at regular intervals to restrict MI to 154-6 in their 20 overs.
Sajana was the top-scorer for MI, smashing 45 runs off just 25 balls, including five fours and two sixes. De Klerk, on the other hand, was the pick of the RCB bowlers, picking up four wickets for 31 runs in her four overs.
In reply, RCB got off to a solid start, with their opening pair of Smriti Mandhana and De Klerk putting on 41 runs for the first wicket. However, MI’s bowlers soon fought back, picking up wickets at regular intervals to leave RCB reeling at 73-5 in the 12th over.
De Klerk, however, remained steadfast, smashing 63 runs off just 44 balls, including seven fours and two sixes. She was well-supported by RCB’s lower order, with the likes of Shreyanka Patil and Kanika Ahuja chipping in with useful cameos.
As the match entered its final stages, RCB needed 22 runs off the last two overs to win. De Klerk, however, was up to the task, smashing 15 runs off the penultimate over to leave RCB needing just seven runs off the final over.
The final over was a nerve-wracking affair, with RCB’s batsmen scrambling to get the required runs. In the end, it all came down to the last ball, with De Klerk smashing a four off the final delivery to seal a thrilling three-wicket victory for RCB.
The win was a significant one for RCB, who will be looking to build on this momentum as they seek to make a strong impression in the WPL 2026. For MI, on the other hand, the loss will be a setback, but they will be looking to bounce back strongly in their next match.
The WPL 2026 is set to be a highly competitive tournament, with five teams vying for the top prize. The tournament will feature some of the biggest names in women’s cricket, including the likes of Harmanpreet Kaur, Ellyse Perry, and Meg Lanning.
As the tournament progresses, fans can expect to see some thrilling matches, with the likes of RCB, MI, and the other teams battling it out for supremacy. The WPL 2026 is a significant milestone for women’s cricket in India, and it is expected to have a major impact on the growth and development of the sport in the country.
In conclusion, the WPL 2026 got off to a thrilling start, with RCB pulling off a stunning victory over defending champions MI. The match was a testament to the skill and talent of the players involved, and it set the tone for what promises to be a highly competitive tournament.
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