RCB defeat defending champions MI on last ball in WPL 2026 opener
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 kicked off in thrilling fashion on Friday, with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) pulling off a stunning three-wicket win 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 very last ball of the innings.
MI, put into bat by RCB, got off to a solid start, with their openers laying a foundation for a competitive total. However, it was Sajeevan Sajana who stole the show with a blistering 45 off just 25 deliveries. Her innings was a testament to her skill and power, as she hit boundaries at will and kept the RCB bowlers on their toes. Despite her efforts, MI could only manage 154-6 in their 20 overs, thanks in large part to the brilliant bowling of Nadine de Klerk, who picked up four wickets to restrict the defending champions.
De Klerk’s bowling figures of 4-24 were a highlight of the RCB bowling performance, as she consistently troubled the MI batters with her accuracy and variation. Her ability to pick up wickets at regular intervals prevented MI from posting a total in excess of 170, which could have been a challenging target for RCB to chase.
As RCB began their chase, they knew they had their work cut out for them. The MI bowlers were keen to defend their total, and it showed in their disciplined bowling performance. However, RCB had a trump card in the form of De Klerk, who had already made an impact with the ball. This time, she would make her presence felt with the bat, playing a match-winning innings of 63* off 44 deliveries.
De Klerk’s innings was a masterclass in composure and skill, as she navigated the RCB chase with ease. She hit boundaries when needed, rotated the strike to keep the scoreboard ticking, and ensured that RCB stayed ahead of the required run rate. Her partnership with the other RCB batters was crucial, as they worked together to wear down the MI bowlers and get closer to the target.
As the innings entered its final stages, the tension was palpable. RCB needed 10 runs off the last over to win, and De Klerk was the key to their chances. She had been batting beautifully, and it seemed only a matter of time before she would guide her team to victory. The crowd was on the edge of their seats, cheering on the RCB batters as they fought to pull off an upset.
In the end, it all came down to the last ball. RCB needed two runs to win, and De Klerk was on strike. She took a deep breath, focused on the ball, and hit it to the mid-wicket boundary to seal a thrilling win for her team. The RCB players erupted in joy, hugging each other and celebrating their hard-fought victory.
The win was a significant one for RCB, as it marked a statement of intent in the WPL 2026. They had beaten the defending champions, and in doing so, had announced themselves as a team to watch in the tournament. For MI, the loss would be a setback, but they would take heart from the fact that they had pushed RCB to the limit.
As the WPL 2026 continues to unfold, fans can expect more thrilling matches like this one. The tournament has already shown that it will be a closely contested affair, with no team able to take their opponents for granted. RCB’s win over MI has set the tone for the rest of the tournament, and it will be exciting to see how the other teams respond to the challenge.
In conclusion, the WPL 2026 opener was a resounding success, with RCB pulling off a thrilling win over defending champions MI. The match had everything – brilliant batting, outstanding bowling, and a nail-biting finish. As the tournament progresses, fans can expect more of the same, and it will be fascinating to see which team emerges as the champion.
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