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 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 target of 155 runs on the last ball of the innings.
MI, who were looking to start their title defense on a strong note, won the toss and chose to bat first. The defending champions got off to a decent start, with their openers putting on a partnership of 31 runs before the first wicket fell. However, it was Sajeevan Sajana who stole the show with a blistering knock of 45 runs off just 25 balls, helping MI post a competitive total of 154-6 in their 20 overs.
Sajana’s innings was a treat to watch, as she smashed four boundaries and two sixes during her stay at the crease. Her knock was the highlight of the MI innings, and it gave her team a chance to put pressure on the RCB batting lineup.
Nadine de Klerk was the star performer for RCB with the ball, picking up four wickets for 26 runs in her four overs. Her spell was instrumental in restricting MI to a total that was achievable for the RCB batsmen.
Chasing a target of 155 runs, RCB got off to a shaky start, losing two wickets in the first three overs. However, De Klerk, who had already made an impact with the ball, walked out to bat and played a match-winning innings. She smashed 63 runs off 44 balls, remaining unbeaten till the end, and guiding her team to a thrilling victory.
De Klerk’s innings was a masterclass in batting under pressure. She played some exquisite shots, including seven boundaries and two sixes, and ran hard between the wickets to keep the scoreboard ticking. Her partnership with the RCB middle order was crucial in taking the team close to the target.
As the match entered its final stages, RCB needed 10 runs off the last two overs. De Klerk took charge, smashing a boundary and a six off the first two balls of the penultimate over to reduce the equation to four runs off the last over.
The last over was a nail-biter, with RCB needing four runs to win. De Klerk took a single off the first ball, and the new batsman took a single off the second ball. De Klerk then took a couple of runs off the third ball, leaving RCB needing one run to win off the last two balls.
The penultimate ball was a dot, and the crowd was on the edge of their seats as De Klerk faced the last ball of the innings. She took a single off the last ball, and RCB had won the match by three wickets.
The victory was a testament to the team’s spirit and determination. RCB had been in tough situations before, but they had always managed to find a way out. This win would give them a lot of confidence, and they would look to build on this momentum as the tournament progresses.
For MI, it was a disappointing start to their title defense. They had played well in patches, but they had not been able to close out the game. They would need to regroup and come back stronger in their next match.
The WPL 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting tournament, with all teams looking to make an impact. The opening match had set the tone for the rest of the tournament, and fans would be eagerly waiting for the next match.
In conclusion, RCB’s victory over MI was a thrilling start to the WPL 2026. The match had everything – excitement, drama, and a last-ball finish. De Klerk’s match-winning innings was the highlight of the match, and it would be remembered for a long time. As the tournament progresses, we can expect more such thrilling matches, and fans would be eagerly waiting to see what the WPL 2026 has in store for them.
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