RCB defeat defending champions MI on last ball in WPL 2026 opener
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 kicked off with a thrilling match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and the defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) at the DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai on Friday. The match went down to the wire, with RCB emerging victorious by three wickets on the last ball of the game. The win was a testament to the team’s determination and skill, and it sets the tone for an exciting tournament ahead.
MI, who were put in to bat first, got off to a decent start with their openers, Sajeevan Sajana and Jemimah Rodrigues, putting on a 30-run partnership. However, RCB’s bowlers soon found their rhythm, with Nadine de Klerk being the pick of the bowlers. De Klerk, who is known for her accuracy and variation, picked up four wickets for 24 runs in her four overs, including the crucial wickets of Sajana and Rodrigues.
Sajana, who top-scored for MI with 45 runs off 25 balls, was the only batsman who looked comfortable against the RCB bowlers. She hit six fours and a six during her innings, and her partnership with Rodrigues had given MI a solid foundation. However, once De Klerk dismissed Sajana, MI’s innings lost momentum, and they were restricted to 154-6 in their 20 overs.
In reply, RCB got off to a poor start, losing their opening batsman, Smriti Mandhana, for a duck. However, De Klerk, who had already made an impact with the ball, walked out to bat and took charge of the innings. She was joined by RCB’s captain, Ellyse Perry, and the two batsmen put on a 50-run partnership to steady the innings.
De Klerk, who was batting at number three, played a responsible innings, smashing 63 runs off 44 balls, including seven fours and a six. She was the anchor of the RCB innings, and her partnership with Perry had given the team a glimmer of hope. However, once Perry was dismissed, RCB’s innings began to stutter, and it seemed like the team would fall short of the target.
With 10 runs needed off the last over, RCB’s lower-order batsmen, Richa Ghosh and Shreyanka Patil, held their nerves to take the team over the line. Ghosh hit a four off the penultimate ball to reduce the equation to two runs off the last ball, and Patil then hit a single off the last ball to seal the win for RCB.
The win was a thrilling one for RCB, and it marked a perfect start to their WPL 2026 campaign. De Klerk, who was the star of the show, was ecstatic after the match, saying, “It was an incredible team effort, and I’m so proud of the girls for holding their nerves and taking us over the line. We knew it would be a tough game, but we believed in ourselves, and it’s great to get the win.”
MI, on the other hand, would be disappointed with the loss, but they would take heart from the fact that they pushed RCB to the limit. Sajana, who top-scored for MI, said, “We played well, but RCB played better. We couldn’t finish off the game, but we’ll take the positives from this match and come back stronger in the next game.”
The WPL 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting tournament, with all teams looking strong and eager to make a mark. The next match will be played between Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Giants, and it promises to be another thrilling encounter.
In conclusion, the WPL 2026 opener between RCB and MI was a thrilling match that went down to the wire. RCB’s win was a testament to their skill and determination, and it sets the tone for an exciting tournament ahead. With all teams looking strong, the WPL 2026 is sure to be a treat for cricket fans.
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