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, who won the toss and chose to bat, got off to a decent start, but it was Sajeevan Sajana who provided the spark with a quickfire 45 off 25 balls. Her knock included five fours and two sixes, and helped MI post a competitive total of 154-6 in their 20 overs. However, it was Nadine de Klerk who stole the show with the ball, picking up four wickets for RCB and restricting MI to a manageable total.
In reply, RCB got off to a shaky start, losing a few early wickets and struggling to keep up with the required run rate. However, De Klerk, who had already made an impact with the ball, took center stage with the bat, smashing an unbeaten 63 off 44 balls to guide RCB home. Her knock included seven fours and two sixes, and she was instrumental in taking RCB over the line on the last ball of the innings.
The win was a thrilling start to the WPL 2026 season for RCB, who will be looking to build on this momentum as they take on other teams in the tournament. For MI, it was a disappointing start to their title defense, but they will be looking to bounce back in their next match.
The WPL 2026 season promises to be an exciting one, with some of the best women’s cricketers from around the world taking part. The tournament features five teams – Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and UP Warriorz – and will be played over the course of several weeks.
RCB’s win over MI was a significant one, not just because it was the opening match of the tournament, but also because it showed that they have the talent and the depth to compete with the best teams in the league. De Klerk’s all-round performance was a major highlight of the match, and she will be one to watch out for as the tournament progresses.
For MI, the loss was a setback, but they will be looking to regroup and come back stronger in their next match. They have a strong squad and a good balance of experience and youth, and they will be looking to use this to their advantage as they take on other teams in the tournament.
The WPL 2026 season is shaping up to be an exciting one, with plenty of twists and turns expected over the course of the tournament. With some of the best women’s cricketers from around the world taking part, fans can expect to see plenty of thrilling matches and exciting cricket.
As for RCB, they will be looking to build on their winning start and make a strong push for the title. They have a talented squad and a good balance of experience and youth, and they will be looking to use this to their advantage as they take on other teams in the tournament.
In the end, RCB’s win over MI was a thrilling start to the WPL 2026 season, and it sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting tournament. With plenty of talented teams and players taking part, fans can expect to see plenty of thrilling matches and exciting cricket over the course of the next few weeks.
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