RCB defeat defending champions MI on last ball in WPL 2026 opener
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 kicked off in style on Friday, with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) pulling off a thrilling 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 target of 155 runs on the last ball of the innings.
MI, who were put in to bat first by RCB, got off to a decent start, with their openers putting on 31 runs for the first wicket. However, it was Sajeevan Sajana who stole the show with her blazing knock of 45 off just 25 balls. Her innings was laced with five boundaries and two sixes, and it helped MI post a competitive total of 154-6 in their 20 overs.
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 manageable total, and it gave RCB a chance to chase down the target.
The RCB innings got off to a rocky start, with the team losing two wickets in the first two overs. However, De Klerk, who had earlier picked up four wickets, walked out to bat at number four and took the game by the scruff of the neck. She smashed 63 off 44 balls, an innings that included six boundaries and two sixes.
De Klerk’s knock was the difference between the two teams, as she took the attack to the MI bowlers and kept RCB in the hunt. She found able support from the other RCB batters, who chipped in with useful contributions to help the team chase down the target.
The last over of the innings was a nail-biter, with RCB needing 10 runs to win off the final six balls. De Klerk, who was still at the crease, took on the MI bowlers and smashed a four off the first ball. She then ran two runs off the next ball, before taking a single off the third ball.
With three runs needed off the last three balls, De Klerk’s partner at the crease, RCB’s number seven batter, ran two runs off the fourth ball of the over. De Klerk then took a single off the fifth ball, leaving RCB needing one run to win off the last ball.
The crowd was on the edge of their seats as the MI bowler ran in to deliver the final ball of the innings. De Klerk, who had been the hero for RCB throughout the innings, took a single off the last ball to seal a thrilling three-wicket win for her team.
The win was a great start for RCB in the WPL 2026, and it showed that they have the firepower to take on the best teams in the league. De Klerk’s all-round performance was the standout feature of the match, and it will give RCB a lot of confidence going into their next game.
For MI, the loss will be a disappointment, but they will take heart from the fact that they pushed RCB all the way. They will look to bounce back from this loss and make a strong comeback in their next game.
The WPL 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting tournament, with all the teams looking to make a strong impression. The league will feature some of the best women cricketers from around the world, and it will be a great opportunity for fans to watch some high-quality cricket.
In conclusion, the first match of the WPL 2026 was a thrilling encounter between RCB and MI. RCB’s win will give them a lot of confidence, and they will look to build on this momentum in their next game. The tournament is shaping up to be an exciting one, and fans can expect a lot of thrilling matches in the days to come.
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