RCB defeat defending champions MI on last ball in WPL 2026 opener
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 has kicked off in style, 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 on Friday. The match went down to the wire, with RCB chasing down the target of 155 runs on the last ball of the innings.
MI, put into bat by RCB, got off to a decent start, with their openers putting on a 30-run partnership before the first wicket fell. However, it was Sajeevan Sajana who stole the show, scoring a quickfire 45 off just 25 deliveries to give MI’s innings a much-needed boost. Her innings was laced with four boundaries and two sixes, taking the pressure off the other batters.
Despite Sajana’s heroics, MI’s innings was pegged back by RCB’s bowlers, particularly Nadine de Klerk, who picked up four wickets to restrict MI to 154-6 in their 20 overs. De Klerk’s bowling figures of 4-0-24-4 were instrumental in keeping MI’s total in check, and she would later play a starring role with the bat as well.
Chasing a target of 155 runs, RCB got off to a shaky start, losing their first wicket with just 10 runs on the board. However, De Klerk, who had already made an impact with the ball, walked out to bat at number three and took the game by the scruff of the neck. She played a brilliant innings, smashing 63 runs off just 44 deliveries to take RCB to the brink of victory.
De Klerk’s innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, as she hit seven boundaries and two sixes to take the pressure off her partners. She was well-supported by the other RCB batters, who chipped in with valuable contributions to keep the scoreboard ticking.
As the game entered its final stages, RCB needed 10 runs off the last over to win. De Klerk, who was still at the crease, took on the MI bowlers, hitting a boundary off the first ball to reduce the target to six runs off five deliveries. She then took a single off the next ball, leaving five runs to be scored off four balls.
The next two deliveries resulted in two dot balls, leaving RCB needing five runs off the last two balls. De Klerk, however, was not to be denied, as she hit a boundary off the penultimate ball to leave RCB needing just one run off the last ball to win.
In a thrilling finish, De Klerk hit the last ball to the mid-off fielder, who fumbled the ball, allowing De Klerk to complete the single and seal a thrilling three-wicket win for RCB. The RCB players erupted in joy, as they celebrated a hard-fought victory over the defending champions.
The win is a significant one for RCB, who will be looking to make a strong impression in the WPL 2026. With De Klerk in their ranks, they have a player who can turn the game on its head with both bat and ball. MI, on the other hand, will be disappointed to have lost the opening game, but they will be looking to bounce back strongly in their next match.
The WPL 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting tournament, with several teams looking strong contenders for the title. RCB’s win over MI has set the tone for the rest of the tournament, and fans can expect plenty of thrilling matches in the days to come.
In conclusion, RCB’s win over MI in the WPL 2026 opener was a thrilling encounter that went down to the wire. De Klerk’s brilliant all-round performance was the difference between the two teams, as she picked up four wickets and then smashed 63 runs to take RCB to victory. The win is a significant one for RCB, and they will be looking to build on this momentum as the tournament progresses.
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