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 lived up to its expectations, 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, led by their captain, won the toss and chose to bat first. The team got off to a decent start, with their openers putting up a partnership of 32 runs before the first wicket fell. However, it was Sajeevan Sajana who stole the show with her impressive knock of 45 runs off just 25 balls. Her innings included some big hits, which helped MI post a competitive total of 154-6 in their 20 overs.
The MI innings was also notable for the impressive bowling performance by RCB’s Nadine de Klerk, who picked up four wickets and gave away just 25 runs in her four overs. Her spell was instrumental in restricting MI to a manageable total, and it set the stage for a thrilling chase by RCB.
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 already made an impact with the ball, walked out to bat and played a match-winning innings. She scored an unbeaten 63 runs off 44 balls, which included some crucial boundaries and sixes. Her partnership with another RCB batsman was the turning point of the game, as the two added 60 runs together and brought their team back into the contest.
As the game entered its final stages, RCB needed 20 runs off the last two overs. De Klerk took charge, hitting a six and a four in the penultimate over to reduce the target to just 4 runs off the last over. The final over was a nail-biter, with RCB needing 4 runs off 6 balls. De Klerk and her partner ran two runs off the first ball, and then De Klerk hit a boundary off the third ball to seal the win for RCB.
The win was a thrilling start to the WPL 2026 season, and it sets the tone for an exciting tournament ahead. RCB’s victory over the defending champions will give them a lot of confidence, and they will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming games. For MI, the loss will be a wake-up call, and they will need to regroup and come back stronger in their next game.
The WPL 2026 season promises to be an exciting one, with some of the best women cricketers from around the world participating in the tournament. The league will feature five teams, including RCB, MI, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants, and UP Warriorz. Each team will play the other teams twice, and the top three teams will qualify for the playoffs.
The WPL 2026 season is also a significant milestone for women’s cricket in India, as it marks a major step forward in the development of the sport. The league will provide a platform for women cricketers to showcase their skills and compete against the best players from around the world. It will also help to promote women’s cricket in India and inspire more girls to take up the sport.
In conclusion, the RCB vs MI game was a thrilling start to the WPL 2026 season, and it sets the tone for an exciting tournament ahead. RCB’s victory over the defending champions will give them a lot of confidence, and they will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming games. The WPL 2026 season promises to be an exciting one, with some of the best women cricketers from around the world participating in the tournament.
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