RCB defeat defending champions MI on last ball in WPL 2026 opener
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 got off to a thrilling start on Friday, with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) pulling off a stunning three-wicket victory 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 very 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 a blistering 45 off just 25 balls, including five fours and two sixes. Her innings helped MI post a competitive total of 154-6 in their 20 overs.
The pick of the bowlers for RCB was Nadine de Klerk, who finished with impressive figures of 4-0-24-4. Her spell helped RCB restrict MI to a manageable total, despite a late surge from the defending champions.
In reply, RCB got off to a shaky start, losing their first wicket with just 12 runs on the board. However, De Klerk, who had earlier picked up four wickets, played a match-winning innings, smashing 63 runs off 44 balls, including seven fours and two sixes. Her innings was the backbone of RCB’s chase, as they struggled to keep up with the required run rate.
Despite De Klerk’s heroics, RCB were in trouble at 111-6, needing 43 runs off the last 24 balls. However, De Klerk and the RCB tailenders held their nerve, taking the game down to the wire. With five runs needed off the last two balls, De Klerk smashed a four off the penultimate ball, leaving RCB needing just one run off the last ball to win.
In a heart-stopping finish, De Klerk managed to get a single off the last ball, securing a thrilling three-wicket victory for RCB. The win was a testament to the team’s spirit and determination, and sets them up nicely for the rest of the tournament.
The WPL 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting tournament, with several teams looking strong contenders for the title. However, RCB’s win over the defending champions will give them a huge boost in confidence, and they will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming matches.
For MI, the loss will be a setback, but they will look to regroup and come back stronger in their next match. The team has a strong squad and will be looking to bounce back from this defeat.
In the end, it was a thrilling match that went down to the wire, with RCB emerging victorious. The crowd at the DY Patil Sports Academy were on the edge of their seats, cheering on their favorite team. The atmosphere was electric, and the players did not disappoint, putting on a show that will be remembered for a long time.
As the WPL 2026 continues, fans can expect more thrilling matches like this one. The tournament has got off to a great start, and it will be exciting to see how the rest of the matches unfold.
The full scorecard for the match can be found at https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/women-s-premier-league-2025-26-1510059/mumbai-indians-women-vs-royal-challengers-bengaluru-women-1st-match-1513682/live-cricket-score.
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