The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 kicked off in spectacular fashion on January 9, 2026, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Women stunned defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) Women in a pulsating last-ball finish at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. The match didn’t just set the tone for the season — it delivered one of the greatest opening night performances in the league’s history, with Nadine de Klerk at the heart of a record-breaking all-round show.
Match Overview: A Classic Women’s Premier League Opener
The WPL’s first match saw MI Women bat first after losing the toss. They put up a strong total of 154/6 in 20 overs, thanks to solid contributions from their top and middle order. In response, RCB Women chased down the target to finish on 157/7, winning by three wickets on the final delivery of the match — a sensational climax rarely seen in franchise T20 cricket.
This gripping encounter embodied the rising competitiveness and entertainment value of the Women’s Premier League — a tournament that continues to grow in stature since its inception.
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Mumbai Indians Innings: A Solid Foundation with Middle-Order Push
Mumbai Indians laid a strong platform in the first innings. The team reached 154/6, building partnerships that kept them in control for most of their 20 overs. Key batters anchored the innings:
- Sajeevan Sajana played a crucial role with a lively 45 runs off 25 balls, steering MI through the middle overs and keeping the run rate healthy.
- Nicola Carey contributed a vital 40 runs off 29 balls, bolstering the MI scorecard and showcasing her batting prowess in pressure situations.
Their partnership of 82 runs for the fifth wicket was arguably the backbone of the MI total — the best lower-order stand they’ve managed under pressure in WPL history.
While RCB bowlers struck at intervals, MI managed to maintain momentum, ensuring a competitive total that would test the champions in the chase.
RCB’s Run Chase: From Collapse to Incredible Comeback
Royal Challengers Bengaluru began their chase with aggression but soon found themselves under immense pressure. Early contributions from Grace Harris and Smriti Mandhana laid a positive start, but RCB were pegged back by disciplined bowling from MI, leaving them reeling at 65/5 by the 8th over.
The batting collapse continued until RCB slumped to 121/7, facing an uphill task with 34 runs needed from 18 balls. It was in this moment of desperation and pressure that Nadine de Klerk took charge, altering the course of the match entirely.
Nadine de Klerk: Superstar Performance in WPL Opener
What followed was one of the most extraordinary performances in WPL history. Nadine de Klerk delivered a match-defining all-round display that swung the game in RCB’s favor:
With the Ball
De Klerk first made an impact with the ball, finishing with figures of 4/26 in her quota of four overs, dismissing key MI batters and sharing the wickets haul with her team bowlers.
With the Bat
Facing a steep chase, she anchored the RCB innings with an unbeaten 63 runs off 44 balls*, showcasing her power hitting and composure under pressure.
But the highlight — and what will be remembered in WPL lore — was her performance in the final over:
- Entering the last over, RCB needed 18 runs off 4 balls — a scenario with less than a 1% chance of winning according to predictive win-probability models.
- De Klerk delivered with two sixes and two boundaries, scoring 18 runs in those four balls and sealing a breathtaking victory with a winning boundary on the last ball.
This incredible feat — scoring 18 runs off the final over to complete the chase — is one of the few highest in women’s franchise cricket history.
Her double performance of a fifty plus a four-wicket haul places her among the rare elite in WPL records alongside players like Deepti Sharma who have achieved similar feats.
Turning Point: The Last Over Heist
The last four balls of the match will be etched in fans’ memories for years. When Nat Sciver-Brunt bowled the final over, RCB appeared destined to fall short — with a near negligible statistical probability of a victory.
Yet de Klerk’s calculated aggression, timing, and execution turned the game on its head, illustrating not just batting power but game awareness and mental strength under the biggest pressure moments.
Fielding & Bowling Dynamics: A Team Effort
While de Klerk was the standout performer, other RCB bowlers, including Lauren Bell, built crucial pressure early on — Bell bowled 19 dot balls and maintained tight lines to restrict MI’s scoring in the Powerplay.
For MI, bowlers like Amelia Kerr delivered a disciplined spell, finishing with 2/13 in four overs, including the dismissal of key RCB batters.
In the field, moments of brilliance and dramatic misses — including dropped chances and a missed run-out — kept the tension high throughout, underscoring the excitement and unpredictability of T20 cricket.
Player of the Match & Impact on the Tournament
Unsurprisingly, Nadine de Klerk was adjudged Player of the Match for her all-round heroics — a fitting recognition for a performance that not only won the opening game but set a benchmark for excellence in the 2026 WPL.
Her innings and bowling effort symbolised the competitive spirit and high skill level that the Women’s Premier League continues to elevate with every season.
What This Means for the WPL Season Ahead
The RCB vs MI opener did more than just deliver a win — it showcased the depth of talent, the thrill of close finishes, and the ever-growing global appeal of the WPL. Fans will now eagerly anticipate more high-octane cricket as teams fight for supremacy in one of the world’s premier women’s T20 leagues.
As the WPL 2026 unfolds, this memorable match will undoubtedly be referenced as one of the great early season classics — a perfect advertisement for women’s franchise cricket
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