WPL 2026: MI vs RCB - Nadine de Klerk Stars in Epic Chase as RCB Wins
WPL 2026 burst into life with a breathtaking opening-night thriller at DY Patil Stadium, where Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women pulled off a last-ball heist against Mumbai Indians Women. Chasing 155, RCB looked down and out at one stage before Nadine de Klerk produced an ice-cold finish to seal a famous three-wicket win. The contest swung wildly, setting the perfect tone for the new WPL season.
Playing XI
Mumbai Indians Women
Amelia Kerr, G Kamalini, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), S Sajana, Nicola Carey, Amanjot Kaur, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav, Saika Ishaque, Lauren Bell
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women
Smriti Mandhana (c), Grace Harris, Dayalan Hemalatha, Richa Ghosh (wk), Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil, Arundhati Reddy, Prema Rawat, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell, Nadine de Klerk
Match Summary
Mumbai Indians Women vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women – 1st Match
Women’s Premier League 2026 • Navi Mumbai
From the first ball, the WPL 2026 opener delivered pure entertainment. MI posted a competitive 154 for 6 after recovering from early pressure, while RCB’s chase saw dramatic swings of momentum. The Bengaluru side flew out of the blocks before suffering a collapse that left them reeling at 65 for 5. Just when MI appeared in full control, Nadine de Klerk turned the match on its head with a composed and powerful knock. The equation came down to 18 off the final over, and de Klerk held her nerve to clinch victory on the last ball, sparking wild celebrations.
First Innings – MI Fight Back After Early Stutters to Reach 154
MI Women endured a tough start as Lauren Bell bowled a probing new-ball spell, dismissing Amelia Kerr early and keeping the scoring in check. The pressure increased when Nat Sciver-Brunt was stumped, leaving MI in trouble. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Kamalini steadied the innings before Sajana changed gears late on. Dropped twice, Sajana made RCB pay with a fluent 45, while Nicola Carey added crucial runs. Despite Nadine de Klerk’s four-wicket burst, MI crossed 150, giving their bowlers something to defend.
Second Innings – RCB’s Collapse, Then De Klerk’s Calm 63 Seals the Chase
RCB began the chase in explosive fashion as Smriti Mandhana and Grace Harris raced to 40 without loss inside three overs. MI struck back sharply, triggering a collapse that saw RCB lose five wickets for just 25 runs. At 65 for 5, the chase seemed all but over. Nadine de Klerk then took charge, first rebuilding with Arundhati Reddy, and later farming the strike at the death. With 18 needed off the final over, de Klerk produced a stunning sequence of sixes and boundaries to finish unbeaten on 63, guiding RCB home off the last ball.
Top Performers
Nadine de Klerk – 63 & 4/26: A Night to Remember
If WPL matches are remembered for defining performances, this one will forever belong to Nadine de Klerk. The South African all-rounder first dismantled MI’s middle order with figures of 4 for 26, including key wickets of Sciver-Brunt and Harmanpreet. With the bat, she produced one of the greatest finishing acts in WPL history. Walking in under immense pressure, de Klerk paced her innings to perfection, absorbing dots before exploding at the death.
“𝙙𝙚 𝙆𝙡𝙚𝙧𝙠 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙙𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛” will echo through for ages to come. 🥶
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) January 9, 2026
pic.twitter.com/pa0pS7Rasx
Her unbeaten 63 off 44 balls included a brutal final over where she single-handedly overturned the game. Calm, composed, and fearless, de Klerk set the benchmark for WPL 2026.
What This Result Means
This dramatic win gives RCB Women a massive early boost in WPL 2026, both in terms of points and belief. Chasing a tricky target under pressure and winning off the final ball reinforces their reputation as a side capable of pulling off big moments. For MI, the loss will sting, especially after controlling large parts of the game and creating chances in the death overs. However, their batting depth and bowling discipline remain positives going forward. Most importantly, this opener sets the tone for the tournament — tight finishes, bold individual performances, and momentum swings that keep fans hooked. If this match is any indication, WPL 2026 promises another unforgettable season.
WPL 2026 Points Table
