WPL 2026 RCB vs MI - Match 16: Nat Sciver-Brunt’s Historic Hundred Powers MI to Crucial Win
The WPL 2026 RCB vs MI clash in Vadodara delivered one of the most dramatic nights of the season, combining a historic hundred, a brutal powerplay collapse, and a late-innings fightback that nearly turned the game. Mumbai Indians, playing a virtual knockout, produced a near-complete performance to defeat Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 15 runs. Nat Sciver-Brunt etched her name into WPL history, while RCB’s chase oscillated between collapse and hope, keeping the contest alive until the final over.
Match Summary – WPL 2026 RCB vs MI
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women vs Mumbai Indians Women – Match 16
Women’s Premier League 2026 • Vadodara
In WPL 2026 RCB vs MI, Mumbai Indians posted a daunting 199/4 after being sent in, riding on Nat Sciver-Brunt’s unbeaten century and a dominant century partnership with Hayley Matthews. RCB’s bowlers struggled for control once the powerplay passed, conceding runs at a record pace through the middle overs. In reply, RCB lost five wickets inside the powerplay, effectively ending the contest early. However, a stunning counter-attack led by Richa Ghosh dragged the game deep, before MI’s composure under pressure sealed a crucial 15-run victory.
Playing XI
Mumbai Indians Women
Sajeevan Sajana, Hayley Matthews, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Amelia Kerr, Rahila Firdous (wk), Amanjot Kaur, Sanskriti Gupta, Vaishnavi Sharma, Shabnim Ismail, Poonam Khemnar
Delhi Capitals Women
Grace Harris, Smriti Mandhana (c), Georgia Voll, Gautami Naik, Richa Ghosh (wk), Radha Yadav, Nadine de Klerk, Arundhati Reddy, Sayali Satghare, Shreyanka Patil, Lauren Bell
Innings Breakdown
First Innings: MI's Middle-Overs Carnage
Mumbai Indians laid the foundation early in WPL 2026 RCB vs MI, recovering from Sajana’s early dismissal through a masterclass partnership between Nat Sciver-Brunt and Hayley Matthews. Once settled, the duo dismantled RCB’s bowling, scoring at an unprecedented rate through overs 7 to 15 — the most productive phase in WPL history. Sciver-Brunt’s acceleration after her fifty was ruthless, finding gaps with sweeps, lofted drives and reverse laps. Matthews complemented her perfectly before Harmanpreet’s cameo ensured MI surged to 199/4, a total that redefined par conditions in Vadodara.
Second Innings: RCB Crumble Under MI Bowling Fire
The chase in WPL 2026 RCB vs MI unravelled quickly for RCB as Shabnim Ismail and Hayley Matthews ripped through the top order, reducing them to 40/5 inside the powerplay. With the asking rate spiralling, RCB’s hopes rested solely on Richa Ghosh, who responded with one of the finest counter-attacking knocks in WPL history. Supported briefly by Nadine de Klerk and Arundhati Reddy, Richa launched a fearless assault, smashing 35 runs in the final two overs alone. Despite the late surge, MI’s early dominance ensured the target remained just out of reach, with RCB finishing on 184/9.
Back to winning ways! 💙
— Women's Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) January 26, 2026
Defending champions @mipaltan clinch an entertaining contest and jump to 2⃣nd spot on the points table 👏
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/yUHXkzVIZw #TATAWPL | #KhelEmotionKa | #RCBvMI pic.twitter.com/6PUhD291CY
Top Performers
Nat Sciver-Brunt's 100* - Player of the Match
Nat Sciver-Brunt delivered a generational performance in WPL 2026 RCB vs MI, becoming the first player to score a century in the league’s history. Her unbeaten 100 off 57 balls was a masterclass in T20 batting, blending composure with explosive shot-making. After assessing the pitch early, Sciver-Brunt shifted gears seamlessly, punishing anything over-pitched and manipulating the field with sweeps and late cuts. The innings also made her the first batter to cross 300 runs in three different WPL seasons, underlining her unmatched consistency. In a must-win match, she carried MI’s batting with authority and leadership.
Hayley Matthews’ All-Round Impact
Hayley Matthews played the perfect supporting role in WPL 2026 RCB vs MI, contributing significantly with both bat and ball. Her fluent 56 provided stability early before she matched Sciver-Brunt’s aggression through the middle overs. Later, Matthews turned the game decisively with the ball, exploiting RCB’s vulnerability to off-spin. She dismissed Smriti Mandhana with her first delivery and finished the powerplay with three crucial wickets, effectively ending RCB’s chase before it began. Matthews’ ability to influence both innings once again highlighted why she remains one of the most valuable all-rounders in the competition.
Richa Ghosh's Lone Fight
Despite the loss, Richa Ghosh emerged as RCB’s standout in WPL 2026 RCB vs MI, producing a breathtaking 90 off 50 balls from No.6. Walking in with the score in tatters, she counter-attacked fearlessly, taking on spin and pace alike. Her 55-run ninth-wicket stand with Shreyanka Patil came at a staggering run-rate of 18.33 — the fastest 50-plus partnership in WPL history. Richa’s clean striking, particularly in the final overs, kept the contest alive far longer than expected and reaffirmed her status as one of the most destructive finishers in women’s cricket.
What This Result Means
The result of WPL 2026 RCB vs MI keeps Mumbai Indians firmly alive in the playoff race, injecting momentum at the business end of the league stage. For MI, the victory validates their experienced core stepping up under pressure, especially after a short mid-tournament break. RCB, meanwhile, suffer back-to-back defeats after a flawless start to the season, exposing vulnerabilities in their middle-overs bowling and powerplay batting. While they remain well-placed for qualification, the loss tightens the points table and ensures their final league match becomes crucial in determining direct entry into the final.
WPL 2026 Points Table
Check out related news:
