WPL 2026, Match 1: Allround Nadine de Klerk helps RCB clinch thriller

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (RCB W) pulled off a heist in the Women’s Premier League 2026 opener, defeating Mumbai Indians Women (MI W) by three wickets in Navi Mumbai on January 9. 

MI posted 154/6 in their 20 overs after RCB captain Smriti Mandhana won the toss and invited them to bat. G Kamalini top-scored with 32 off 28, even though Amelia Kerr and Nat Sciver-Brunt fell cheaply. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur could also manage only 20 runs.

However, Nicola Carey and Sajeevan Sajana saved the sinking ship with a brisk 82-run partnership for the fifth wicket in 49 balls. Carey scored 40 off 29, while Sajana made 45 off 25 to give MI a fighting total. RCB allrounder Nadine de Klerk was exceptional with the ball, scalping 4/26 in her four-over spell, while Lauren Bell and Shreyanka Patil claimed one wicket each.

Chasing 155, RCB got off to a contrasting start in the powerplay, with Grace Harris scoring 25 and Mandhana contributing 18 to tilt the scales in their favour right from the onset. However, once the stand was broken, a flurry of wickets ensued as all of Dayalna Hemalatha (7), Richa Ghosh (6), and Radha Yadav (1) departed cheaply, seemingly wasting the start that the openers provided.

The breakthrough partnership came between de Klerk and Arundhati Reddy, who added 52 runs for the sixth wicket in 51 balls. Reddy contributed 20 runs, while Shreyanka Patil fell for a single. de Klerk, not content with her staggering show with the ball, remained unbeaten in a tense chase, guiding her team through the final over.

RCB needed 18 runs off the last over with Sciver-Brunt bowling. The first two balls were dots, leaving 18 required from four. de Klerk rose to the occasion, smashing two sixes and two fours, finishing unbeaten on 63 from 44 balls, with seven fours and two sixes. 

From MI W, Carey and Amelia Kerr picked up two wickets each, while Sciver-Brunt, Shabnim Ismail, and Amanjot Kaur took one wicket apiece. de Klerk was adjudged Player of the Match for her brilliant all-round performance.

MI will face Delhi Capitals on January 10, while RCB will take on UP Warriorz on January 12 in Navi Mumbai.