RCB Women vs MI Women, 1st Match – WPL 2025/26

Wow, the Women’s Premier League 2026 started with a bang! Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women squeezed past Mumbai Indians Women by three wickets right at the last ball at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. RCB Women got to 157 for 7, chasing 155, because Nadine de Klerk had an awesome game. She scored 63 not out and took 4 for 26 earlier. That MI Women vs RCB Women match was full of drama, pressure, and a finish we’ll all remember.

Mumbai Indians Women Put Up a Good Score on a Tricky Pitch

Mumbai Indians Women batted first after RCB Women chose to field, and they scored 154 for 6 in 20 overs. The pitch wasn’t easy at first, as it was a bit sticky, but it got better for batting as the game went on. Sajeevan Sajana scored the most for MI with 45 off 25 balls, and Nicola Carey added a really important 40 off 29. Gunalan Kamalini also hit a useful 32 at the start, helping MI get back on track after losing a quick wicket.

But, Nadine de Klerk’s bowling was the main story of the MI innings. The South African totally smashed the MI middle order, getting rid of Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur, Nicola Carey, and Sajana with some great seam bowling. She ended up with 4 for 26, which kept RCB in the game and stopped MI from running away with it. Lauren Bell also bowled really well, only giving away 14 runs in four overs, which also kept MI’s score down.

RCB Women Start Well But Then Mess Up

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women started their chase really well. Grace Harris and Smriti Mandhana got RCB off to a fast start, scoring 40 in the first few overs. Harris looked really dangerous, smashing 25 off just 12 balls. But Mumbai Indians fought back hard with their spinners, Amelia Kerr and Nicola Carey. Kerr bowled really economically, and Carey took two wickets in the middle overs, which made RCB fall apart and go to 65 for 5.

It looked like RCB were losing the game at that point. The run rate was going up, wickets were falling, and MI’s bowlers were putting on the pressure. When Richa Ghosh and Radha Yadav got out quickly, RCB were in big trouble. That’s when Nadine de Klerk came in and totally changed the game.

Nadine de Klerk Wins the Match Under Pressure

Nadine de Klerk played an amazing innings, showing great composure, timing, and hitting. She started carefully, getting used to the conditions and rotating the strike. Then, as the pressure increased, she started hitting boundaries at important times. Her partnership with Arundhati Reddy was really important, making the innings more stable and keeping RCB close to the target.

The last four overs were crazy. With 34 needed off 18 balls, de Klerk took over. She got lucky with a dropped catch and a missed run-out, and she took advantage of every bad ball. The 19th over, bowled by Shabnim Ismail, went for 11 runs, which made for an awesome final over.

Last Over Drama and a Last-Ball Finish

The last over, bowled by Nat Sciver-Brunt, was one of the most dramatic ever in the WPL. With 18 needed off six balls, de Klerk hit some amazing shots. A six, then a four, another six, and then a four off the last ball won the game for RCB Women. The stadium went wild as RCB players ran onto the field to celebrate a great win.

That chase of 18 runs in the last over is the second-highest ever in the WPL, which shows how amazing de Klerk’s performance was. It was a finish that showed how good and exciting women’s cricket is in India.

Records and Stuff From the Match

Nadine de Klerk joined a special group of players by scoring a fifty and taking four wickets in the same WPL match, something only Deepti Sharma had done before. Her 63 not out and 4 for 26 will be remembered as one of the best all-around performances in the league. That first match also set the tone for the season, proving that close finishes are becoming common in the Women’s Premier League.

Also, RCB Women scored 50 in the powerplay in just 5.1 overs. Amelia Kerr’s spell of 4 overs for 13 runs showed how important good spin bowling is on slow pitches.

Players Talk About How Intense the Game Was

Nadine de Klerk said she was still processing everything after the match. She said she trusted her skills and kept fighting, and she took advantage of her chance. Smriti Mandhana said de Klerk was really calm under pressure and that RCB Women are known for exciting games, and this was another one.

Harmanpreet Kaur was disappointed but honest. She said MI had chances but didn’t close out the game, especially in the last over. She also pointed out missed chances and dropped catches that cost them.

Grace Harris said de Klerk has gotten better as a finisher and that everyone was nervous in the final overs. Everyone felt the tension and excitement, which made it a great advertisement for the Women’s Premier League.

Controversial Moments and Missed Chances

There were a few controversial moments in the match. There were some close run-out calls, a dropped catch by Nat Sciver-Brunt, and a missed grab that let de Klerk stay in the game. Those moments changed the game and were talked about afterward. MI Women will think about those missed chances, knowing that one good piece of fielding could have changed the result.

People also talked about the bowling choices in the last overs, wondering if Sciver-Brunt was the right choice for the final over because of the pressure. Those discussions are normal in close games and make the tournament more interesting.

What This Win Means for RCB Women and WPL 2026

This win gives Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women an early boost in the WPL 2026 standings and sends a strong message to other teams. Winning a tough game against the defending champions at the start of the season gives the team confidence. For MI Women, it’s a reminder that small mistakes can cost you, and they’ll want to bounce back in their next games.

That match shows that women’s cricket in India is getting more competitive. The skills, talent, and competition are getting better every season.

A Great Start to Another Exciting WPL Season

That first match had everything fans wanted: big names, great cricket, records, controversies, and a last-ball finish. Nadine de Klerk’s amazing performance made sure RCB Women started their season well, while MI Women were left thinking about what could have been.

If that game is anything to go by, the Women’s Premier League 2026 will have more excitement, drama, and awesome moments. That first match will be remembered as a classic, setting the standard for the rest of the season and showing why the WPL is becoming one of the most popular cricket leagues in the world.