The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 curtain-raiser delivered a thriller featuring the two-time champions, Mumbai Indians, led by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, against the 2024 champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru, led by skipper Smriti Mandhana, at the iconic DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, on 9th January 2026.
The game featured a few WPL debutants, with the likes of the English duo of Lauren Bell and Linsey Smith donning the RCB jersey and the promising Australian all-rounder Nicola Carey getting a surprise call-up, with Hayley Matthews sitting out due to illness.
Smriti Mandhana won the toss and opted to bowl first. Sensational performances from the pacers Nadine de Klerk and Lauren Bell restricted the Mumbai Indians to a par total of 154/6 in their quota of 20 overs, after a blistering start from Gunalan Kamalini (32 off 28 balls).
The WPL debutant found herself at the centre with her side in trouble at 67/4 in the 11 overs. She chipped in with a rescue act (40 off 29 balls) with the bat, guiding her side to a competitive total alongside Sajeevan Sajana (45 off 25 balls). Mumbai Indians bounced back brilliantly with the ball, with regular strikes putting RCB under immense pressure.
However, the South African rising star Nadine de Klerk, finishing a blitz under pressure, pulled off a heist, guiding her side over the line with 3 wickets in hand, registering her maiden WPL half-century (63* off 44 balls) with the bat, capping off a dream day on the field, as RCB walked away with 2 points.
Match highlights: Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Nadine de Klerk
South Africa’s rising superstar Nadine de Klerk marked her RCB reunion, after stints with MI last edition and RCB in 2023/24, with a breathtaking all-round masterclass in the WPL 4 opener on January 9, 2026, at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. Returning via the November 27, 2025, mega auction, she powered RCB to a stunning chase of 155 against Harmanpreet Kaur’s MI, who posted 154/6 after Smriti Mandhana opted to bowl first. De Klerk’s spell of 4-0-26-4 ripped through MI’s middle order, claiming prized wickets of Nat Sciver-Brunt, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, Sajeevan Sajana, and debutant Nicola Carey.
With RCB reeling at 63/4 in the 8th over of the chase, de Klerk strode in and stayed ice-cool amid tumbling partners. She smashed her maiden WPL half-century, remaining unbeaten on 63* off 44 balls, laced with 7 boundaries and 2 maximums, to guide RCB home with 3 wickets intact. Her match-winning dominance earned her the Player of the Match award, underscoring her as the top performer in a game that lit up the tournament.
Lauren Bell
Young, tall England pacer Lauren Bell launched her WPL career in dream fashion, spearheading Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s bowling attack in the 4th edition opener against two-time champions Mumbai Indians. With RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana winning the toss and opting to bowl first against Harmanpreet Kaur’s MI, Bell opened the innings by stunning the batters with a maiden over, her probing lines and bounce, going past the outside edge on a few occasions, setting an electric tone.
She built on that promise with a sensational debut spell of 4-1-14-1, striking in the powerplay’s 5th over to dismiss Amelia Kerr and throttle MI’s momentum. Bell’s control restricted the defending champions to 154/6 in 20 overs, laying the platform for RCB’s thrilling final-ball chase, completed with 3 wickets in hand, fueled by Nadine de Klerk’s heroics, for their first win and crucial 2 points. As RCB’s standout bowler, her poise and penetration marked her as the top performer, blending raw pace with tactical nous to signal a breakout tournament ahead.
Nicola Carey
Promising Australian all-rounder Nicola Carey seized her surprise WPL debut opportunity for the Mumbai Indians, stepping in after an unwell Hayley Matthews cleared her path into the starting XI for the 4th edition opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. One of three debutants, she delivered a vital rescue knock from a precarious 63/3, worsening to 67/4 in the 11th over, scoring a gritty 40 off 29 balls with 4 boundaries to propel MI to 154/6 in 20 overs despite RCB’s bowling first after winning the toss.
Turning to bowling, Carey struck back with an impactful spell of 4-0-35-2, claiming the scalps of Arundhati Reddy and Shreyanka Patil to keep RCB in check. Though MI lost the game by 3 wickets, courtesy of a thrilling run chase. Carey’s dual contributions marked her as the top performer for the two-time champions, blending composure under pressure with all-round prowess.
Amelia Kerr
The sensational White Ferns all-rounder and T20I skipper Amelia Kerr endured a tough batting start in the WPL 4 opener, managing just 4 off 15 balls while opening alongside Gunalan Kamalini, standing in for the absent Hayley Matthews, and facing stern examination from Lauren Bell. Mumbai Indians posted 154/6, setting RCB a defendable target after the visitors bowled first upon winning the toss at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. Kerr redeemed herself spectacularly with the ball, igniting MI’s defence by foxing Radha Yadav with a googly on the first ball of her spell.
She piled on the pressure by dismissing the dangerous wicket-keeper batter Richa Ghosh in the same opening over, derailing RCB’s momentum. Kerr capped a stellar comeback with match figures of 4-0-13-2, her economical and wicket-taking prowess keeping the two-time champions in the hunt despite the eventual 3-wicket defeat. As MI’s top performer, her decisive strikes underscored her big-match temperament and all-round value.
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