HIGHLIGHTS MI vs RCB WPL 2026 Match 1 - Result, Scorecard

Welcome back for RCB's reply with the bat. The umpires and players make their way out to the middle. Harmanpreet Kaur offers some final words of wisdom as MI form a huddle before scattering across the park. It will be a new-look opening pair for Royal Challengers Bengaluru as Grace Harris accompanies her skipper, Smriti Mandhana, to the crease. Who has the new ball in hand? Nope. It's not Ismail. Nat Sciver-Brunt will get us underway with the first over. Harris to face. With G Kamalini, the keeper, up to the stumps and a slip in place. Here we go...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

So 155 is the magic number for the Royal Challengers to get on board with two points. We did see the bowlers struggling a bit towards the climax of the first innings, possibly because of the dew factor creeping in. With that in mind, RCB will fancy their chances of chasing this below-par total. But it won’t be easy, as they will have to contend with the likes of Shabnim Ismail and Sciver-Brunt, and the new-ball phase with some early swing could prove crucial. Back in a bit for the exciting run chase.

Let's hear from Mumbai Indians' Sajana Sajeevan, who is up for a quick interview with the broadcasters. Sajana says she is very happy to have contributed. She adds that the approach with Nicola Carey was to take it ball by ball and avoid dots. Shares that the focus was on pushing the total beyond 150. Sajana believes they have posted a good score on the board and backs the bowlers to defend it. She hopes to continue contributing more for the team as the tournament progresses.

Harmanpreet Kaur and G Kamalini then put together a handy partnership as the ball softened and the swing disappeared. Just when things were starting to look better, MI suffered a big blow with Kaur’s dismissal for 20, halting the momentum and forcing another rebuild. On debut, Nicola Carey brought some calm from one end, but the move to send Sajana Sajeevan ahead of Amanjot Kaur proved to be a masterstroke. Dropped twice in successive overs, first on 2 and then on 4, Sajana made sure RCB paid for those missed chances. She started to tee off at the right moment, with Carey joining the party. They formed a brisk 82-run alliance towards the backend and helped MI cross 150, which, in all honesty, looked a bit far at one stage.

It was a tough start for the Mumbai Indians after they were asked to bat first. With Hayley Matthews missing out on this game due to her being unwell, MI had to open with Amelia Kerr, a role she has done before. However, against a swinging new ball and a disciplined spell from Lauren Bell, she struggled to get going. The early dismissal of Nat Sciver-Brunt added to the pressure, and MI could only crawl to 34 for 1 at the end of the Powerplay.

A decent comeback by the Mumbai Indians in the last 5 overs. They were exactly 100/4 after 15 overs, and accelerated just when they were in search of some big overs. Still, one might argue that it is not a huge score, considering the dew factor, which might come into play later on. Credit goes to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru bowlers, who kept things tight in the first ten overs. Lauren Bell and Nadine De Klerk were the stars, conceding just 40 runs between them in eight overs, with De Klerk picking up a brilliant 4-wicket haul. The total could have been higher, but the South African all-rounder bowled with control, giving away only 5 runs in the final over to regain some momentum for RCB.

Nadine De Klerk to Poonam Khemnar, Excellent execution! Nadine De Klerk nails the yorker, outside off, Khemnar tries to squeeze it out but misses. Mumbai Indians finish with 154 on the board!

Poonam Khemnar walks in to face the last ball of the innings.

Nadine De Klerk to Nicola Carey, OUT! CAUGHT! Dayalan Hemalatha somehow hangs on. Another off-cutter, running across the left-hander. Carey moves to the leg side to go over extra cover. Slices it off the outer half to short third, where Hemalatha takes a couple of steps back and seems to have lost the ball in the lights. She manages to get both hands together around her knees and clings on.

Nadine De Klerk to Nicola Carey, FOUR! Arundhati Reddy should have done better there. Angling away from over the wicket, on a short of a length, Nicola backs away to pierce the in-field on the off side. Ends up chopping it down, wide of point, where Reddy is late to get the dive in and the ball sneaks under her body before racing away.

Nadine De Klerk to Amanjot Kaur, Close but not close enough! Off-cutter, on a length, in and around the off stump. Kaur goes deep in the crease and hops inside the line to go behind square on the leg side. As she swings, her bat makes contact with the turf, and as a result, she is unable to connect. The ball sneaks past the inside edge and catches Amanjot on the back pad. No bat involved on UltraEdge and although the ball is hitting the off stump, the impact is umpire's call. The on-field decision stays.

A review taken by Smriti Mandhana for LBW, challenging the on-field decision. No bat involved on the UltraEdge. The ball is projected to hit the off stump, but the impact is umpire's call on Ball Tracking, so the on-field decision is upheld.

Nadine De Klerk to Amanjot Kaur, Pace off, on a length, on middle, Kaur bunts it back towards the bowler.

Top knock from Sajana Sajeevan under pressure. She really made RCB pay for those dropped chances. Amanjot Kaur walks in at number 7, with five balls to go.

Nadine De Klerk to Sajana Sajeevan, OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Sajana Sajeevan holes out, but not before playing a fine hand. Off-cutter, on a good length, on off. Sajana skips down the track and stays leg side of the ball to go inside out. She does not get the desired connection and spoons it over extra cover, where Smriti Mandhana backpedals and settles under it to take a good catch. 45 (25) for Sajana. Mumbai Indians are 5 down for 149.

Nadine De Klerk (3-0-22-2) will bowl the final over. Can MI get past 160? They actually can, as the Royal Challengers are penalised for a slow over rate. An extra fielder will have to be brought inside the circle.

Arundhati Reddy to Sajana Sajeevan, Drags the length back and keeps it at the stumps, Sajana pulls it through square leg and keeps the strike with a single. 16 runs off the 19th over.

Arundhati Reddy to Sajana Sajeevan, FOUR! Too straight and Sajana finds the fence! Full and slanting into the pads, Sajeevan helps it wide of short fine leg to her left and picks up a boundary.

Arundhati Reddy to Sajana Sajeevan, Wide! Sliding down leg, Sajeevan misses out on the glance.

Arundhati Reddy to Nicola Carey, Full and outside off, Carey swings hard to go through the off side but the ball squirts off an inside edge through mid-wicket for a single.

Arundhati Reddy to Nicola Carey, At 91.4 kph, very full, on middle. Nicola gets low and picks it up on the full. Works it towards deep mid-wicket, where Radha Yadav runs to her right and overruns the ball. She slips as well, but manages to get her hands behind the ball to make the stop. Two more runs.

Arundhati Reddy to Nicola Carey, Reddy switches to around the wicket and the yorker goes slightly wrong. Loopy low full toss, on middle and leg. Nicola makes room and drags it between deep mid-wicket and long on for a brace.

Arundhati Reddy to Nicola Carey, Wide! Reddy tries to follow Carey as she backs away, but this is down leg. Nicola lets it be.

Arundhati Reddy to Nicola Carey, FOUR! Third over in a row that has started with a boundary. Reddy hurls it on a length, on off, Carey picks the slower one and waits on it slightly before lofting it back over the bowler's head for a four.

Penultimate over coming up. It will be bowled by Arundhati Reddy (3-0-21-0) so far. She replaces Nadine De Klerk.

Shreyanka Patil to Sajana Sajeevan, Pushes it through, short and outside off, Sajana flashes but is beaten for pace.

Shreyanka Patil to Sajana Sajeevan, Slower through the air but the length stays short, on middle. Sajana skips down the track and swats it wide of deep square leg for a couple of runs. A check for a short run by the third umpire but Sajeevan is fine.

Shreyanka Patil to Sajana Sajeevan, And again! Flat and short, on off, Sajana thumps it with a horizontal bat but can't beat cover-point.

Shreyanka Patil to Sajana Sajeevan, Missed out! Short and wide on off, there to be put away, Sajana Sajeevan slaps it hard but picks out point.

Shreyanka Patil to Nicola Carey, Shorter and on middle, Nicola pulls it in front of square on the leg side for one.

Shreyanka Patil to Nicola Carey, FOUR! Innovative and mighty effective! On a nagging length, outside off, Carey brings out the reverse and connects well. She gets it behind point for a four.

Dropped on 2 and then on 4, Sajana Sajeevan has really snapped the momentum from RCB's clutches. The last three overs have gone for double figures. 150 is looking very possible now, which looked really far at one point. Shreyanka Patil is back on, replacing Arundhati Reddy.

Nadine De Klerk to Sajana Sajeevan, FOUR! In the slot and dispatched! Nadine De Klerk gets the length wrong, on off and middle. Sajeevan clears the front leg and swings across the line. She mows it to the left of Arundhati Reddy at deep mid-wicket and picks up four more. 14 runs off the over. 41 off the last 3 overs.

Nadine De Klerk to Sajana Sajeevan, FOUR! It almost went the distance! De Klerk misses the yorker by a small margin. At the sticks, Sajana hangs deep in the crease, winds up and gets under the ball. She clubs it between deep mid-wicket and long on. The ball lands just in front of the boundary cushions for the second boundary of the over.

Nadine De Klerk to Nicola Carey, Another yorker, at the base of the leg stump. Nicola drops her bat down on the ball hurriedly. Squeezes out an inside edge behind square leg for a single.

Nadine De Klerk to Nicola Carey, Loopy yorker, at the toes. Carey is beaten on the flick on the inside edge and gets hit on the front pad.

Nadine De Klerk to Sajana Sajeevan, On a good length, on off and middle. Sajana hits it down to long on for a single. The 50-run stand comes up in 33 balls!

Nadine De Klerk to Sajana Sajeevan, FOUR! The boundaries keep flowing off the bat of Sajana Sajeevan. De Klerk errs in length as she dishes out a full toss, outside off. Sajana slices it with an open bat face between backward point and short third for a boundary.

STRATEGIC BREAK. Mumbai Indians are picking up the pace now as the last two overs have gone for 27 runs. Sajana Sajeevan, who was dropped twice in successive overs, has started to tee off now, with Nicola Carey anchoring one end beautifully on her WPL debut. To get past 150, MI will have to bat at 10 runs per over from here, and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru will aim to break this partnership and drag the momentum back. Nadine De Klerk (2-0-8-2) to bowl after the break.

Arundhati Reddy to Sajana Sajeevan, Low full toss, on off and middle. Sajana Sajeevan gets low and wrists it wide of long on for a single. 12 runs off the over.

Arundhati Reddy to Sajana Sajeevan, FOUR! Good use of the feet! On a length, on off and middle. Sajeevan charges down the track despite the keeper being up to the stumps. She stays leg side and swings through to go over the fielder at mid off for four more.

Arundhati Reddy to Sajana Sajeevan, FOUR! Gets it away! Reddy digs it in short, around the left shoulder. Sajana Sajeevan rises with the bounce and hooks it over and wide of the short fine leg fielder to her right for a four.

Arundhati Reddy to Nicola Carey, At the stumps, on a length, Carey knocks it down to long on for a run.

Arundhati Reddy to Sajana Sajeevan, Seemed like the leg-cutter, on a length, outside off. Sajana has a big swing at it but drags it off the inner half to deep mid-wicket for one.

Arundhati Reddy to Nicola Carey, Reddy spots Nicola backing away and she follows her with a yorker. Carey flicks it through square leg and turns the strike over.

Radha Yadav to Sajana Sajeevan, FOUR! Finds the gap again! Yadav drops it full and around off, Sajana Sajeevan gets a bit across and goes down on a knee and slogs it between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for a boundary. 15 off this over. 100 UP FOR MUMBAI INDIANS!

Radha Yadav to Sajana Sajeevan, Full on off and middle at 75.8 kph. Sajana drops to one knee and goes for the reverse sweep, but picks out Bell at short third.

Radha Yadav to Sajana Sajeevan, SIX! KABOOM! Radha serves it on a platter, full and on middle, Sajana Sajeevan dances down the track and smokes it downtown for a cracking six.

Radha Yadav to Nicola Carey, Pitched full and the leg stump line, Nicola sweeps it away to deep backward square leg for a single.

Radha Yadav to Nicola Carey, FOUR! Gets it through! Drops it short and wide outside off, Nicola Carey has enough time to rock back and cut it through the narrow gap at point for a boundary. A welcome boundary for MI.

Radha Yadav to Nicola Carey, Fractionally fuller, around off, Nicola Carey tries to reverse sweep, only to miss.

Arundhati Reddy to Nicola Carey, Around off, on a length, steered past backward point for one more.

Arundhati Reddy to Sajana Sajeevan, Full and outside off, driven through covers for a single.

Arundhati Reddy to Sajana Sajeevan, DROPPED! Dear me! Sayali Satghare, the substitute fielder, is the guilty party this time. Full and outside off, Sajana Sajeevan fails to get under the ball and drills it flatly towards mid off, where Sayali Satghare moves a bit to her left and grasses a regulation chance.

Arundhati Reddy to Nicola Carey, Touch full, angling in and around the leg stump, Nicola Carey steers it to the vast acreage at deep square leg for a single.

Arundhati Reddy to Sajana Sajeevan, Overpitched on off, Sajana Sajeevan drills it to the left of the bowler for a single.

Arundhati Reddy to Nicola Carey, Full and on the pads, flicked off the pads wide of mid-wicket for a single.

Radha Yadav to Nicola Carey, Too full, on the legs, clipped through mid-wicket for a single.

Radha Yadav to Nicola Carey, Stops on the surface, full and on middle, Nicola reverse sweeps it to backward point.

Radha Yadav to Sajana Sajeevan, DROPPED? Yes! Dayalan Hemalatha shells one down. Flighted, short, and just outside off. Sajana throws the kitchen sink at it and hacks it straight towards Hemalatha at mid-wicket, who puts down a straightforward chance. The ball goes away off her hands and the batters cross for one.

Radha Yadav to Nicola Carey, Drags the length back, on the stumps, nudged across to the mid-wicket region for a single.

Radha Yadav to Nicola Carey, Short and on the stumps, Nicola Carey rocks back and drags it via pull between long on and deep mid-wicket. The long on fielder runs to her left and dives to cut it off, but lobs the ball wide of the converging deep mid-wicket fielder. By the time the fielder mops it up, the batters cross each other twice.

Radha Yadav to Sajana Sajeevan, Starts off from around the wicket. Shortish ball, on middle, Sajana Sajeevan waits back and whips it to deep square leg for a single.

Shreyanka Patil to Nicola Carey, A half-hearted appeal for LBW from Richa behind the stumps, but nothing doing. A length delivery pitching outside leg that turns away sharply. Carey plays all around it and is struck on the back leg.

Shreyanka Patil to Nicola Carey, WIDE! Slides one down leg, on a fractionally fuller length. Nicola tries to paddle it fine, but misses. WIde called.

Shreyanka Patil to Nicola Carey, Another piece of good running between the wickets! Around off, on a good length, Nicola Carey gets on the back foot and cuts it to the left of the diving point fielder for two more as deep cover cuts it off to her right.

Shreyanka Patil to Nicola Carey, Short and outside off, Nicola Carey presses back and cuts it behind square on the off side for a couple of runs.

Shreyanka Patil to Sajana Sajeevan, On a length, in front of the stumps, Sajana Sajeevan whips it wide of mid-wicket for one.

Shreyanka Patil to Sajana Sajeevan, Length-delivery, on off, punched to short extra cover.

Shreyanka Patil to Nicola Carey, Short of a length, outside off, steered off the back foot to deep backward point for a single.

Mumbai Indians slip further into trouble. Sajana Sajeevan joins Nicola Carey out in the middle.

Nadine De Klerk to Harmanpreet Kaur, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! RCB keep chipping away at the wickets and this is a massive one in the form of the MI skipper. A length delivery outside off that holds its line a touch. Harmanpreet looks to unfurl a booming cover drive, but all she manages is a thin outside edge behind, which is safely taken by Ghosh, who is standing up to the stumps. De Klerk appeals for caught behind and up goes the finger. Harmanpreet Kaur perishes on 20 off 17 and the Mumbai Indians are 67/4 after 11 overs.

Nadine De Klerk to Nicola Carey, Almost dragged on! Around off, on a good length, nipping in a bit. Nicola Carey swipes across the line to pull, but gets an inside edge past the leg stump towards deep fine leg. A single taken.

Nadine De Klerk to Nicola Carey, This one skids through the deck, full and on middle, Nicola Carey is rushed on the front foot and eases it to the right of the bowler. De Klerk dives to her right on the follow-through to stop it.

Nadine De Klerk to Harmanpreet Kaur, Nips in from a length, on top of middle and leg. Harmanpreet Kaur waits back and clips it through backward square leg for a single. Kaur moves to 20 off 16.

Nadine De Klerk to Nicola Carey, She is off the mark in WPL! Back of a length, on the pads, Nicola Carey nudges it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Nadine De Klerk to Harmanpreet Kaur, Full and around off, Harmanpreet Kaur crouches and carves it through point for a single.

Out goes G Kamalini and in walks the debutant, Nicola Carey at number 5. Nadine De Klerk (1-0-4-1) returns to the attack.

Shreyanka Patil to G Kamalini, OUT! DRAGGED ON! Shreyanka Patil breaks through for RCB. Patil spears it in from around the wicket, full and outside off, G Kamalini gets down on a knee for the hard sweep, but the ball skids through and comes in with the arm to catch the inside edge. It deflects off the blade and crashes into the stumps. 32 (28) for Kamalini. Mumbai Indians are 63/3 at the halfway mark.

Shreyanka Patil to G Kamalini, Miscued but safe! Tossed up, on off, G Kamalini gets down the track and swings at it despite not being to the pitch of the ball. She slices it off the outer half over extra cover for a brace.

Shreyanka Patil to Harmanpreet Kaur, Slowed down by Patil and the length is pulled back a bit, outside off, Harmanpreet eases it through point for a single.

Shreyanka Patil to Harmanpreet Kaur, SIX! Clean strike! Flighted delivery, full and outside off. Kaur gets the width to work with and she collapses her back knee before tonking it over extra cover for a six.

Shreyanka Patil to G Kamalini, A bit of turn, short and around off, G Kamalini taps it to the left of backward point for one.

Shreyanka Patil to Harmanpreet Kaur, Short and spinning back in, on middle. Kaur whips it to wide long on for a single.

STRATEGIC BREAK! The Mumbai Indians are struggling to get going as the bowlers of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru haven't allowed any sort of freedom. Lauren Bell is already done with her spell with figures of 4-1-14-1, and she made life very difficult for Amelia Kerr, eventually fishing her out as well. G Kamalini looks well set now with Harmanpreet Kaur at the other end, and this partnership could prove vital from MI’s point of view with the ball getting older and softening up. Is this the time when they switch gears? Let's see. Shreyanka Patil to continue after the break.

Lauren Bell to G Kamalini, Fuller at 106.9 kph, on off, Kamalini presses forward and plays a punchy drive but picks out the fielder at extra cover. 7 runs off the last over of Bell. She ends with impressive figures of 4-1-14-1.

Mumbai Indians are scoring at less than a run-a-ball right now and these two will try to push the run rate up now.

Lauren Bell to G Kamalini, Wide! From around the wicket to the left-hander, this slides down leg, Kamalini misses out on the tickle.

Lauren Bell to Harmanpreet Kaur, Closer to the off stump, into the surface, Kaur swipes it between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg. She wants to come back for the second run but Arundhati Reddy is quick to get rid of the ball and keeps the batters down to one.

Lauren Bell to Harmanpreet Kaur, Wide! Sprayed beyond the tramline on off, Kaur lets it go through.

Lauren Bell to Harmanpreet Kaur, FOUR! Gets it through! Cross-seam delivery, on a back of a length, on off, Kaur plays the short-arm jab and it goes on the bounce to the mid-wicket fielder, who gets low to make the stop but fails to get her body behind the ball. It bounces past her right hip and races away.

Lauren Bell to Harmanpreet Kaur, A flash and a miss! Dug in short by Bell, outside off, Kaur hops and flays at it but does not connect. The MI skipper looks at the square leg umpire but does not get the signal she was looking for.

Lauren Bell to Harmanpreet Kaur, On a short of a length, around off, Kaur gets on her toes and dabs it to backward point.

Lauren Bell to Harmanpreet Kaur, A bit of nip back into the right-hander, on a good length, on middle, Harmanpreet Kaur gets right behind it and blocks it out.

Shreyanka Patil to Harmanpreet Kaur, A bit quicker through the air and the length stays full, on middle. This is hit down to long on for another single. 7 runs off Shreyanka's first over.

Shreyanka Patil to G Kamalini, Drifting in at the toes, Kamalini gets the front leg out of the way and wrists it to wide long on for one.

Shreyanka Patil to Harmanpreet Kaur, Drags the length back, on middle, Kaur flicks it wide of mid-wicket for a run.

Shreyanka Patil to G Kamalini, In the air...but it lands safely! Floated up from around the wicket, full and outside off, G Kamalini sets up for the slog sweep and takes the risk of going against the turn. She gets it off the toe end of the blade but the ball lands in the gap between deep mid-wicket and long on. Arundhati Reddy gets around to her left and cuts it off. They cross.

Shreyanka Patil to Harmanpreet Kaur, Keeps it slow and short, on middle, Kaur pulls it through square leg and turns the strike over.

Shreyanka Patil to Harmanpreet Kaur, Patil switches to over the wicket and lands it on a nagging length, around off, Kaur cuts it late but can't get it past backward point.

Shreyanka Patil to Harmanpreet Kaur, Wide! And again. Spinning down leg, on the shorter side, Harmanpreet lets it pass.

Shreyanka Patil to Harmanpreet Kaur, Wide! Turn straight away for Patil. Starts from around the wicket but a bit short, turning down leg. Kaur lets it be.

Shreyanka Patil is into the attack now. She replaces Linsey Smith.

Nadine De Klerk to Harmanpreet Kaur, Angled in at the hips, on a short of a length, Kaur gets it away down to deep fine leg for a single.

Nadine De Klerk to G Kamalini, On a back of a length, on middle, whipped wide of mid-wicket for a run.

Nadine De Klerk to G Kamalini, This is fuller, on off, Kamalini pushes it to mid off.

Nadine De Klerk to Harmanpreet Kaur, Pitched up, outside off, Kaur strokes it through covers and opens her account with a single.

Mumbai Indians in early trouble as they have lost two big wickets cheaply. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur walks in at number 4.

Nadine De Klerk to Nat Sciver-Brunt, OUT! STUMPED! Sharp work by Richa Ghosh. Full and a bit of tail back into the right-hander, Sciver-Brunt pushes out in front of her body but the ball rolls behind off the inner half towards Richa Ghosh, who is standing up to the stumps. Nat wanders out of the crease but Ghosh is alert to the situation. Richa gets down and picks the ball up beside the off stump before breaking the stumps. The third umpire is called into action. Sciver-Brunt did try to plonk her back leg inside the crease but had no part of her feet behind the popping crease when the bails came off. Nat Sciver-Brunt departs on 4 (3).

Is NSB short of her crease? She is walking off already, but the third umpire is summoned into action to check for a stumping. Richa Ghosh collected the ball and whipped the bails off as Nat Sciver-Brunt stepped out of her crease and got an inside edge to the keeper. The side-on replay shows that she is clearly out of the crease when the stumps are broken.

Nadine De Klerk to G Kamalini, Full and angling away, Kamalini eases the drive through covers for a single.

That's the end of the Powerplay and the fielding restrictions will now be lifted! Royal Challengers Bengaluru have bossed it up by not letting Mumbai Indians get away with just 34/1 on the board. Nadine De Klerk is brought into the attack now, replacing Lauren Bell.

Linsey Smith to Nat Sciver-Brunt, FOUR! Easy pickings! Fired down leg, way too short, Sciver-Brunt needs no second invitation as she swivels and pulls it behind square leg for a boundary to get off the mark. 13 runs off the final over of the Powerplay. At the end of 6 overs, MI are 34/1.

Linsey Smith to Nat Sciver-Brunt, This is slowed down at 78.4 kph, on a nagging length, on middle. The ball stops a bit on Nat Sciver-Brunt and she checks her shot as she pushes it back to the bowler.

Linsey Smith to G Kamalini, Keeps it full, on middle, Kamalini sweeps it in front of square on the leg side for one.

Linsey Smith to G Kamalini, FOUR! Fine shot! A bit too full from Linsey, on middle, Kamalini gets down on a knee quickly and sweeps it over square leg for four more. The 5th boundary of the night and all have come off the bat of Kamalini.

Linsey Smith to G Kamalini, Fuller through the air, Kamalini reaches out in front for the sweep but toe-ends it to mid-wicket.

Linsey Smith to G Kamalini, FOUR! In the gap! Sliding across the left-hander, on the shorter side, Kamalini presses forward at first and is quick to go deep in the crease after judging the length. Pulls it past mid-wicket and picks up a boundary.

Lauren Bell has her reward. Nat Sciver-Brunt walks in at number 3 for MI. Linsey Smith (1-0-10-0) returns into the attack, replacing Arundhati Reddy.

Lauren Bell to Amelia Kerr, OUT! MISTIMED IN THE AIR AND GONE! Lauren Bell gets the first wicket of WPL 2026 and ends Kerr's scratchy stay. She never looked comfortable at the crease and just couldn't get going. Lauren slams the deck hard, seeing Kerr dancing down the track. Amelia Kerr tries to force the pull over the leg side, but the ball gets big on her and spoons up off the top edge. Arundhati Reddy from extra cover runs a bit forward and cradles the ball around her chest. 4 (15) for Amelia Kerr in the curtain raiser and the Mumbai Indians are 21/1 after 5 overs.

Lauren Bell to G Kamalini, Short and climbing on the batter, G Kamalini swivels and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Lauren Bell to G Kamalini, FOUR! Finds the gap this time around! Full and outside off, G Kamalini accepts the width on offer and crisply drives it through the gap between cover and point for a boundary.

Lauren Bell to G Kamalini, Swing and a miss! G Kamalini clears the front leg and tries to heave across the line on this full ball, around off, but the ball nibbles into the batter and beats her on the inside edge.

Lauren Bell to G Kamalini, WIDE! A loosener from Lauren! Short and down leg, G Kamalini ignores. Wide called.

Lauren Bell to G Kamalini, Still unable to get Bell through! Nips in from middle, on a hard length, G Kamalini heaves off the inner half of the bat to mid-wicket.

Lauren Bell to G Kamalini, Shapes in on a good length, on off, G Kamalini uses her feet and knocks it to mid off.

Arundhati Reddy to G Kamalini, Much fuller, around off, G Kamalini slices it a bit uppishly, but luckily for her, the ball lands safely between mid off and extra cover for a single.

Arundhati Reddy to G Kamalini, Short of a length, slanted outside off, G Kamalini tries to punch it on the rise to the off side, but fails to get the connection.

Arundhati Reddy to G Kamalini, At 94.7 kph, an outswinging delivery on a good length, going across the batter. G Kamalini does not move her feet and plays loosely away from her body. Gets beaten on the outside edge.

Arundhati Reddy to Amelia Kerr, An inswinger, on a good length, around the leg stump. Amelia Kerr clips it to the left of Lauren Bell at short fine leg, who fumbles a bit and allows a single.

Arundhati Reddy to Amelia Kerr, A bit too straight at the pads, full in length, Amelia Kerr whips it off her pads between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg. The deep mid-wicket fielder runs to her right and cuts it off with a slide. Two taken.

Arundhati Reddy to Amelia Kerr, With the keeper up to the stumps, Reddy bowls a fuller ball, and gets some inswing, Amelia Kerr presses forward and forces the drive to mid on.

Lauren Bell to G Kamalini, Snakes back in from middle, on a good length, G Kamalini stays back and taps it with soft hands to extra cover.

Lauren Bell to Amelia Kerr, And finally, she is off the mark on her 11th ball! Length ball, angled into the body, Amelia Kerr rocks back and tucks it to the right of mid-wicket and rushes to the other end for a single.

Lauren Bell to Amelia Kerr, BEATEN AGAIN! She advances down the track and tries to steer this full ball away, but the ball moves away to zip past the outside edge.

Lauren Bell to Amelia Kerr, Finally, she connects one, but has to wait for her first run! Pitched fuller, outside off, Kerr prods forward and drives it to mid off.

Lauren Bell to Amelia Kerr, Under serious pressure, is Kerr! Bell shapes away from a fuller length, around off, Kerr shimmies down the track to whack it down the ground, only to miss.

Lauren Bell to Amelia Kerr, BEATEN! Length ball, outside off, swinging away, Amelia Kerr swings at it once more, and cannot connect yet again.

Linsey Smith to G Kamalini, FOUR! Top shot! Drags the length back, drifting outside off, G Kamalini creates room for herself on the back foot and pierces the cover-point gap for a boundary. 10 runs off Smith's first over in WPL.

Linsey Smith to G Kamalini, Tossed up, full and on off, G Kamalini leans forward and smothers the spin.

Linsey Smith to G Kamalini, On a length, this is slapped off the back foot to mid off.

Linsey Smith to G Kamalini, Goes straight on, touch full and just outside off, G Kamalini plays for the spin but gets beaten all ends up on the outside edge.

Linsey Smith to G Kamalini, Short again, sliding outside off, G Kamalini rocks back and threads the cover and point gap for a couple of runs.

Linsey Smith to G Kamalini, FOUR! Mumbai Indians are up and running! Too short to start by Smith, around off, from around the stumps. G Kamalini hangs deep inside the crease and cracks it through covers for a boundary.

It will be spin from the other end in the form of Linsey Smith.

Lauren Bell to Amelia Kerr, Bell gets it up there, very full, at the base of the off stump. Kerr gets her bat down and digs it out to cover. A probing first over from the English quick. She starts with a maiden.

Lauren Bell to Amelia Kerr, Another play and a miss! This has been a wonderful start from Bell. Lauren pitches it up and gets the ball to move away in the air, Amelia steps out to negate the swing and tries to whip it across the line but is well beaten.

Lauren Bell to Amelia Kerr, Still, no bat on ball! An outswinger on a good length around the fourth stump. Kerr looks to free her arms with an ambitious drive away from the body, but the ball whistles past the outside edge.

Lauren Bell to Amelia Kerr, A massive appeal for LBW, but not given! Mandhana has a chat with her bowler, but they opt not to review it. Probably doing a lot to slide down leg. Nips into the batter from the middle stump line. Kerr plays all over it and the ball beats the inside edge to rap on the front pad.

Lauren Bell to Amelia Kerr, Swing and a miss! Short of a length, outside off, curving away prodigiously. Amelia Kerr stands tall and swings across the line to pull, but misses.

Lauren Bell to Amelia Kerr, Starts off with an absolute beauty! Lands it around off, on a good length, and gets it to kick up and shape away late. Amelia Kerr hangs her bat away from the body to block, and gets beaten on the outside edge.

The wait is over, and we are all set to get underway in Navi Mumbai, where India tasted World Cup glory 68 days ago. It’s an electric atmosphere, as you’d expect, with close to a packed house already in attendance. Smriti Mandhana has her troops in a huddle before they take their respective positions in the field. No Hayley Matthews tonight due to being ill, so Amelia Kerr, who has opened in the past for MI, walks out with G Kamalini. Lauren Bell will kickstart proceedings with the new ball. Kerr will face the first ball from the tall English speedster. A slip in place. Here we go!

Before we get going, the two teams and match officials will line up for the Indian national anthem.

We are done with a glittering opening ceremony and are not far away from the first ball. Before that, let’s take a look at what the pitch has to offer. Former New Zealand wicket-keeper batter Katey Martin is pitchside, and she says it is a nice and cool evening. Katey notes that the straight boundary measures 66 metres, with the square boundaries coming in at 61 metres on one side and 53 metres on the other. Joining her, former India captain Mithali Raj adds that this is a red-soil surface which has been rolled very well, with a decent grass covering to help bind the wicket together. She feels the seamers could get a bit of assistance early on with the new ball, with some movement expected off the surface. Raj believes that it is an out-and-out batting-friendly wicket and she expects a high-scoring game. When asked by Katey whether 200 could be breached tonight, Mithali doesn’t rule it out, citing the nature of the surface and the boundary dimensions.

With the opening ceremony in full flow and performances still lighting up the stage, the curtain-raiser could see a slight delay, with the start likely to be pushed further by around 10 minutes. We don't have any official word regarding that, but since there are only a few minutes left for the regular start time, a delay does seem likely.

Mumbai Indians (Playing XI) - Harmanpreet Kaur (C), G Kamalini (WK), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amelia Kerr, Amanjot Kaur, Nicola Carey (On WPL debut), Poonam Khemnar, Shabnim Ismail, Sanskriti Gupta, Sajana Sajeevan, and Saika Ishaque.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI) - Smriti Mandhana (C), Grace Harris, Dayalan Hemalatha, Richa Ghosh (WK), Radha Yadav, Nadine De Klerk, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Prema Rawat, Linsey Smith, and Lauren Bell.

While we await the playing XI of both sides, the lights are off at the DY Patil Stadium for the opening ceremony. The atmosphere is electric as there are a few power-packed performances lined up for the pre-match entertainment. Miss Universe 2021, Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu, the very famous Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez and the ever energetic Indian popstar 'Yo-Yo' Honey Singh are the ones to set the stage on fire.

The captain of the Mumbai Indians, Harmanpreet Kaur, says they wanted to chase because the dew factor plays a huge role at DY Patil. Shares that the preparation has been great coming into the tournament, as they practised hard for the last 10 days, and everyone is looking in good touch. Informs that Hayley Matthews is unfortunately not playing as she is unwell, and Nicola Carey will be making her debut.

The captain of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Smriti Mandhana, says the decision to field first was influenced by the dew, which she feels plays a huge role at this venue and makes it a good chasing ground. Mandhana also speaks positively about the squad dynamic, saying the group has gelled really well. She describes it as a young, fun group that has prepared thoroughly, with everyone putting in the hard yards ahead of the season. She admits the excitement is building and says the team can’t wait to get started. Informs that they have 6 debutants, with Grace Harris, Nadine De Klerk, Lauren Bell, and Linsey Smith being the four overseas players featuring tonight.

TOSS - Smriti Mandhana calls it right at the coin flip and Royal Challengers Bengaluru elect to BOWL first.

Whenever these two sides clash, it’s not only a rivalry but an ultimate face-off with spicy matchups. Mandhana vs Harmanpreet of all tops the list. Both have been in fine form with the bat lately, but where Kaur averages above 40 with the bat so far, Mandhana trails her on 24.84 in the WPL. By no means does this decide who is best and who is not, but both the Indian stalwarts have well and truly been the backbone of their respective sides. The women in blue won their first three clashes on the trot, only for the women in red and gold to win the next three of their four in their head-to-head. But in their solitary clash at DY Patil, the Mumbai Indians came on top, back in 2023. With renewed energy and hope, it’s time for season 4 to come alive. Toss and teams coming up very shortly. Stay tuned.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the 2024 title winners, had a disappointing 2025, where they couldn't make it to the playoffs. And this time, their challenge is magnified by the absence of star all-rounder Ellyse Perry, who will miss the entire campaign. Filling her void will be no easy task, given her influence across all three departments. Smriti Mandhana continues as the face of the franchise, backed by formidable T20 firepower in Georgia Voll, Grace Harris, Richa Ghosh and Nadine De Klerk, forming a dangerous batting unit. The bowling attack is led by a strong pace trio of Arundhati Reddy, Pooja Vastrakar and Lauren Bell, complemented by a spin group featuring Radha Yadav, Harris, and Shreyanka Patil.

Mumbai Indians’ success is rooted in continuity, perseverance and unwavering trust in the core. That philosophy remains intact. The only notable change comes off the field, with two-time title-winning coach Charlotte Edwards departing and Lisa Keightley stepping in to take charge from now on. Harmanpreet Kaur leads once again, flanked by proven match-winners in Nat Sciver-Brunt, Hayley Matthews, Shabnim Ismail, and Amelia Kerr, a spine that has delivered whenever called upon. Reinforcements arrive in the form of leg-spinning all-rounder Poonam Khemnar and teenage left-armer Triveni Vasistha, while young Australian quick Milly Illingworth bolsters the pace stocks.

Franchise cricket brings a variety of players from different geographies together, but the biggest element on which it sustains is the rivalry it produces. MI and RCB have been perennial rivals in the IPL, and in the brief history of the WPL, it’s no less a rivalry already. With an overall record of 4-3 head-to-head, slightly tilted in favour of the women donning blue and gold, it proves that the competition has been fierce when these two teams face off. While the Mumbai Indians went on to clinch their second title in three seasons last year, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru also silenced their critics in 2024 by winning the title, even before the men of this franchise.

DRUMROLLS!!! The inaugural season marked the commencement of something historic in the development and nurturing of women’s cricket in India. Seasons two and three were the continuation of that with increased competition, which shaped, defined and expanded the careers of many. And here we are again. Hello and welcome to the fourth season of the Women’s Premier League. The curtain raiser of the 2026 edition is here, and there couldn’t be a better way to start things off. Defending champions Mumbai Indians go up against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the DY Patil Stadium. So hop on with us for this exciting journey.

... MATCH DAY ...

'A victory that will ignite a nation, it will create a legacy for generations of young women to follow,' said Ian Bishop in his powerful voice as Harmanpreet Kaur set off on a celebratory run after taking the final catch in the Women’s World Cup final on the night of 2nd November, 2025. That night was historic in every sense of the word. It was about far more than India lifting their first senior Women’s World Cup. That legacy now moves from memory to momentum as the fourth edition of the Women’s Premier League arrives. Five teams go head-to-head for silverware over 28 days, with the summit clash scheduled for 5th February. The tournament will be played across two legs, with Navi Mumbai hosting the first 11 matches before we move to Vadodara for the remainder of the league stage and the knockouts. The competition follows a double round-robin format, consistent with the previous three seasons. The knockout structure also remains unchanged. The team finishing at the top of the standings will advance directly to the final, while the teams finishing second and third will meet in the Eliminator for a place in the summit clash. The league underwent a mega auction, with teams allowed to retain a maximum of five players going into it, and how the new-look sides will fare adds intrigue. The tournament gets underway with a blockbuster as two-time champions and reigning holders Mumbai Indians take on the 2024 champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. First up, a look at the Mumbai Indians, the most successful side in the league’s history, having won 20 out of their 29 matches. MI held on to two of the most sought-after names in world cricket, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Hayley Matthews. They ensured continuity by bringing back key overseas performers Amelia Kerr and Shabnim Ismail. Depth has been further strengthened with the addition of all-rounder Nicola Carey, while in the pace department, MI have invested in youth with the signing of Australian quick Milly Illingworth, who brings valuable experience from the Women’s Big Bash League over the past three seasons. One area MI will be keen to address is the opening combination. While Hayley Matthews has been a mainstay at the top, finding the right partner has been a lingering challenge. This season, the franchise has made a bold call by retaining wicketkeeper-batter G Kamalini, a graduate of the Under-19 World Cup. She is expected to partner with Matthews at the top of the order, and whether that move pays off will be one of the storylines to watch. Among the local talent, all-rounder Amanjot Kaur has seen her career follow a steady upward trajectory and is another quality option in the strong all-round group MI have built this season. Saika Ishaque has tapered off after bursting onto the scene in the inaugural edition, but MI have continued to show faith by buying the left-arm spinner back. The franchise has also bolstered its spin resources by backing the all-rounder duo of Sajana Sajeevan and Sanskriti Gupta. Coming to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, they entered the previous season as defending champions but failed to make the knockouts, managing just 3 wins from 8 games to finish fourth. This season will not be easy either, especially with the absence of Ellyse Perry, who has withdrawn due to personal reasons. She had communicated her decision to RCB before the auction, and while the franchise attempted to fill the void, her all-round value is virtually impossible to replace. Bengaluru have also made a change in the coaching staff, appointing Malolan Rangarajan as their new head coach. Malolan had been serving as an assistant coach to the Australian Luke Williams, who has stepped down after two seasons in charge. A major acquisition for RCB is the signing of Proteas all-rounder Nadine De Klerk, who adds immense value with the ball and through her power-hitting. They have further strengthened their firepower with the signing of Grace Harris, who can also contribute with her off-breaks. Among the overseas recruits is talented Australian top-order batter Georgia Voll, who is expected to partner Smriti Mandhana. Left-arm orthodox spinner Linsey Smith is another key signing, having impressed at the World Cup, particularly with the new ball. The tall English quick Lauren Bell is another new-ball option Mandhana will have at her disposal. She endured a difficult World Cup and has previously been part of UP Warriorz, but has yet to feature in a WPL game. Apart from Mandhana, Richa Ghosh and Shreyanka Patil were retained by Bengaluru. Patil returns after missing a major chunk of 2025 through multiple injuries, including the previous WPL season, but RCB opted to retain her. Indian pace-bowling all-rounders Arundhati Reddy and Pooja Vastrakar have also found a new home in Bengaluru. Sayali Satghare, another seam-bowling all-rounder who initially went unsold at the auction, was later drafted in as a replacement for Perry. As far as the Indian spin options are concerned, apart from Patil, Radha Yadav and Prema Rawat add further depth and variety to RCB’s bowling attack. All that sets the stage for a fitting curtain-raiser to WPL 2026. MI bring continuity and a proven winning core, while RCB arrive with fresh faces, renewed intent, and plenty to prove after last season’s disappointment. Who are you backing to come out on top on the opening night?