Who Is Nadine de Klerk? RCB Star Who Took 4 Wickets & Scored 63 in WPL 2026 Thriller
On January 9, 2026, the cricketing world witnessed one of the greatest individual performances in T20 history. South African all-rounder Nadine de Klerk powered the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to a historic 3-wicket victory against the defending champions, Mumbai Indians (MI), in the WPL 2026 season opener.
Nadine de Klerk announced herself in emphatic fashion at the WPL 2026 with one of the greatest all-round performances in league history. Playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) against Mumbai Indians (MI), the South African star delivered a match-winning show — 4 wickets with the ball and an unbeaten 63 with the bat — to snatch victory from MI in a last-over thriller.
Her performance didn’t just win a match; it cemented her status as a big-game player and a rising force in women’s T20 cricket.
Why Nadine de Klerk Is in the Spotlight
- Match: WPL 2026, MI vs RCB (Match 1)
- Bowling figures: 4 wickets
- Batting: 63* (not out)
- Result: RCB won a last-over thriller
- Impact: Player of the Match contender & instant fan favourite
De Klerk dominated both innings, first breaking MI’s momentum with the ball and then producing ice-cold finishing under pressure.
In a match that seemed all but lost for RCB, Nadine de Klerk delivered a “one-woman show” at the DY Patil Stadium.
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With the Ball: She dismantled the MI middle order, finishing with career-best WPL figures of 4/26. She claimed the crucial wickets of Nat Sciver-Brunt and captain Harmanpreet Kaur, restricting MI to 154/6.
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With the Bat: Coming in at No. 6 with RCB reeling at 65/5, she played a composed yet explosive innings.
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The Final Over Glory: Needing 18 runs from the final over against Nat Sciver-Brunt, De Klerk went 0, 0, 6, 4, 6, 4 to seal the win on the final ball.
Biography: Who is Nadine de Klerk?
Nadine de Klerk is a South African international cricketer known for her “clutch” ability to perform under extreme pressure.
- Full Name: Nadine de Klerk
- Date of Birth: January 16, 2000
- Age (2026): 26 years
- Birthplace: Pretoria, South Africa
- Nationality: South African
- Role: All-rounder
- Batting Style: Right-hand bat
- Bowling Style: Right-arm medium-fast
Nadine de Klerk is known for her athleticism, power-hitting ability, and wicket-taking knack, making her one of the most valuable T20 all-rounders in world cricket.
Early Career & Rise
A multi-talented athlete, Nadine excelled in javelin and hockey before choosing cricket. She made her international debut for South Africa at just 17 years old in 2017. Her breakthrough moment came during the 2020 T20 World Cup semi-final against Australia, where she took 3/19.
International Career Overview
De Klerk made her international debut at a young age and quickly became a regular in South Africa’s white-ball squads.
Career Highlights
- Represented South Africa in ODIs, T20Is, and World Cups
- Known for delivering clutch performances in pressure games
- Regular contributor with both bat and ball in T20Is
She has often been used as:
- A middle-order enforcer with the bat
- A change bowler who can strike in key moments
The WPL Journey
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2024: Played for RCB in their maiden championship-winning season.
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2025: Represented Mumbai Indians (MI).
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2026: Returned to RCB for a record-shattering season-opening performance.
Career Statistics (As of Jan 10, 2026)
| Format | Matches | Runs | High Score | Wickets | Best Bowling |
| WPL (T20) | 12 | 245 | 63* | 18 | 4/26 |
| WT20Is | 72 | 712 | 44* | 55 | 3/7 |
| WODIs | 64 | 1,024 | 84* | 72 | 4/32 |
Nadine de Klerk in WPL 2026: Match-Winning Performance vs MI
Batting Heroics: 63* Under Pressure
Chasing a challenging target, RCB were in trouble before De Klerk took control.
- Calm start, explosive finish
- Attacked MI’s death bowling fearlessly
- Finished the match with authority in the final over
Her unbeaten 63* was a masterclass in power + composure.
Bowling Brilliance: 4 Wickets
Earlier in the match, De Klerk’s bowling turned the game:
- Picked up 4 crucial MI wickets
- Broke partnerships in middle overs
- Kept MI from crossing the 180+ mark
Her ability to deliver in both innings made the difference.
Nadine de Klerk – Key Stats (Career Snapshot)
International T20s (Approx.)
- Matches: 50+
- Runs: 700+
- Strike Rate: 120+
- Wickets: 40+
- Best Bowling: 4-wicket haul
WPL 2026 (After MI Match)
- Matches: 1
- Runs: 63*
- Wickets: 4
- Player Impact: Match-winner
(Stats indicative; updated figures will evolve as the tournament progresses.)
Reaction After the Match
- Fans: Social media erupted, hailing her as RCB’s new clutch star
- Experts: Called it one of the best all-round performances in WPL history
- RCB Camp: A massive confidence boost early in the season
Final Summary
Nadine de Klerk’s 4-wicket haul and unbeaten 63 against MI wasn’t just a match-winning effort — it was a statement. In one night, she proved she can win matches single-handedly at the biggest stage.
If this performance is any indication, WPL 2026 could well be Nadine de Klerk’s breakthrough season.
