MI vs RCB WPL Match 1 Highlights: 18 Runs in Final Over Snatches Win for RCB
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 began with a heart-stopping thriller as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pulled off a sensational win over Mumbai Indians (MI) in Match 1. In a dramatic finish, Nadine De Klerk smashed 18 runs off the final 6 balls, turning the game on its head and delivering one of the most memorable finishes in WPL history.
What an absolute heart-stopper to kick off the 2026 Women’s Premier League! In a repeat of the 2024 final, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) stunned the defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) at the DY Patil Stadium.
The hero of the night, Nadine de Klerk, produced a performance for the ages, taking four wickets with the ball and smashing an unbeaten 63 to pull off a sensational 3-wicket victory.
Match Report: The Nadine de Klerk Show
The opening night of WPL 4 lived up to the hype as Nadine de Klerk turned the game on its head. After a disciplined bowling effort restricted MI to 154, RCB’s chase looked dead and buried at 137/7 with just 6 balls remaining.
Ball-by-Ball – Final Over Drama (Target: 18 runs)
Nat Sciver-Brunt, usually Mumbai’s most reliable finisher with the ball, started the 20th over perfectly with two dot balls. What followed was pure carnage:
-
Ball 1: FOUR! De Klerk cuts hard through point
-
Ball 2: SIX! Clean hit over long-on
-
Ball 3: DOT BALL — pressure peaks
-
Ball 4: FOUR! Squeezed past short third
-
Ball 5: TWO runs (misfield!)
-
Ball 6: SIX! De Klerk seals it in style
👉 18 runs off the over. Match over. MI stunned.
De Klerk’s fearless hitting completely flipped the script, leaving MI players in disbelief.
Mumbai’s Missed Chances
Earlier, MI had rebuilt their innings from 67/4 to 154/6, thanks to a blazing 82-run stand between Sajeevan Sajana (45) and Nicola Carey (40). However, MI’s fielding proved to be their downfall. De Klerk was dropped twice in the 19th over by Nat Sciver-Brunt and Amelia Kerr, and a crucial run-out chance was missed by wicketkeeper Kamalini.
Match Stats & Scorecard
| Team | Score | Top Performers |
| Mumbai Indians | 154/6 (20) | S. Sajana 45(25), Nicola Carey 40(29) |
| RCB | 157/7 (20) | Nadine de Klerk 63*(44), Arundhati Reddy 20(25) |
Bowling Figures
-
Nadine de Klerk (RCB): 4/26 (4 overs) — Player of the Match
-
Lauren Bell (RCB): 1/14 (4 overs)
-
Nicola Carey (MI): 2/22 (3 overs)
-
Amelia Kerr (MI): 2/30 (4 overs)
Key Takeaways for WPL 2026
-
The Finishers: Nadine de Klerk has officially announced herself as the most dangerous finisher in the league, filling the void left by Ellyse Perry’s absence.
-
Defensive Woes: For MI, the dew at DY Patil was a factor, but captain Harmanpreet Kaur admitted that “one good ball” was all they needed.
-
The New Platform: The JioHotstar debut was a success, with record-breaking peak concurrent viewership for a WPL opening match.
Next Step: With RCB starting on a high, would you like me to analyze the updated points table and the next big clash between Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Giants tomorrow?
Match Overview: MI vs RCB, WPL 2026 Match 1
-
Match: WPL 2026 – Match 1
-
Teams: Mumbai Indians Women vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women
-
Result: RCB won by 2 wickets
-
Finish: Last ball thriller
-
Player of the Match: De Klerk
