- 17 Jan, 2026
Final Over Drama in WPL Opener: How RCB W Defeated MI W
The first match of the WPL season went to a final over. The opening game between RCB Women and MI Women was an edge-of-the-seat game. Nobody really expected the first game itself to go till the last ball, but cricket doesn’t care about expectations.
Mumbai Indians Women put 154/6 on the board. It looked decent and defensible. But RCB Women chased it down and finished at 157/7, even after losing a quick wicket. Read our full match highlights and ball-by-ball drama of the last over.
Match Highlights
The first match took place in Navi Mumbai. The pitch was good for batting. Let’s take a quick look at the game overview.
Match Overview:
Here is the quick match summary:
| Match Detail | Information |
| Match | WPL 2026 – 1st Match |
| Venue | DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai |
| Toss Winner | RCB |
| Match Winner | RCB |
| Final Score | MI: 154/6 | RCB: 157/7 |
| POTM Award | Nadine de Klerk |
Let’s look at the innings of both teams:
Innings of the Mumbai Indians :
MI started calmly. No reckless hitting at the start. G Kamalini played a steady role at the top and scored 32 runs. She didn’t try anything extra, just rotated strikes and punished loose balls.
The middle overs were not so good for MI. Not slow, not explosive. Then came the last phase, where things suddenly changed pace.
At the end, Carey and Sajana decided it’s time to go big. Carey scored 40, Sajana smashed 45, and those quick runs pushed MI beyond 150. Without that late hitting, MI would have been in trouble.
From RCB’s side, the bowling highlight was clearly de Klerk. She kept coming back and picking wickets when MI was trying to settle. She took 4 wickets in her spell.
RCB’s Chase:
RCB started their chase nicely. Openers looked comfortable. The ball was coming well onto the bat. 40 runs in just 3.4 overs, which is a strong start in any chase.
However, after this solid opening pair runs, the team lost quick wickets. RCB collapsed. The team lost 5 wickets quickly.
Score read 65/5 in 7.4 overs.
At that moment, most fans thought that the game was over. But one player didn’t think that way. De Klerk didn’t start smashing immediately. She stayed and watched the ball. Took singles and let the pressure settle.
Slowly, she began trusting her shots. The required rate was high, but she didn’t look nervous. Lower-order batters supported her just enough. Not big scores, but enough to keep the match alive. Her innings (63 runs off 44 balls) helped the team to grab the victory at the end.
RCB beat MI in a last-ball thriller‼️
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) January 10, 2026
How did Nadine de Klerk take Bengaluru home❓
Tanya Purohit reviews the #WPL2026 opener#MIvRCB pic.twitter.com/bwlT5s4EAP
RCB BEATS MI IN THE FIRST
— RVCJ Sports (@RVCJ_Sports) January 9, 2026
MATCH AT DY PATIL STADIUM#RCB #RoyalChallengersBengaluru #WPL pic.twitter.com/rpXWQXWM8H
Final Over Drama
The chase went to the final over. The match drama at this moment was at its peak.
- Equation: 18 runs needed from 6 balls
- RCB score: 137/7
- Bowler: Nat Sciver-Brunt
- On strike: de Klerk
Now the ball-by-ball madness:
- Ball 1: Dot ball. Dead silence. MI ahead.
- Ball 2: Another dot. Pressure doubles.
- Ball 3: Suddenly, de Klerk launches it. Six over long-off.
- Ball 4: Clean hit. Four runs. Also completes her fifty here.
- Ball 5: Big swing. Another six.
- Ball 6: Need 2 runs, and she hits four. RCB wins the game.
Player of the Match
There is no debate here. De Klerk won this award. She delivered in both departments:
- In batting, she scored 63 runs. She took 44 balls for this.
- She took 4 wickets. For this, she just conceded 26 runs.
This wasn’t just a performance. This was match control.
RCB beat MI in a last-ball thriller‼️
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) January 10, 2026
How did Nadine de Klerk take Bengaluru home❓
Tanya Purohit reviews the #WPL2026 opener#MIvRCB pic.twitter.com/bwlT5s4EAP
RCB BEATS MI IN THE FIRST
— RVCJ Sports (@RVCJ_Sports) January 9, 2026
MATCH AT DY PATIL STADIUM#RCB #RoyalChallengersBengaluru #WPL pic.twitter.com/rpXWQXWM8H
Impact of the Match on the Tournament
This was the first match of the WPL. First matches always set the tone. RCB didn’t just win, but they beat the defending champions. That gives belief, confidence, and early momentum. Those 2 points matter more than people think.
For MI, it’s not panic time, but yes, this loss will hurt. They were ahead for most of the game. One over changed everything. They’ll need to bounce back quickly.
Small Things That Changed the Result
- MI couldn’t remove de Klerk at the right time
- Final over pressure got the better of them
- RCB stayed calmer when it mattered
At the same time, attention has shifted to other global leagues where on-field performance remains the sole focus. Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s strong run at the top of the SA20 points table, driven by crucial bonus wins, highlights how franchise cricket elsewhere continues to thrive amid stability and sporting clarity.
Sunrisers Supreme: SEC Move Top of SA20 Table with Back-to-Back Bonus Point Wins
Final Words
This match showed exactly why people wait for WPL. The tournament has raised its bar from the first game. MI, despite showing a good match, ultimately lost. RCB did not leave it until the end. Half a century by de Klerk’s helped team to register victory. From here:
- MI will try to bounce back
- RCB will try to keep the momentum
Now, it will be interesting to see the upcoming battle of these two fiery teams in the tournament.
FAQs
Did RCB W defeat MI W?
The team won in the last over.
Who was the Player of the Match?
De Klerk.
Why was this match important?
Opening match plus the defending champions involved.
How many runs did teams make?
Match score:
- MI W – 154/6 (20 Overs)
- RCB W – 157/7 (20 Overs)
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