WPL 2026, Match 1: MI Women vs RCB Women - Match Highlights

Nadine de Klerk's brilliant all-round performances helped RCB Women to claim a stunning final-ball victory against the defending champions Mumbai Indians Women, as the WPL 2026 started extraordinarily. 

RCB Women captain Smriti Mandhana chose to field first after winning the toss on Friday evening (January 9). While the defending champions scored 154/6 in 20 overs, RCB Women chased down the target on the final ball of the match after losing seven wickets.

Sajeevan Sajana and Nicola Carey rescued MI Women, while Nadine de Klerk got 4 wickets

In the first innings, while Lauren Bell bowled brilliantly in her initial spell, opener Amelia Kerr (4) and the no.3 batter Nat Sciver-Brunt (4) were dismissed cheaply. Meanwhile, the other opener Gunalan Kamalini (32) and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (20) lost their wickets after getting starts. 

However, in the middle-order, Sajeevan Sajana and Nicola Carey had a great partnership that helped Mumbai Indians Women manage the 150+ total. While Sajeevan was dropped twice, she scored 45 off 25 balls with seven fours and one six. On the other hand, Nicola scored 40 off 29 balls with four fours. Sajeevan and Nicola had an 82-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

While Lauren Bell was impressive with her bowling figures of 4-1-14-1, Nadine de Klerk picked up four wickets with the bowling figures of 4-0-26-4. 

Watch: MI-W vs RCB-W final over chase that left fans stunned full video

Nadine de Klerk saved RCB Women

In reply, after a decent start with a 40-run opening partnership, RCB Women suddenly found themsleves at deep trouble with the score of 65/5. Nadine de Klerk and Arundhati Reddy had a crucial 52-run partnership for the sixth wicket, where Reddy scored 20 runs before losing her wicket, but Nadine continued to keep RCB Women alive in the game. 

In the final over, RCB Women needed 18 runs to win, while they added 11 runs in the previous over. Nat Sciver-Brunt was the bowler in that final over, where the first two balls were dots, and then Nadine slammed six, four, six, and four to snatch a dramatic win on the final ball of the match. After picking up four wickets, the Player of the Match Nadine de Klerk scored 63 not out off 44 balls with seven fours and two sixes.

Five out of six MI bowlers managed to pick up at least one wicket, while Amelia Kerr (2/13) and Nicola Carey (2/35) got two wickets each.