The Women’s Premier League 2026 gets going with a bang as defending champs Mumbai Indians face off against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. It all happens on January 9 at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. Both teams have plenty of history behind them, and honestly, they’re both itching to kick off the season with a win.
Mumbai Indians come in looking as solid as ever. Their squad mixes international stars and rising Indian players, and that depth always keeps them in the fight. On the other side, Royal Challengers Bengaluru bring their trademark intensity. They love to attack and won’t be shy about going after Mumbai’s crown right from the start.
The stadium’s packed, the lights are on, and two of the league’s biggest teams are ready to go at it. This opener isn’t just another game, but it’s set up for some real fireworks, clever moves, and a perfect launch for another season of top-tier women’s cricket.
Match Details: MI-W vs. RCB-W
Here are the Key Details of MI vs RCB
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Match 1 |
| Series | Women’s Premier League 2026 |
| Date | January 9, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai |
| Streaming | JioHotstar |
| Broadcast | Star Sports |
Source – mykhel
Head-to-Head Record: MI vs RCB
| Statistic | MI-W | RCB-W |
|---|---|---|
| Total Matches Played | 7 | 7 |
| Wins | 4 | 3 |
Performance in Last 1 Year
| Team | Played | Won | Lost | Win% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MI-W | 10 | 7 | 3 | 70.00% |
| RCB-W | 8 | 3 | 5 | 37.50% |
Top Performers in the Last Year
Batters:
- Nat Sciver-Brunt (MI-W): 523 runs
- Ellyse Perry (RCB-W): 372 runs
Bowlers:
- Hayley Matthews (MI-W): 18 wickets
- Georgia Wareham (RCB-W): 12 wickets
Pitch Report
Here is the pitch report that tells us the quality of the pitch:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Pitch Character | Balanced/Sporting. Offers a consistent pace and bounce, allowing batters to play through the line once settled. |
| Early Advantage | Seamers. The new ball provides some swing and carry in the initial overs. |
| Mid-Game Shift | Spinners. As the match progresses and the surface slows, spinners find more grip and turn during the middle overs. |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 165–168 runs. |
| Boundary Dimensions | Short (48 m) to Moderate (66 m). The relatively short square boundaries often lead to high-scoring games. |
| Toss Strategy | Bowl first. Historically, chasing teams have a higher success rate here. |
MI-W vs RCB-W Match 1: Winning & Toss Odds
| Platform | 1xBet | Stake | 4RABET | BetVibe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MI-W Win Odds | 1.72 | 1.75 | 1.74 | 1.73 |
| RCB-W Win Odds | 2.02 | 2.03 | 2.05 | 2.04 |
| Toss Odds (MI-W) | 1.90 | 1.92 | 1.94 | 1.89 |
| Toss Odds (RCB-W) | 1.90 | 1.92 | 1.94 | 1.89 |
Probable Playing XI
Here are the probable playing 11 of both teams:
Mumbai Indians (MI-W)
1. G Kamalini (WK), 2. Hayley Matthews, 3. Nat Sciver-Brunt, 4. Harmanpreet Kaur, 5. Amelia Kerr, 6. Amanjot Kaur, 7. S Sajana, 8. Sanskriti Gupta, 9. Saika Ishaque, 10. Shabnim Ismail, 11. Milly Illingworth
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB-W)
1. Smriti Mandhana, 2. Georgia Voll, 3. Richa Ghosh (WK), 4. Nadine de Klerk, 5. Grace Harris, 6. Pooja Vastrakar, 7. Shreyanka Patil, 8. Arundhati Reddy, 9. Radha Yadav, 10. Lauren Bell, 11. Shreyanka Patil
Team Analysis
Here is some key information about both teams:
Mumbai Indians (MI-W)
The two-time champs kick off this season with pretty much the same core group. Harmanpreet Kaur’s still calling the shots, leading a squad that’s got the right mix of old hands and fresh faces. They held onto five key players before the big auction, then grabbed a few more to plug the gaps.
Nat Sciver-Brunt is still their MVP. She owned the last WPL, picking up Player of the Tournament, and she’s back to lead from the front. Hayley Matthews bats like a hurricane at the top and chips in with some handy off-spin. Then there’s Amelia Kerr, the New Zealand all-rounder—MI dropped 3 crore on her in the auction, and she’s worth every bit, steady with both bat and ball.
The bowling attack’s no joke either. Shabnim Ismail brings raw pace, and Kerr’s spin gives more options. Young G. Kamalini made a solid impression in her debut last year, so there’s real promise there. With this kind of depth, MI can mix and match their lineup however they want.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB-W)
RCB’s got a real problem right out of the gate. Ellyse Perry, their star all-rounder and last year’s Orange Cap winner, just pulled out of WPL 2026 for personal reasons. She’s been their most reliable player for three straight seasons. Sure, Indian all-rounder Sayali Satghare is stepping in, but let’s be honest, that’s a big hole to fill.
Now, all eyes are on Captain Smriti Mandhana. She’s coming off a pretty good home series against Sri Lanka; 120 runs in four matches isn’t bad at all. Plus, they’ve got Richa Ghosh behind the stumps, and she can really light up the middle order when she gets going.
Where RCB looks especially strong this time is their bowling. They picked smart at the auction and now have a solid Indian core: Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, and Radha Yadav. Add in Lauren Bell and Nadine de Klerk from overseas, and suddenly the bowling attack looks like their biggest strength.
Key Players to Watch
Here are the best players to watch out for in battle:
Best Batter: Smriti Mandhana (RCB-W)
The Indian vice-captain comes into the tournament riding a wave of good form. She just hammered 80 runs in the last T20I against Sri Lanka. Mandhana has played at the top level for years, so she knows how to hold an innings together. She’s got this knack for timing the ball and picking out gaps in the field, which makes her dangerous no matter who’s bowling.
Best Bowler: Amelia Kerr (MI-W)
New Zealand’s all-rounder topped the wicket charts in WPL 2025, picking up 13 wickets. Her leg-spin keeps batters guessing; she mixes sharp turns with clever variations. Kerr isn’t just a threat with the ball, though. She chips in with the bat too, holding things together in the middle order. Last season, she tore through the UP Warriorz lineup and grabbed a five-wicket haul.
Match Prediction
Mumbai Indians look like the team to beat here. Most of their squad is still intact from their 2025 championship run, with ten players back, which helps a lot with chemistry. Harmanpreet Kaur leads from the front, and those overseas stars? They know how to turn a game around.
RCB, on the other hand, really feels the loss of Ellyse Perry. Without her, there’s a big gap in both batting and bowling. Smriti Mandhana can hold the batting together, but after her, it gets shaky. The bowlers have potential, sure, but they haven’t really had a chance to prove themselves as a group yet.
As for the pitch at DY Patil Stadium, it’s usually pretty fair; everyone gets something out of it. If RCB bats first, they need at least 160 on the board to make MI sweat. Chasing on this ground tends to be easier, so don’t be surprised if the toss ends up being a big deal.
Winner Prediction: Mumbai Indians (MI-W)
The defending champs have a lot going for them. They know their combinations, they’ve got a steady leader, and their lineup is packed with players who know how to win big moments. Honestly, it’s tough to look past them, especially with Perry missing from RCB. That really swings things toward MI.
Still, this opener should be a lot of fun. Both teams have fired-up fans and plenty of history. Whoever wins will grab some early momentum, and with the way this season’s shaping up, that matters. Women’s cricket is in for another tight, exciting ride.
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Conclusion: MI-W vs RCB-W Sets the Perfect Start to WPL 2026!
The MI-W vs. RCB-W WPL 2026 opener isn’t just another match; it kicks off the season with real energy. You’ve got two stacked teams, a bunch of standout players, and fans who keep multiplying every year. Honestly, this one’s got all the ingredients: tension, skill, and probably a few jaw-dropping moments right from the start. No matter how the scoreboard looks at the end, this match sets the tone for everything that follows. There’s a reason everyone circles Mumbai Indians Women vs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women on the calendar. It’s always a big deal.
