The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 gets underway with a blockbuster clash as Mumbai Indians Women take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women in the tournament opener. Scheduled for Friday, January 9, the high-voltage encounter will be played at the iconic Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, setting the stage for another thrilling season of elite women’s T20 cricket.
Read The Betting Professionals’ expert analysis for the 1st Match of WPL 2026 between Mumbai Indians Women vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women, including top cricket betting sites and predictions.
Mumbai Indians Women vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (MI-W vs RCB-W) Match Details, 1st Match - WPL 2026
Series | Women’s Premier League 2026 |
Series Match No | 1st Match |
Format | T20 |
Match Date | 9th January 2026 |
Match Time | `07:30 PM |
Venue | Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai |
Mumbai Indians Women vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (MI-W vs RCB-W) Match Preview, 1st Match - WPL 2026
Mumbai Indians Women (MI-W) Preview
After finishing second in the league phase last season, Mumbai Indians Women saved their best cricket for the business end of the tournament. Dominant performances in both knockout fixtures powered MI to their second WPL title in just three seasons, underlining their reputation as the competition’s most consistent side.
Once again, Nat Sciver-Brunt was the cornerstone of Mumbai’s campaign. The England all-rounder piled on 523 runs at a staggering average of 65.37, striking at 152.47, while the bowling attack was spearheaded by the highly effective spin duo of Amelia Kerr and Hayley Matthews, who claimed 18 wickets each.
Players to Watch – Mumbai Indians Women
Nat Sciver-Brunt: The most prolific batter in WPL history so far, Sciver-Brunt is the only player to cross 1,000 runs in the tournament. She boasts an impressive average of 46.68 and a strike rate of 141.85, making her indispensable at the top and in the middle order.
Hayley Matthews: One of the most impactful all-rounders in the league, Matthews has accumulated 758 runs while striking at 121.47 and is the leading wicket-taker in WPL history with 41 wickets at 17.56, making her a genuine game-changer.
Amelia Kerr: Arriving in fine form from her exploits with the Wellington Blaze, Kerr is the second-highest wicket-taker in WPL history, with 40 wickets at an average of 17.9, and remains a key weapon in Mumbai’s spin-heavy attack.
With match-winners across departments, Mumbai Indians Women once again enter the new season as a benchmark side and a formidable opponent for any team.
Mumbai Indians Women (MI-W) Predicted XI
Hayley Matthews, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Amanjot Kaur, Amelia Kerr, G Kamalini (WK), Shabnim Ismail, Saika Ishaque, Sajeevan Sajana, Sanskriti Gupta, Poonam Khemnar
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (RCB-W) Preview
The reigning champions of 2024, Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women, endured a far more challenging campaign in 2025. A prolonged slump that saw them lose five matches on the bounce derailed their season, as RCB-W eventually finished fourth in the standings, narrowly missing out on a place in the knockouts.
Despite the team’s struggles, Ellyse Perry stood tall and carried the batting unit almost single-handedly. Perry amassed 372 runs at a remarkable average of 93, striking at 148.8, while the bowling attack was led by fellow Australian Georgia Wareham, who picked up 12 wickets to cap off a strong individual season.
Players to Watch – Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women
Smriti Mandhana: The RCB captain hasn’t quite hit her peak yet in the WPL, with 646 runs at an average of 24.84. However, coming off a strong year internationally, this season could mark her long-awaited breakout.
Richa Ghosh: One of the most destructive batters in the league, Ghosh has scored 625 runs at 34.72, with an eye-catching strike rate of 150.96, making her a proven finisher and momentum-shifter.
Lauren Bell: A key new addition, Bell arrives in red-hot form, having taken 36 wickets in 21 matches over the past year. Averaging 14.36 and striking every 12.6 balls, she adds serious firepower to RCB’s pace attack.
With proven stars and fresh reinforcements, Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women will be eager to put their disappointing 2025 behind them and reassert themselves as genuine title contenders.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (RCB-W) Predicted XI
Smriti Mandhana (C), Nadine de Klerk, Shreyanka Patil, Pooja Vastrakar, Richa Ghosh (WK), Arundhati Reddy, Radha Yadav, Georgia Voll, Lauren Bell, Gautami Naik, Linsey Smith
Mumbai Indians Women vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (MI-W vs RCB-W) Head to Head
The head-to-head rivalry between Mumbai Indians Women and Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women has produced several closely fought encounters in the WPL so far. Across seven matches, MI-W hold a slight edge with four wins, while RCB-W have claimed three victories.
Mumbai Indians Women vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (MI-W vs RCB-W) Pitch Report, 1st Match - WPL 2026
The pitch at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy is batter-friendly, with good bounce and carry. Dew often aids chasing teams, making 150–160 a manageable first-innings total. Bowlers must stay disciplined, as even slight errors can be costly.
Mumbai Indians Women vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (MI-W vs RCB-W) Betting Odds
For the opening match of WPL 2026, Mumbai Indians Women start as the clear favourites, with odds of 1.72 on 1xBet. Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women, meanwhile, are priced at 2.14, setting up an intriguing contest despite MI-W’s edge on paper.
Mumbai Indians Women vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women Win Probability
According to Google’s prediction model, Mumbai Indians Women hold a slight edge with a 56% chance of victory, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women remain firmly in contention with a 44% probability of springing an upset.
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