Navi Mumbai, January 9, 2026 – The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 roared to life today with a captivating opener at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, where Mumbai Indians Women (MIW) locked horns with Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (RCBW). What unfolded was a tale of early struggles, a spectacular fightback led by the unheralded Sajeevan Sajana, and a blazing start to a challenging chase, leaving fans on the edge of their seats from the very first ball.

Grand Curtain-Raiser Amidst Star Power

The highly anticipated WPL 2026 season kicked off with a vibrant opening ceremony, despite a slight delay to the match start time. The crowd was treated to electrifying performances by Bollywood star Jacqueline Fernandez, singing sensation Yo Yo Honey Singh, and former Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu, setting a festive mood before the cricketing action commenced. The build-up was intense, with discussions swirling around the league’s top overseas stars like Hayley Matthews, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amelia Kerr for MIW, and Grace Harris, Nadine de Klerk for RCBW. Notably, Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry was absent for RCBW due to ‘personal reasons’, a significant void in their lineup.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women’s captain Smriti Mandhana won the toss and opted to field first, a decision that initially seemed astute as her bowlers made crucial inroads into the formidable Mumbai Indians Women’s batting line-up.

Mumbai Indians Women’s Early Stumbles

Mumbai Indians Women’s innings began cautiously, with openers Amelia Kerr and G Kamalini facing a disciplined RCBW attack. English pacer Lauren Bell, making an immediate impact, bowled a probing maiden over, generating ‘great swing’ and ‘troubling Amelia Kerr’ early on. The pressure soon paid off as Amelia Kerr, after a laborious 4 runs off 15 balls, was dismissed by Bell, caught by Arundhati Reddy. This early wicket for just 21 runs on the board set a tense tone.

The situation worsened when Nat Sciver-Brunt, one of MIW’s most destructive batters, was stumped by Richa Ghosh off Nadine de Klerk’s bowling. With MIW tottering at 35-2, captain Harmanpreet Kaur walked to the crease, tasked with steadying a rapidly sinking ship. De Klerk continued her excellent spell, proving to be the ‘pick of the bowlers’ for RCBW. She dealt another devastating blow by dismissing Harmanpreet Kaur for 20 off 17 balls, caught behind by Richa Ghosh. This left Mumbai Indians Women in serious trouble at 67 for 4 after just 11 overs. The disciplined bowling effort from RCBW, especially Nadine de Klerk’s eventual figures of ‘4 for 26’, highlighted their early dominance.

Sajeevan Sajana Ignites the Fightback

Just when it seemed MIW were staring at a sub-par total, a remarkable partnership emerged, transforming the innings’ complexion. Sajeevan Sajana, alongside Nicola Carey, unleashed a ‘fiery knock’ that revived Mumbai Indians Women from the brink. The duo counter-attacked with aggression and intelligence, injecting much-needed momentum into the innings. Sajana, in particular, was in blistering form, striking two fours off Arundhati Reddy in the 16th over and smashing a six and a four off Radha Yadav in the 15th, which was an ‘expensive over’ conceding 15 runs.

This partnership was pivotal, propelling MIW past the 100-run mark in the 15th over and then beyond 130 by the 18th. Sajana was ‘close to fifty’, batting on 40 off just 22 balls, demonstrating her incredible hitting prowess and nerve under pressure. Her ability to find boundaries and rotate the strike ensured MIW ‘were on the move’, turning what looked like a struggle for 120 into a competitive total. Thanks to their heroics, Mumbai Indians Women posted a respectable ‘154 for 6’, setting Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women a target of ‘155 runs’. The sheer determination and skill displayed by Sajana and Carey underscore the importance of lower-order contributions in the fast-paced T20 format.

RCBW’s Blazing Start to the Chase

Chasing 155, Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women got off to an explosive start, indicating their intent to dominate. Openers Smriti Mandhana and Grace Harris wasted no time in asserting their authority. Grace Harris began with a ‘crunching four’ off Nat Sciver-Brunt’s first ball, signaling their aggressive approach. The momentum continued with Smriti Mandhana pulling Shabnim Ismail ‘beautifully for a four through mid-wicket’, contributing to a ‘flying start’ with 20 runs off the first two overs.

The third over proved particularly expensive for MIW, as Nicola Carey conceded ’20 runs’. Grace Harris was in devastating form, smashing ‘three fours and a six’ in that single over. This relentless assault pushed RCBW to a formidable ’40-0′ after just three overs, putting immense pressure on the Mumbai Indians Women bowlers. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, despite trying different bowling options, found ‘no bowling change seems to be working’ to curb the run flow, highlighting the aggressive intent and execution by RCBW openers.

Mandhana’s Dismissal: A Critical Breakthrough

However, just as RCBW seemed to be cruising, Mumbai Indians Women found a lifeline. Shabnim Ismail delivered a ‘big breakthrough’ by dismissing the dangerous Smriti Mandhana. The off-cutter ‘angling away from Mandhana’ induced a slice ‘in the air to the mid-on’, where she was caught by Poonam Khemnar. Mandhana’s wicket for 18 runs off 13 balls, at a team score of 40 for 1 in 3.5 overs, was a pivotal moment. It disrupted RCBW’s exhilarating start and offered MIW a glimmer of hope to claw their way back into the contest.

Expert Analysis: The Shifting Sands of Momentum

This opening encounter perfectly encapsulates the volatile nature of T20 cricket, particularly in a high-stakes league like the WPL. Mumbai Indians Women’s innings was a narrative of stark contrasts: a top-order collapse orchestrated by superb bowling from Nadine de Klerk and Lauren Bell, followed by a masterful recovery led by Sajeevan Sajana and Nicola Carey. Their partnership not only rescued MIW from a precarious position but also set a target that, while not massive, demanded sustained effort from RCBW.

The phrase ‘playing shots on this wicket isn’t easy’, initially attributed to G Kamalini’s early efforts, gives crucial context to Sajana’s heroics. Her ability to score freely on such a surface speaks volumes of her skill and adaptability. The ‘fightback’ narrative is a compelling one, demonstrating resilience and strategic counter-attacking when under immense pressure. In a tournament featuring many ‘Women’s World Cup 2025-winning stars’, such individual brilliance can often define outcomes.

For RCBW, their start to the chase was nothing short of spectacular, showcasing the firepower of Mandhana and Harris. The 20-run over by Nicola Carey exemplified how quickly momentum can shift in this format. However, the dismissal of Smriti Mandhana, captured as a ‘big breakthrough’, re-introduces an element of tension. Her wicket means RCBW’s middle order will be tested earlier than anticipated, forcing them to consolidate while maintaining the required run rate. The WPL 2026 has, from its very first match, promised thrilling action and unpredictable twists.

This breaking news analysis highlights the fluid dynamics of a T20 match where every over, every wicket, and every boundary can alter the trajectory of the game. The WPL continues to be a platform for showcasing incredible talent and fierce competition, and this opening match is a testament to the league’s growing stature in women’s cricket globally.

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