The fourth season of the Women’s Premier League kicks off in Navi Mumbai as Mumbai Indians, last season’s champions, lock horns with former winners Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Match 1. Navi Mumbai holds special significance for the Indian players, with the stadium still echoing memories of a landmark ICC Women’s World Cup victory achieved in November 2025.

Key figures such as Harmanpreet Kaur, Radha Yadav, Smriti Mandhana, Amanjot Kaur, and Richa Ghosh all featured in India’s World Cup-winning XI. International success gives way to franchise rivalries as the WPL takes centre stage. Across the next four weeks, five teams will vie for the trophy, one that has thus far been lifted only by the opening-night contenders.

After edging Delhi Capitals again in last year’s final, Mumbai Indians enter the new season intent on setting early momentum. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who tasted success against the same opponents in the 2024 final, will also be eyeing a winning start.

RCB enter the new season bolstered by a mix of domestic and overseas reinforcements, bringing in players such as Radha Yadav, Lauren Bell, Grace Harris, Arundhati Reddy, Pooja Vastrakar, Nadine de Klerk and Georgia Voll.

Mumbai Indians, winners of the trophy on two occasions, have opted to add depth ahead of the new campaign by bringing in Nicola Carey, Sanskriti Gupta, Shabnim Ismail, and Milly Illingworth.

MI Vs RCB: head-to-head record

In seven encounters so far, Mumbai Indians Women have emerged on top on four occasions, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women have registered three wins.

Weather report

Conditions are expected to be warm early on at around 28°C, with temperatures easing to roughly 19–21°C as the evening progresses. Rain is not in the forecast for Navi Mumbai, with clear skies and gentle winds predicted.

Pitch report

The surface is likely to be firm and true, offering consistent bounce that should suit stroke-makers. Early overs could bring some assistance for seamers with mild swing under lights, while heavy dew later in the evening is expected to aid chasing sides.

MI Vs RCB : squads

RCB: Smriti Mandhana, Dayalan Hemalatha, Pooja Vastrakar, Grace Harris, Georgia Voll, Kumar Prathyoosha (WK), Richa Ghosh (WK), Arundhati Reddy, Sayali Satghare (Replacement for Perry), Prema Rawat, Nadine de Klerk, Lauren Bell, Radha Yadav Shreyanka Patil, Gautami Naik, and Linsey Smith

MI: Harmanpreet Kaur, G Kamalini (WK), Hayley Matthews, Amelia Kerr, Rahila Firdous (WK), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Poonam Khemnar, Sanskriti Gupta, Amanjot Kaur, Sajeevan Sajana, Nicola Carey, Triveni Vasistha, Saika Ishaque, Nalla Reddy, Shabnim Ismail, Milly Illingworth and Kranthi Reddy.