Defending champions Mumbai Indians had no answers to Nadine de Klerk’s brilliance as Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s all-rounder took her team to a win by 3 wickets in the opening match of the WPL 2026. MI posted just 154/6 on a batting-friendly wicket, and with dew on the ground, RCB were considered the favourites before the start of the second innings.

The 2024 champions looked in command when openers Smriti Mandhana (18 runs off 13 balls) and Grace Harris (35 runs off 12 balls) added 40 runs for the first wicket, but the captain’s dismissal started the batting collapse, which put RCB in trouble. However, Nadine de Klerk changed the game completely, scoring an unbeaten 63 runs off 44 balls, laced with 7 fours and 2 sixes.

Amelia Kerr (2) and Nicola Carey (2 wickets) bowled well for MI.

Earlier, Sajeevan Sajana (45) and Carey (40) added crucial runs for Mumbai. For RCB, Nadine de Klerk took 4 wickets.

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