WPL 2026 Highlights: De Klerk’s Heroics Dismantle Defending Champions MI
WPL 2026 opened with high drama as Royal Challengers Bengaluru registered a stunning three-wicket victory over defending champions Mumbai Indians at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. South African all-rounder Nadine de Klerk delivered a match-winning all-round performance, returning figures of 4/26 before anchoring the chase with an unbeaten 63. Her explosive finish, which included 18 runs off the final four balls, sealed a memorable successful pursuit of 155 for RCB in the WPL.
Toss and Team News
RCB captain Smriti Mandhana won the toss and elected to field first.
RCB Playing XI
Smriti Mandhana (C), Grace Harris, D Hemalatha, Richa Ghosh (WK), Radha Yadav, Nadine de Klerk, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Prema Rawat, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell
MI Playing XI
Harmanpreet Kaur (C), G Kamalini, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amelia Kerr, Amanjot Kaur, Nicola Carey, Poonam Khemnar, Shabnim Ismail, Sanskriti Gupta, Sajeevan Sajana, Saika Ishaque
RCB Dominate the Powerplay
RCB made early inroads with the ball, led by Lauren Bell, who bowled three of the first six overs, conceding just 7 runs and picking up a wicket.
Despite the pressure, 17-year-old G Kamalini impressed with her strokeplay, racing to 26 off 20 balls, striking five boundaries.
MI: 34/1 in 6 overs
Middle Overs: RCB Keep Things Tight
Kamalini continued to anchor the innings, reaching 32, but fell at the 10-over mark. RCB’s disciplined bowling ensured MI struggled to break free.
Bell finished with impressive figures of 1/14, while Shreyanka Patil and de Klerk chipped in with wickets.
MI: 63/3 in 10 overs
Late Surge Takes MI to 154
MI skipper Harmanpreet Kaur fell for 20, but a crucial 82-run fifth-wicket stand between Sajeevan Sajana (45 off 25) and Nicola Carey (40 off 29) lifted MI from a projected 130 to a competitive total.
De Klerk struck twice in the final over, dismissing both Sajana and Carey, to finish with a superb four-wicket haul.
MI: 154/6 in 20 overs
RCB’s Chase: Strong Start, Sudden Collapse
RCB began confidently, with Mandhana (18) and Grace Harris adding 40 for the opening stand.
However, MI hit back quickly:
Shabnim Ismail removed Mandhana
Nat Sciver-Brunt dismissed Harris
Richa Ghosh fell cheaply for 6
At halfway, RCB were in trouble.
RCB: 75/5 in 10 overs
De Klerk and Reddy Rebuild
With the match slipping away, de Klerk joined Arundhati Reddy to rebuild the innings. The pair rotated strike intelligently and punished loose deliveries, keeping RCB in the contest.
At the 16-over mark, the equation remained steep.
RCB: 117/5 in 16 overs
Required: 38 off 4 overs
Final Over Drama: De Klerk Delivers
The match came down to the final moments. RCB needed 18 runs from the last four balls.
De Klerk then produced one of the most dramatic finishes in WPL history:
Ball 1: Six
Ball 2: Four
Ball 3: Six
Ball 4: Four
RCB sealed the chase in astonishing fashion, sparking wild celebrations and leaving the defending champions stunned.
RCB win by 3 wickets
Player of the Match
Nadine de Klerk
Batting: 63* (match-winning knock under pressure)
Bowling: 4/26 (brilliant spell that broke the opposition’s momentum)
Match-winning contributions with both bat and ball, turning the game decisively in her team’s favour
Key Takeaways
De Klerk delivers one of the greatest all-round performances in WPL history
RCB start WPL 2026 with a massive confidence boost
MI’s middle-order collapse and death bowling cost them
A thrilling reminder of the WPL’s growing quality and intensity
Conclusion
The WPL 2026 opener lived up to expectations, delivering drama, skill, and an unforgettable finish. Nadine de Klerk’s brilliance not only secured RCB a famous victory but also set the tone for a fiercely competitive season ahead.
Written By The Cricket Show:
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