Defending champions Mumbai Indians managed to post a competitive total against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the opening match of the Women’s Premier League Season 4 at the DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai on Friday, despite Lauren Bell’s historic spell with the new ball.
The English pacer bowled 19 dot balls in her spell, which is tied for the second-highest number of dot balls in a single WPL innings.
Shabnam Ismail holds the record with 20 dot balls for Mumbai Indians against Gujarat Giants in Vadodara in 2025.
Debuted in red, decided to go green! 😁#LaurenBell recorded the most dot balls in a spell for #RoyalChallengersBengaluru bowler in TATA WPL!#TATAWPL, #MIvRCB 👉 LIVE NOW ➡️ https://t.co/9yNrlZigBP | @RCBTweets pic.twitter.com/chUtpw0Gpd
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 9, 2026
WPL 2026: MI Vs RCB – Live Score
It was South African pace-bowler Nadine de Klerk though, who took four wickets, but MI posted a competitive score of 154 for 6 against RCB, thanks to entertaining batting from Sajeevan Sajana.
After Lauren Bell struck early by dismissing opener Amelia Kerr (4), de Klerk (4/26) took the crucial wickets of Nat Sciver-Brunt (4) and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (20), slowing the champions’ momentum and reducing them to 67 for 4 in the 11th over.
However, Australian white-ball player Nicola Carey (40 off 29 balls) and Sajana (45 off 25 balls) formed a key 82-run partnership for the fifth wicket, helping MI reach a decent total. Sajana’s innings included seven boundaries and a six.
Opener Gunalan Kamalini (32 off 28 balls) was another significant contributor to Mumbai Indians’ score.
On Making RCB Debut…
Earlier, RCB captain Smriti Mandhana won the toss and chose to bowl first, considering the potential impact of dew later in the game.
Before the start of the match, Lauren Bell on making her debut for RCb had said:”It’s definitely been different. Different franchise and obviously RCB are pretty massive. It’s been a crazy few days since I landed, but yeah, I’m excited.”
“It’s been pretty non-stop. Obviously they’re a pretty big franchise, so there’s been lots going on. And then obviously trying to meet everyone and learn names and learn everything. It’s been really fun and I’m just excited for the first game tonight. It’s an amazing franchise that want me,” she added.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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