MI vs RCB WPL Prediction: Mumbai Indians Women (MI-W) are set to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (RCB-W) in the curtain-raiser of the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026.
The season opener will be played on Friday, January 9, at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.
WPL 2026 Match Schedule
MI vs RCB
- Date: Friday, January 9
- Time: 7:30 PM IST
- Venue: DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai
- Captain (MI): Harmanpreet Kaur
- Captain (RCB): Smriti Mandhana
MI vs RCB Head-to-Head
Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have faced each other in seven matches so far in the history of the Women's Premier League. Out of these, MI have won four games, while RCB have won three.
MI vs RCB IPL 2026 Preview
Mumbai Indians Women begin the new season as defending champions, having won the WPL 2025 title against Delhi Capitals Women. They remain the most successful side in the league with two trophies, and under Harmanpreet Kaur's captaincy-along with stars like Hayley Matthews,
Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amanjot Kaur, and Saika Ishaque-they will push for a third championship.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women, the 2024 winners, have also been strong in recent years. Led by Smriti Mandhana and backed by key performers such as Richa Ghosh, Nadine de Klerk, Shreyanka Patil, and Arundhati Reddy, RCB-W will hope to claim their second title.
The surface at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai generally supports batters, especially in the second innings when dew helps the ball come on to the bat. First-innings totals around 150-160 are common and usually within reach if batters settle in. Bowlers will need accuracy and discipline, as even small errors can be costly on this pitch.
MI vs RCB IPL 2026 Prediction: Who will Win Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Today?
Mumbai Indians Women enter as slight favourites. As defending champions and the most successful team in the league, MI-W have a more settled core with Harmanpreet Kaur, Nat Sciver-Brunt, and Hayley Matthews in strong form. Their experience in pressure situations could give them an edge.
RCB-W, led by Smriti Mandhana, also have a balanced squad with match-winners like Richa Ghosh and Shreyanka Patil, but their inconsistency in closing out big matches has hurt them in the past. With the DY Patil pitch favouring batters-especially under lights-MI's powerful top order may benefit more from the conditions.
So, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side hold a slight advantage and are favourites to win the WPL 2026 opener, though RCB-W remain strong challengers capable of causing an upset.
