Mumbai Indians Women (MI-W) will lock horns with Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (RCB-W) in the opening match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 on Friday, January 9, at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.
Mumbai Indians Women enter the season as the defending champions, having clinched the WPL 2025 title with a victory over Delhi Capitals Women in the final. They are also the most successful franchise in the competition, lifting the trophy twice so far. Led by Harmanpreet Kaur,
MI-W boast a strong squad featuring Hayley Matthews, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amanjot Kaur, and Saika Ishaque, and will aim to secure a historic third title.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women, meanwhile, were crowned champions in 2024 and have enjoyed consistent success in recent seasons. Under the leadership of Smriti Mandhana, and with key players such as Richa Ghosh, Nadine de Klerk, Shreyanka Patil, and Arundhati Reddy in their ranks, RCB-W will be eager to lift the trophy for the second time.
MI W vs RCB W Match Details
| Match | Mumbai Indians Women vs Royal Challengers Women, Match 01, WPL 2026 |
| Date and Time | Friday, January 09; 7:30 pm (IST) |
| Venue | Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai |
| Broadcast and Live Streaming Details | Star Sports Network and JioHotstar (app and website) |
Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai - Pitch Report
The pitch at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai generally favours batters. Teams batting second are likely to benefit, as the ball tends to come onto the bat nicely due to the dew factor. Average first-innings scores usually range between 150 and 160, which are quite chaseable if batters spend time at the crease. Bowlers will need to maintain tight lines and disciplined lengths, as any inconsistency could make it difficult to build pressure and find rhythm.
MI W vs RCB W Head-to-Head Record
| Matches Played | 07 |
| Won By MI W | 04 |
| Won By RCB W | 03 |
| No Result/Tied | 00 |
| First Ever Fixture | March 06, 2023 |
| Most Recent Fixture | March 11, 2025 |
MI W vs RCB W Predicted Playing XIs
Mumbai Indians Women:
Hayley Matthews, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Amanjot Kaur, Amelia Kerr, G Kamalini (WK), Shabnim Ismail, Saika Ishaque, Sajeevan Sajana, Sanskriti Gupta, Poonam Khemnar
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women:
Smriti Mandhana (C), Nadine de Klerk, Shreyanka Patil, Pooja Vastrakar, Richa Ghosh (WK), Arundhati Reddy, Radha Yadav, Georgia Voll, Lauren Bell, Gautami Naik, Linsey Smith
MI W vs RCB W Probable Best Performers
Probable Best Batter: Nat Sciver-Brunt
Nat Sciver-Brunt could be the key batter in this clash. She was named Player of the Tournament in WPL 2025 after producing a series of dominant performances, scoring freely all around the ground and consistently troubling opposition bowlers. With 1,027 runs in 29 WPL matches so far, Sciver-Brunt remains one of the most reliable and destructive batters in the competition. She will be eager to carry her rich vein of form into the opening game of the new season and set the tone for Mumbai Indians Women.
Probable Best Bowler: Radha Yadav
Left-arm spinner Radha Yadav could be the key bowler in this clash. After spending the previous three seasons with Delhi Capitals Women, she begins a new chapter with her new team and will be eager to make an immediate impact. Radha has taken 14 wickets in the WPL so far while maintaining an economy rate below eight. Her role in the middle overs will be crucial, as her ability to control the run flow and pick up timely wickets could prove decisive in the contest.
