MI vs RCB Highlights, WPL 2026: Nadine de Klerk powers Royal Challengers Bengaluru to snatch win by 3 wickets

What a finish at DY Patil! Nadine de Klerk single-handedly guides RCB to a sensational win, hitting 63 off 44 balls in an explosive cameo.

In the final over, she unleashes a flurry of boundaries and sixes, including a huge six over corner and a game-sealing four down the ground. From needing runs off the last couple of balls, de Klerk keeps her cool, punishes the slower deliveries, and completes a stunning turnaround.

RCB snatch victory in thrilling fashion by scoring 20 runs in the last over.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru need 18 runs off last 6 deliveries. Can Nadine de Klerk and Prema Rawat turn the tables?

Mumbai Indians continue to tighten the screws as Nicola Carey claims two crucial wickets. After Arundhati Reddy departs for 20, caught neatly by Amelia Kerr at deep mid-wicket, Carey gets Shreyanka Patil bowled with a full delivery that clips the stumps. RCB are struggling to rebuild, and MI are firmly in control as the pressure mounts in the middle overs.

Nadine de Klerk 29 (24) and Arundhati Reddy 17 (21) in action. RCBW need 44 runs in 30 balls

Mumbai Indians tighten the noose as Amelia Kerr strikes twice in the over, leaving RCB reeling. After knocking over Radha Yadav with a beauty, Kerr lures Richa Ghosh into a false shot, and Nicola Carey produces a superb catch at long-off, judging it perfectly to stay inside the rope. RCB’s slide continues as they lose half their side, and MI are firmly dictating terms in the chase. RCBW 65/5 after 8 overs.

Mumbai Indians tighten their grip as Amanjot Kaur traps Hemalatha lbw, continuing RCB’s sudden collapse. Hemalatha is beaten by a straight delivery aimed at the stumps and walks without opting for a review. She departs for 7 off 12, and RCB lose yet another wicket as MI maintain the pressure in the early middle overs.

Mumbai Indians claw their way back into the contest as Nat Sciver-Brunt dismisses Grace Harris, completing a dramatic shift in momentum. After racing to 40 without loss in the first three overs, RCB lose two wickets for just seven runs in the next two. Harris miscues a lofted shot to long-on, where Shabnim Ismail holds on despite slipping, and MI suddenly have the upper hand. RCB 47/2 after 5 overs.

Mumbai Indians strike back at a crucial moment as Shabnim Ismail removes Smriti Mandhana after building sustained pressure. After a string of dot balls, Mandhana goes for a release shot but only manages a top edge, which Poonam Khemnar holds on to at mid-on. The RCB skipper departs for 18 off 13, handing MI a much-needed breakthrough in the powerplay.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru explode in the third over, hammering 20 runs off Nicola Carey to signal serious intent in the chase. Grace Harris sets the tone with a towering hit straight down the ground before Smriti Mandhana takes over, repeatedly finding the boundary with effortless timing. Carey struggles to find her lengths as RCB surge forward, the openers in complete command and the early momentum firmly with the visitors.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru begin the chase on a positive note, picking up 11 runs from the opening over against Nat Sciver-Brunt. Grace Harris sets the tone early, while Smriti Mandhana follows with a confident pull to find the fence. RCB move to 11/0, with both openers looking intent on keeping the run rate healthy.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru need 155 runs to win.

Nadine de Klerk caps a fine spell by claiming her fourth wicket, removing Nicola Carey for 40 off 29. Carey goes hard at a wide delivery and gets a thick edge, and Hemalatha reacts smartly at short third to complete the catch. A timely double blow for RCB in the final over as MI lose another key batter.

RCB finally get the breakthrough as Nadine de Klerk removes Sajeevan Sajana for 45 off 25. Going for another big hit, Sajana lofts it towards deep mid-off where Smriti Mandhana tracks back calmly to take the catch. It brings an end to a highly entertaining innings that powered MI’s late surge.

Mumbai Indians unleash a late assault in the 19th over, piling on 16 runs against Arundhati Reddy to surge to 149/4. Sajeevan Sajana continues her charge, moving to 45 (24), while Nicola Carey keeps finding gaps to stay in sync. Wides add to RCB’s troubles as MI seize full control heading into the final over.

Mumbai Indians explode in the 17th over, hammering 14 runs as Sajeevan Sajana takes Nadine de Klerk apart with a flurry of boundaries. Sajana dominates the over, repeatedly finding the fence and bringing up a 50-run stand with Nicola Carey. MI move to 126/4, with Sajana racing to 38 off 18, shifting the momentum firmly in Mumbai’s favour heading into the death overs.

Mumbai Indians surge forward as Radha Yadav’s 14th over goes for 15 runs, bringing up 100 for MI Women. Sajeevan Sajana provides the late flourish with a six over long-on followed by a four through mid-wicket, while Nicola Carey chips in with a boundary of her own. A momentum-shifting over as MI look to accelerate in the death phase.

Radha Yadav concedes 6 runs in the 13th over, with both Nicola Carey and Sajeevan Sajana rotating the strike efficiently. Carey picks up 4 runs through gentle nudges and a well-placed two, while Sajana contributes 2 singles, including a chance dropped at mid-wicket. MI move to 80/4, with Carey on 11 (11) and Sajana on 3 (4), keeping the innings alive despite earlier setbacks.

Nadine de Klerk strikes back for RCB, removing Harmanpreet Kaur for 20 off 17. A slower, pitched-up delivery outside off induces an edge, and Richa Ghosh completes the catch behind the stumps. Kaur had looked aggressive with a boundary and a six, but the breakthrough puts RCB back in control as MI lose their second key batter.

Shreyanka Patil makes an immediate impact in the 9th over, dismissing G Kamalini for 32 off 28 with a well-pitched delivery that crashes into the stumps. Before that, Kamalini had added 2 crucial runs, while Harmanpreet Kaur punished the bowler with a massive six over deep extra cover and a couple of singles, keeping Mumbai Indians’ momentum alive. MI pick up 11 runs in the over, but losing Kamalini is a key blow to the batting side.

Shreyanka Patil makes an immediate impact in the 9th over, dismissing G Kamalini for 32 off 28 with a well-pitched delivery that crashes into the stumps. Before that, Kamalini had added 2 crucial runs, while Harmanpreet Kaur punished the bowler with a massive six over deep extra cover and a couple of singles, keeping Mumbai Indians’ momentum alive. MI pick up 11 runs in the over, but losing Kamalini is a key blow to the batting side.

Lauren Bell’s 8th over goes for 8 runs, including a classy four from Harmanpreet Kaur through mid-wicket. Singles and a couple of wides add to the total, helping Mumbai Indians reach the 50-run milestone. Harmanpreet continues to anchor the innings, keeping MI ticking in the middle overs.

Shreyanka Patil starts with back-to-back leg-side wides but MI make the most of the over, collecting 7 runs through smart singles by Harmanpreet Kaur and G Kamalini. No boundaries, but the batters keep the scoreboard ticking as they build their partnership in the middle overs.

Harmanpreet Kaur 2(2) and G Kamalini 27(22) look to stabilize Mumbai Indians innings

Royal Challengers Bengaluru strike immediately after the powerplay as Nadine de Klerk removes Nat Sciver-Brunt. Looking to drive a full delivery, Sciver-Brunt is caught out of her crease, and Richa Ghosh reacts sharply behind the stumps to complete the stumping. Sciver-Brunt departs for 4 off 3, giving RCB a timely breakthrough.

Mumbai Indians finally break free with a productive sixth over, collecting 13 runs off Linsey Smith. G Kamalini continues her confident start with two boundaries, while Nat Sciver-Brunt joins the party with a leg-side four to finish the over. MI move to 34/1 after 6 overs, with Kamalini on 25 (19) and Sciver-Brunt on 4 (2), shifting momentum just as the powerplay ends.

Lauren Bell caps off a superb powerplay spell by finally removing Amelia Kerr, who struggled throughout her stay at the crease. Constantly beaten by movement, Kerr looks to break free but miscues an attempted swing, offering a simple catch to Arundhati Reddy at cover. She departs for 4 off 15, giving RCB a crucial early breakthrough.

Mumbai Indians manage 4 runs from Arundhati Reddy’s over, with Amelia Kerr finally finding some rhythm through the leg side, collecting a couple and a single. G Kamalini adds another run at the end, surviving a brief scare. Not a big over, but MI will take the momentum after a tight start.

Lauren Bell continues to trouble Amelia Kerr, repeatedly beating her outside off with movement through the air. Kerr finally gets off the mark with a single, but Bell closes out another disciplined over, conceding very little and maintaining the early pressure on Mumbai Indians.

G Kamalini gets going in style, opening her account with a boundary and finishing the over with another four. Despite a few dots as Linsey Smith tests her outside off, Kamalini shows intent with crisp strokes through the off side, picking up six runs in the over to ease some early pressure.

Lauren Bell makes an immediate impact, keeping Amelia Kerr quiet with a probing opening over. The ball moves just enough to trouble Kerr, who looks uncomfortable against the pace and bounce. A loud lbw appeal adds to the pressure, but the umpire stays unmoved as Bell finishes with a maiden to set the tone early.

Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are the only two teams to have lifted the WPL trophy. The atmosphere is building at Navi Mumbai as players take their positions. The first delivery is moments away.

Harmanpreet Kaur: Innings – 26, Runs – 851, Average – 40.5, SR – 144, 50s – 8

Smriti Mandhana: Innings – 26, Runs – 646, Average – 24.8, SR – 129, 50s – 4

The match will begin at 7:40 PM IST as the opening ceremony have exceeded beyond its allotted time.

The stadium vibe has shifted into celebration mode after Jacqueline Fernandez’s performance, with Honey Singh and taking centre stage. Starting his set from the dugout, the rapper was flanked by Mumbai Indians captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Smriti Mandhana, creating a striking blend of cricket and entertainment. The crowd is on its feet as music, lights and energy take over ahead of the big clash.

Matches – 7

Matches Won by MI – 4

Matches Won by RCB – 3

Matches – 6, Batting 1st Won – 2, Batting 2nd Won – 4

Average 1st Innings score – 165

Pace: Overs% - 53%, Wickets – 30, Economy – 8.0

Spin: Overs% - 47%, Wickets – 32, Economy – 8.0

Nat Sciver-Brunt, G Kamalini(w), Amelia Kerr, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Amanjot Kaur, Nicola Carey, Poonam Khemnar, Shabnim Ismail, Sanskriti Gupta, Sajeevan Sajana, Saika Ishaque

“We were also looking to bowl first, considering the dew later on. But it’s the first game of the season, so we’ll see how things go. It’s been really good. We’ve been practicing for the last 10 days, and everyone looks in good touch. We’ve got a well-balanced side, pretty similar to what we have had over the last three seasons, so we’re confident heading into the game.”

Smriti Mandhana(c), Grace Harris, Dayalan Hemalatha, Richa Ghosh(w), Radha Yadav, Nadine de Klerk, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Prema Rawat, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell

“We are going to bowl first. Dew plays a huge role at this venue, especially in the second half, and it’s a ground where conditions can change quickly. We want to bowl tight lines early and restrict the opposition. It’s been amazing.”

“The girls have gelled really well. It’s a young group, the overseas players have settled in nicely, and it’s been a fun environment. Everyone’s worked extremely hard, and we’re really excited to get started. We’re going in with six Indian players. Our four overseas players are Grace Harris, Nadine de Klerk, Welch, and Lauren Smith,” she added.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have won the toss and opted to bowl against Mumbai Indians.

“I think the whole RCB squad is very balanced this season. We had a good mega auction. I always tell the team we have to focus on our work ethic. What happens on the field is not in our hands. But the way we have been batting for the last two years, I am sure we will continue that for RCB. I have also been batting well in the last two years and I want to bring that success from international cricket to the WPL. There is no better feeling than winning matches for your team, whichever team you play for. I am really looking forward to doing that,” RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana said while speaking to JioHotstar.

Mumbai Indians captain Harmanpreet Kaur, in a conversation with broadcasters JioHotstar expressed, “You feel pressure in any format, whether it is WPL, international cricket, or domestic matches. You set a high standard for yourself and expect a lot. But the most important thing is to enjoy yourself on the field. Other than taking pressure, I would love to enjoy my game. Winning the Women’s ODI World Cup and the WPL as captain adds extra responsibility to win again. But my main focus as captain is to help the players feel settled and enjoy the game."

Two of the league's most successful sides meet in the curtain-raiser. Harmanpreet Kaur leads Mumbai Indians, the back-to-back title holders, while Smriti Mandhana captains Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the 2024 champions. This blockbuster promises intense competition between India's top batters and a showcase of emerging talent.