The much-anticipated fourth season of the Women's Premier League (WPL) explodes into action today, Friday, January 9, 2026. The grand opening features a blockbuster clash between the defending champions, Mumbai Indians, and the formidable Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The Dr. DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai is set to host this electrifying encounter under the lights, promising a spectacle of power-hitting, fierce bowling, and high-octane rivalry.
Star-Studded Showdown Sets the Stage
The stage is perfectly set for a thrilling start to the tournament. Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the Mumbai Indians, a team brimming with confidence after successfully defending their title in 2025. Their momentum is further boosted by India's recent triumph in the Women's ODI World Cup, where several key players were instrumental.
Standing in their way is the Smriti Mandhana-captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru, a side eager to dethrone the champions and claim the coveted trophy. The match is scheduled for a 7:30 PM IST start, following a glamorous opening ceremony packed with celebrity performances to kick off the season in style.
Pitch Report and Match Conditions
The surface at the DY Patil Stadium is traditionally known to be a good batting wicket, offering consistent bounce which allows stroke-makers to play their shots freely. Historically, it has produced competitive totals in the range of 150 to 160 runs. However, the significant factor could be the dew setting in later in the evening, which often makes gripping the ball difficult for bowlers. This condition typically makes chasing a target more advantageous, and captains will likely consider this heavily during the toss.
Squad Strength: A Look at the Line-Ups
Both teams boast a powerful mix of international superstars and exciting Indian talent. The squads for the opening fixture are as follows:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women Squad: Smriti Mandhana (c), Georgia Voll, Gautami Naik, Grace Harris, Richa Ghosh (w), Nadine de Klerk, Pooja Vastrakar, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil, Arundhati Reddy, Lauren Bell, Kumar Prathyoosha, Sayali Satghare, Prema Rawat, Dayalan Hemalatha, Linsey Smith.
Mumbai Indians Women Squad: Hayley Matthews, G Kamalini (w), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Amelia Kerr, Amanjot Kaur, Sajeevan Sajana, Poonam Khemnar, Sanskriti Gupta, Shabnim Ismail, Triveni Vasistha, Nalla Reddy, Rahila Firdous, Milly Illingworth, Saika Ishaque, Nicola Carey.
This opening match is more than just a game; it's a statement of intent for the entire WPL 2026 season. With two of the most popular and successful franchises locking horns, fans can expect a display of top-tier women's cricket that will set the tone for the exciting weeks of competition ahead.
