The 2026 edition of the Women's Premier League kicked off with a high-voltage clash that saw Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) snatch a dramatic victory from the defending champions, Mumbai Indians. In a match that went down to the final over, it was the South African all-rounder Nadine de Klerk who emerged as the undisputed hero, steering her team to a five-wicket win in a tense chase at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Thursday, January 9, 2026.
De Klerk's Composed Finish Seals the Deal
Chasing a competitive target of 159 set by Mumbai Indians, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru innings was built on crucial partnerships. After the early loss of Smriti Mandhana, the middle order steadied the ship. However, the game tilted in Mumbai's favour during the middle overs, leaving RCB needing a strong finish.
This is where Nadine de Klerk took centre stage. Walking in at a pressure situation, the Proteas star played a calculated and unbeaten knock of 43 runs from just 24 balls. Her innings was laced with five boundaries and one six, but it was her temperament that stood out. She expertly farmed the strike when needed and found the gaps with precision, ensuring the required run rate never spiralled out of control.
The climax arrived in the final over bowled by Mumbai's star pacer, Shabnim Ismail. With 10 runs needed off 6 balls, de Klerk kept her cool. She smashed a crucial boundary and, with support from the lower order, secured the winning runs with two balls to spare, sending the Bengaluru crowd into a frenzy.
A Bowling Performance That Set the Stage
De Klerk's match-winning contribution was not limited to her bat. Earlier, she had played a pivotal role with the ball to restrict the powerful Mumbai Indians batting lineup. Put in to bat first, Mumbai Indians got off to a flier thanks to their openers. Yet, RCB's bowlers fought back admirably in the second half of the innings.
Nadine de Klerk was the pick of the bowlers for RCB, finishing with impressive figures of 2 wickets for 28 runs in her 4 overs. She broke a dangerous-looking partnership and applied the brakes during the death overs. Her disciplined bowling, combined with tight spells from other RCB bowlers, ensured Mumbai Indians finished at 158 for 6, a total that seemed par but ultimately proved insufficient.
Implications for the WPL 2026 Season
This opening-day victory is a massive morale booster for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru franchise, which has been building a strong squad over the previous seasons. Beating the defending champions, Mumbai Indians, in such a close contest sends a strong message to the rest of the league.
The match also highlighted the growing depth and international flavour of the Women's Premier League. While Indian stars like Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur (for Mumbai) were in focus, it was an overseas player, Nadine de Klerk, who dictated the outcome with a complete all-round performance. This sets the tone for what promises to be a highly competitive and unpredictable season.
For Mumbai Indians, the loss is an early setback, but with their experienced squad, they are expected to bounce back strongly. The match proved that no total is safe in the WPL, and the importance of holding nerve in crunch situations cannot be overstated.
The WPL 2026 has begun with a bang, and if the opening game is any indication, fans are in for a season full of thrilling last-over finishes and individual brilliance.
