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The Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 kicks off today with an electrifying clash between defending champions Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Dr. DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. This season opener promises high drama, star power, and intense rivalry as two powerhouse teams battle under the lights.
The much-awaited fourth edition of the Women's Premier League begins on January 9, 2026, with a blockbuster showdown. Harmanpreet Kaur's Mumbai Indians, fresh from their 2025 title defense and riding the wave of India's recent Women's ODI World Cup victory, take on Smriti Mandhana-led Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The match at DY Patil Stadium starts at 7:30 PM IST, following an exciting opening ceremony featuring celebrity performances.
Pitch and conditions at DY Patil
The surface is batter-friendly with reliable bounce, often producing scores around 150-160. Dew could make chasing easier, influencing the toss decision.
Full Squads:
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
9 Jan 2026, 06:33:30 PM IST
MI vs RCB LIVE Score, WPL 2026: Harmanpreet Kaur ahead of the match
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."
9 Jan 2026, 06:31:06 PM IST
Hello
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.
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