The fourth season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) gets underway with a blockbuster clash as Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women take on defending champions Mumbai Indians Women on Friday, January 9, 2026. The high-voltage opener will be played under lights at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai, setting the tone for a season shaped by big auctions and fresh combinations.
Match details
- Match: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Mumbai Indians, Match 1
- Date: Friday, January 9, 2026
- Time: 7:30 PM IST
- Venue: Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai
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Where to watch RCB vs MI, WPL 2026 in India
Indian fans can watch the WPL 2026 opener live on JioHotstar, with streaming also available through OTTplay Premium. The match will be broadcast in multiple languages, catering to a nationwide audience.
Head-to-head record
Mumbai Indians have enjoyed the upper hand in this rivalry overall, but Royal Challengers Bengaluru have often delivered in crunch moments. The most notable example remains RCB’s win over MI in the 2024 Eliminator — a result that still lingers heading into the new season.
Match preview: New season, new challenges
This opening night is about more than early points. It’s an immediate test of squad depth after the November mega auction reshaped most teams.
Mumbai Indians, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, continue to set the benchmark for consistency, having won two titles in three seasons. Their strength lies in a powerful middle order backed by elite all-rounders and a pace-heavy bowling unit.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru, captained by Smriti Mandhana, face a different kind of challenge. For the first time in WPL history, RCB will take the field without Ellyse Perry, who has withdrawn from the 2026 season for personal reasons. Filling that void — tactically and emotionally — will define RCB’s early campaign.
Team news and possible XIs
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
RCB are expected to lean on their new Australian opener Georgia Voll for early momentum, while England quick Lauren Bell adds fresh bite to the bowling attack.
Possible XI: Smriti Mandhana (c), Georgia Voll, Dayalan Hemalatha, Grace Harris, Nadine de Klerk, Richa Ghosh (wk), Pooja Vastrakar, Shreyanka Patil, Arundhati Reddy, Radha Yadav, Lauren Bell.
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Mumbai Indians
MI’s core remains largely unchanged, with Nat Sciver-Brunt and Amelia Kerr continuing to provide balance across departments. The pace of Shabnim Ismail keeps their bowling unit among the most feared in the league.
Possible XI: Hayley Matthews, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Amelia Kerr, Sajeewan Sajana, Pooja Vastrakar, Amanjot Kaur, Shabnim Ismail, Saika Ishaque, Jintimani Kalita.
What to expect
With two powerhouse franchises, fresh squads, and leadership groups under pressure from day one, the WPL 2026 opener promises intensity from the first ball. For MI, it’s about reaffirming dominance. For RCB, it’s a chance to show that life after Perry can still begin with a statement win.
