Mumbai Indians Women vs RCB Women Prediction & Match Preview – WPL 1st Match

Women's Premier League

The 2026 Women’s Premier League starts with a meeting of two title winners. Mumbai Indians, a two-time champion, have kept Hayley Matthews and Nat Sciver-Brunt at the top of the order. With Yastika Bhatia unavailable, Matthews needs a new opening partner, and Amelia Kerr is a strong candidate. Sciver-Brunt should bat at three, Harmanpreet Kaur anchors the middle order and Amanjot Kaur is expected at five, while Nicola Carey and Kerr compete as bowling all-rounders.

Shabnim Ismail and Sciver-Brunt are set to lead the attack, with Matthews offering steady support, and Sanjeevan Sanjana and Sanskriti Gupta provide help lower down. The overseas contingent gives the side depth and flexibility.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru, captained by Smriti Mandhana, won the 2024 title and have made major squad changes. Without Ellyse Perry they need a dependable number three, with Georgia Voll and Grace Harris the leading options, while Richa Ghosh remains a key finisher at four. Pooja Vastrakar and Shreyanka Patil will matter with bat and ball, and Lauren Bell or Linsey Smith could join Radha Yadav and Arundhati Reddy in the bowling mix.

Probable playing XI

Mumbai Indians Women

Amelia Kerr
Hayley Matthews
Nat Sciver-Brunt
Harmanpreet Kaur (c)
Sajeevan Sajana
Amanjot Kaur
Poonam Khemnar
G Kamalini (wk)
Sanskriti Gupta
Shabnim Ismail
Saika Ishaque

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women

Dayalan Hemalatha
Smriti Mandhana (c)
Grace Harris
Richa Ghosh (wk)
Nadine de Klerk
Georgia Voll
Pooja Vastrakar
Shreyanka Patil
Lauren Bell
Arundhati Reddy
Radha Yadav

Pitch report

The Dr DY Patil Sports Academy has a reputation for a batting-friendly surface with steady bounce, good for stroke play and high-scoring limited-overs games. Seamers can get some help with the new ball, especially under lights, but the pitch flattens out and partnerships become easier to build. Spinners come into the picture in the middle overs as it slows slightly. T20s here often produce totals of around 160–170, and chasing sides have done reasonably well, with light dew possible. Teams with batting depth usually hold the advantage.

Weather

Warm and mostly dry conditions are expected at the 7:30 pm local start, with partly cloudy skies and temperatures of about 26–27°C. Rain is very unlikely in January, winds should be light to moderate, and humidity may be noticeable but no weather threat is forecast.

Expected scores

1st innings: 155–170
2nd innings: 150–165

Frequently asked questions

Who is expected to win Mumbai Indians Women vs RCB Women?

Our preview favours Mumbai Indians Women, thanks to their retained top order and all-round depth.

What do we know about the head-to-head record?

Last season the two sides split their meetings 1-1. Mumbai have won the WPL twice, while Royal Challengers won the 2024 title.

Where is the opening match played?

At Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai on 9 January 2026, starting at 7:30 pm local time.

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