The excitement around women’s cricket reaches a new high as the fourth edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 gets underway with a marquee opening encounter. Defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) lock horns with arch-rivals Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in what promises to be a thrilling start to the season.

This high-voltage clash not only opens the WPL 2026 but also sets the tone for teams preparing for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup scheduled later this year.

📅 Match Overview: MI vs RCB

  • Match: Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru

  • Date: January 9, 2026

  • Time: 7:30 PM IST

  • Venue: DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai

The DY Patil Stadium, often referred to as the “home of Indian women’s cricket,” provides the perfect stage for this grand opener, known for its excellent pitch and electric atmosphere.

📺 Where to Watch WPL 2026 Opening Match

Cricket fans can catch all the live action across multiple platforms:

  • Television: Star Sports Network

  • Live Streaming: JioCinema app and official website

Whether at home or on the go, fans won’t miss a moment of this exciting showdown.

🔵 Mumbai Indians (MI) Squad & Strengths

  • Captain: Harmanpreet Kaur

  • Key Players:
    Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amelia Kerr, Hayley Matthews, Amanjot Kaur, Sajeevan Sajana, Shabnim Ismail, Nicola Carey, Saika Ishaque, Milly Illingworth, Sanskriti Gupta, Poonam Khemnar, Triveni Vasistha, Nalla Reddy, Rahil Firdous, Gunalan Kulkarni

🔑 MI’s Strength

Mumbai Indians enter WPL 2026 as strong favourites, boasting a well-balanced squad packed with world-class all-rounders. Under Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership, MI’s depth in both batting and bowling makes them a formidable opponent right from the start.

🔴 Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Squad & Challenge

  • Captain: Smriti Mandhana

  • Key Players:
    Richa Ghosh, Ellyse Perry, Lauren Bell, Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Radha Yadav, Nadine de Klerk, Shreyanka Patil, Georgia Voll, Linsey Smith, Prema Rawat, Gautami Naik, Prathyousha Kumar, Dayalan Hemalatha

⚔️ RCB’s Challenge

RCB, the 2024 WPL champions, will be eager to make a strong statement in the opener. However, the absence of Ellyse Perry is seen as a major setback. Much will depend on skipper Smriti Mandhana’s form and the explosive batting of Richa Ghosh to counter MI’s dominance.

🔍 Key Storylines to Watch

  • 🏆 Champions vs Contenders: Defending champions MI begin their title defense against a determined RCB side.

  • 🌍 World Cup Preparations: Performances here could shape selections and momentum ahead of the T20 World Cup.

  • 🎯 Leadership Battles: Harmanpreet Kaur vs Smriti Mandhana adds an extra layer of intrigue to the contest.

  • 🏟️ Iconic Venue: DY Patil Stadium once again takes center stage in women’s cricket history.

📝 Conclusion

The MI vs RCB opening match of WPL 2026 is more than just a season opener—it’s a celebration of the growth and competitiveness of women’s cricket in India. With star-studded lineups, passionate fan bases, and World Cup aspirations on the line, this clash is set to deliver fireworks and set the benchmark for the rest of the tournament.