The defending champions, Mumbai Indians, are set for a crucial early-season test as they face the Delhi Capitals in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026. This encounter comes on the heels of a dramatic and disappointing last-ball defeat for MI against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the tournament opener.
A Night to Forget for Mumbai Indians
Mumbai Indians' campaign began with a narrow three-wicket loss to RCB on Friday, January 9, 2026, at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The match ended in heartbreak as South African all-rounder Nadine de Klerk guided RCB to victory with an unbeaten 63 off just 44 balls. Her innings included seven fours and two sixes, turning a near-impossible chase into a reality.
The loss exposed several areas of concern for the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side. Their top-order batting failed to provide a solid foundation, collapsing under pressure. It was only due to a late flourish from Sajana Sajeevan and Nicola Carey that MI posted a competitive total. The troubles continued in the field, where the team was notably clumsy. In a critical penultimate over, the Mumbai fielders gifted de Klerk three reprieves within four deliveries, a lapse that ultimately proved costly.
Captain Kaur's Candid Assessment
Reflecting on the defeat, MI skipper Harmanpreet Kaur pinpointed the final over as the defining moment. She acknowledged de Klerk's ability but rued her team's inability to deliver the required precision under pressure.
"Well, we know that she (de Klerk) has the capacity to score whatever runs are needed in the last over. But yeah, I think we just didn't bowl one good ball, which was needed in the last over," Kaur stated in the post-match presentation. "Sometimes this happens. We gave her two or three chances and when you keep giving a batter chances, they always come back with an even stronger mindset. So yeah, we can't say the last over didn't go our way – we got a few chances, but we missed them."
This was not the first time Kaur had witnessed de Klerk's match-winning prowess. Just three months prior, on October 9, during the Women's World Cup group stage, de Klerk had smashed 84 runs to steer South Africa to victory against Kaur's Indian national team.
Delhi Capitals Enter the Fray
The Delhi Capitals will be playing their first match of the WPL 2026 season. They step onto the field under new leadership, with dynamic Indian batter Jemimah Rodrigues taking over the captaincy. This fresh start brings its own set of expectations and challenges as DC looks to make an immediate impact in the tournament.
The stage is set for a compelling clash on Saturday, January 10, 2026, again at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. For Mumbai Indians, the focus will be on a swift turnaround. They must address their batting fragility and sharpen their fielding to avoid a second consecutive loss. The Delhi Capitals, meanwhile, will aim to capitalize on any lingering uncertainty in the MI camp and start their season on a winning note.
Key points to watch include:
- Can Mumbai's top order find stability?
- Will Harmanpreet Kaur's leadership inspire a quick recovery?
- How will Jemimah Rodrigues fare in her new role as DC captain?
