The Women's Premier League 2026 kicked off with a heart-stopping thriller as Royal Challengers Bengaluru, powered by a phenomenal all-round performance from South Africa's Nadine de Klerk, snatched a stunning victory from the jaws of defeat against the Mumbai Indians at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Friday night.
De Klerk's Redemption Act Seals Impossible Chase
In a dramatic twist of fate, the very venue where Nadine de Klerk's World Cup dreams were shattered months earlier became the stage for her redemption. Chasing a competitive target, RCB found themselves in a dire situation, needing 29 runs from the final 12 balls. With the match hanging in the balance, it was the South African all-rounder who single-handedly engineered a miraculous heist.
The climax was pure drama. With 18 required off the final over bowled by Nat Sciver-Brunt, de Klerk held her nerve after two dot balls. She then unleashed a breathtaking assault, smashing a six over long-off, a four through square leg, another massive six over midwicket, and finally sealed the win with a four down the ground. Her unbeaten 63 runs came off just 44 deliveries, decorated with seven fours and two crucial sixes.
"We saw what she did in Vizag, where she pulled it off against us," a relieved RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana recalled after the match, highlighting de Klerk's known finishing prowess.
Catches Win Matches: MI's Costly Errors
The victory was as much about RCB's grit as it was about Mumbai Indians' uncharacteristic fielding lapses at crucial junctures. De Klerk was given not one, but three reprieves in the tense death overs. Nat Sciver-Brunt dropped a straightforward catch at long-off in the 19th over, a mistake that would prove catastrophic. Two balls later, Amelia Kerr spilled another chance at deep midwicket.
The errors continued as a direct hit from Amanjot Kaur found de Klerk short of her ground, but wicketkeeper G Kamalini fumbled the collection. These missed opportunities allowed the RCB batter to stay at the crease and complete the stunning chase. A rueful Harmanpreet Kaur summed it up: "Just needed one good ball in the last over."
De Klerk's heroics were not limited to her bat. Earlier, she had been instrumental with the ball, registering brilliant figures of 4 for 26 in her four overs to restrict Mumbai Indians' batting charge, making her the undisputed Player of the Match.
Sajana's Grit and Kerr's Brilliance in Vain
For Mumbai Indians, Sajana Sajeevan's resilient knock provided the backbone of their innings. Coming in at a precarious 67/4, she was also dropped twice early in her innings. The Kerala all-rounder, known for making the most of her chances, punished RCB by smashing a rapid 45 off just 25 balls, her highest score in the WPL, to propel her team to a fighting total.
New Zealand star Amelia Kerr had a night of extreme contrasts. Struggling to score initially, she was dismissed for just 4 off 15 balls. However, she showcased her world-class bowling talent by striking twice in her very first over, including the big wicket of the dangerous Richa Ghosh, to finish with excellent figures of 2 for 13. Yet, her dropped catch in the penultimate over ultimately overshadowed her bowling effort.
The electrifying opener has set a high bar for the season, promising more edge-of-the-seat action as the Women's Premier League 2026 progresses.
