Navi Mumbai, Jan 9 (NationPress) In a thrilling encounter, Nadine de Klerk delivered an extraordinary late-game performance that propelled Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to a sensational three-wicket victory over the reigning champions, Mumbai Indians (MI), during the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) kickoff at the DY Patil Stadium on Friday.

After claiming 4-26 and assisting RCB in restricting MI to 154/6, the seam-bowling all-rounder unleashed a remarkable unbeaten 63 off 44 balls, featuring an explosive 20 runs from the final four deliveries—two fours and two sixes—to clinch the match on the very last ball.

Stepping into bat at 63/4, Nadine maintained her composure and translated her World Cup form into a stellar innings that dramatically reversed the game's momentum. Her fearless hitting in tense moments, coupled with three fortuitous reprieves in the 19th over, ensured RCB commenced the season with an exhilarating win, setting the stage for a tournament filled with intensity and excitement.

The chase ignited with Grace Harris striking Nat Sciver-Brunt for a boundary on the very first ball, followed by Smriti Mandhana adding another four. After both players accumulated four runs off Shabnim Ismail, Grace persisted in her assault, hitting a six and a four off Nicola Carey, while Smriti added two more boundaries, propelling RCB to 40/0 within three overs.

However, Shabnim's disciplined bowling turned the tide as she broke through in her second over, dismissing Smriti for 18 with a misplayed drive. Grace soon followed suit, getting caught at long-on off Nat. RCB's innings faced further setbacks when Dayalan Hemalatha attempted a flick shot off Amanjot Kaur, only to be trapped lbw, and Radha Yadav fell victim to a stunning googly from Amelia Kerr.

In a swift succession, Amelia claimed her second WPL wicket by enticing Richa Ghosh into an ambitious drive that was caught at long-off. Arundhati Reddy, after hitting a cut shot off Amanjot Kaur, narrowly escaped an lbw call from Amelia, which replays confirmed was going over the stumps.

Nadine's fireworks began when she lofted Nat over long-off for four, followed by striking Saika Ishaque for consecutive boundaries. She then belted another four off Nicola before the bowler interrupted the 52-run partnership by dismissing Arundhati and then cleaning up Shreyanka Patil.

The tension peaked when Nat dropped Nadine's catch off Shabnim at the start of the 19th over. To add to the drama, Nadine struck a boundary down the ground. More excitement ensued as Amelia dropped Nadine at deep mid-wicket, and Kamalini's fumbled run-out attempt dislodged the stumps.

With 11 runs scored in the 19th over, Nadine kept RCB's hopes alive by lofting Nat over long-off for six, followed by a pull for four. She reached her fifty with a powerful slog over the mid-wicket fence for six, ultimately sealing a breathtaking win for RCB by lifting a misdirected yorker from Nat over her head for six, leaving the defending champions in disbelief.

Earlier in the match, Sajeevan Sajana top-scored for MI with a brisk 45 off 25 balls, capitalizing on two early drops as MI struggled to reach 154/6. On a tricky pitch, Lauren Bell's incisive opening spell and Nadine's later 4-22 reduced the champions to 67/4 after 11 overs.

However, Sajana's partnership with Nicola, which yielded 82 runs off 49 balls, pushed MI beyond the 150-mark. Lauren's exceptional opening spell gave RCB the initial edge, as she bowled a maiden first over and consistently troubled Amelia Kerr, eventually dismissing her for a mere four runs off 15 balls.

Lauren's well-placed delivery outside off-stump forced a mistimed swipe from Amelia, resulting in a top-edge caught by extra cover. G Kamalini kept the innings afloat with powerful punches off Linsey Smith, while also driving Lauren for another four.

Upon Linsey's return, Kamalini quickly responded by pulling and sweeping for boundaries, amassing 13 runs in the final power-play over. Yet, RCB struck back, as Richa Ghosh's quick glovework stumped Nat Sciver-Brunt for only four runs.

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur tried to stabilize the innings, striking a boundary through midwicket before lofting another over extra cover. However, Shreyanka Patil made her presence felt on her WPL return, dismissing Kamalini for 32 while attempting a sweep shot.

Harmanpreet's wicket amplified MI's challenges as she nicked a length delivery from Nadine, trying for an expansive cover drive. RCB could have claimed another wicket had Dayalan and substitute fielder Sayali Satghare not dropped Sajana's catch.

This proved costly as Sajana smashed Radha Yadav for six and four, while Nicola also found the boundary. Despite Nadine's return, Sajana continued her onslaught with boundaries, contributing to MI's total before they fell short of a win.

Final Scores:

Mumbai Indians: 154/6 in 20 overs (Sajeevan Sajana 45, Nicola Carey 40; Nadine de Klerk 4-26, Lauren Bell 1-14) lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 157/7 in 20 overs (Nadine de Klerk 63 not out, Grace Harris 25; Amelia Kerr 2-13, Nicola Carey 2-35) by three wickets.