Navi Mumbai, Jan 10 (NationPress) The former captain of India, Mithali Raj, has praised the significant partnership between Nadine de Klerk and Arundhati Reddy, which served as the foundation for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's exciting win over Mumbai Indians in the opening match of the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 held in Navi Mumbai.

Nadine de Klerk smashed an impressive 63 not out off 44 balls, while Arundhati added 20 runs from 23 balls, creating a crucial 52-run partnership. This victory marked a successful start for RCB in the tournament they claimed in 2024. They rallied from a challenging position of 67/5 right after the Power-play, with the South African all-rounder clinching the win.

The fourth season of the WPL commenced with an exhilarating finish, as de Klerk scored 20 runs in the final four balls against the Mumbai Indians during the match at the DY Patil Stadium on Friday night.

Raj stated on JioStar, "The alliance between Nadine de Klerk and Arundhati Reddy significantly turned the game around for RCB. This is precisely the kind of thrilling start we anticipated for WPL Season 4, and it certainly met expectations.”

She further commented, “Throughout the match, we discussed our desire for a nail-biting finish, one that would keep everyone on the edge of their seats, and it truly delivered until the last ball. There were many moments when RCB had the Mumbai Indians under pressure. For a significant portion of the first innings, up until the 15th over, RCB maintained control by taking early wickets and disrupting the MI top order. Nevertheless, that pressure eased during the final five overs. Despite losing some wickets early on, RCB began strongly in the Power-play.”

On the partnership between Nadine de Klerk and Arundhati Reddy, Mithali remarked, “Nadine possesses a profound understanding of her game and consistently produces these impactful innings, which highlights her exceptional quality and skill. The synergy with Arundhati Reddy is vital; it wasn’t solely about Nadine enduring until the end. She required a strong supporting player, and Arundhati excelled in that role. Their partnership allowed Nadine to play such a pivotal innings. Without that collaboration, she could have been dismissed much earlier. Thanks to that alliance, Nadine was able to extend the game and take it to the last over.”

Katey Martin also assessed de Klerk’s match-winning performance, noting that the all-rounder had the confidence to clear the boundaries.

“There was clear intent in how Nadine approached her innings. She trusts her ability to clear the ropes, and that self-assurance is vital. We’ve often discussed the significance of Nadine de Klerk. Her bowling was exceptional in the first innings; she was fully aware of what worked from a bowler’s perspective, and she carried that understanding into her batting,” Martin explained.

“She delivered something remarkable under pressure and was likely the only player who remained composed throughout the day. In critical situations like these, it comes down to who can manage the most intense pressure, and we’ve seen Nadine perform in such scenarios before. She’s built up that confidence over the past 18 months,” Martin concluded.

“Moreover, when someone is in form at the other end, it’s easy to lose focus, but Arundhati Reddy handled that exceptionally well. Her contributions, particularly the two boundaries, including the four off the last ball of the penultimate over to bring Nadine back on strike, were pivotal in the match,” she added.

While RCB enjoys a day off on Saturday, the Mumbai Indians will return to the DY Patil Stadium for their second consecutive match against Delhi Capitals in the opening double-header of the season.