by Women’s Premier League Season 4 (WPL 2026) starts on January 9 with Match 1 between Mumbai Indians Women and Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women, as the defending champions, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, take on the former one-time WPL winners, captained once again by Smriti Mandhana.
This opening clash of WPL 2026 will be played at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai, and a packed crowd is expected as both teams are loaded with highly popular international stars like Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, Amelia Kerr, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Grace Harris, and Richa Ghosh.
Match info
- Tournament: Women’s Premier League Season 4
- Home Team: Mumbai Indians Women
- Away Team: Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women
- Venue: Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai
- Date: January 9, 2026, Friday
- Start Time: 7:30 PM IST
Squads details of both teams
After the WPL Mega Auction held in November 2025, both Mumbai Indians Women and Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women have undergone a complete overhaul in terms of team combinations, with several exciting new faces joining the core group of each franchise.
Mumbai Indians Women Squad: Hayley Matthews, G Kamalini (w), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Amelia Kerr, Amanjot Kaur, Sajeevan Sajana, Poonam Khemnar, Sanskriti Gupta, Shabnim Ismail, Triveni Vasistha, Nalla Reddy, Rahila Firdous, Milly Illingworth, Saika Ishaque, Nicola Carey.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women Squad: Smriti Mandhana (c), Georgia Voll, Gautami Naik, Grace Harris, Richa Ghosh (w), Nadine de Klerk, Pooja Vastrakar, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil, Arundhati Reddy, Lauren Bell, Kumar Prathyoosha, Sayali Satghare, Prema Rawat, Dayalan Hemalatha, Linsey Smith.
Pitch report: Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai
The pitch at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai generally favours batters, offering good bounce and consistent pace, while pacers can extract movement and carry in the first half of the innings. South African soil has been used on this surface, which further helps fast bowlers get extra bounce and carry, especially with the new ball.
In T20s at this venue, chasing has often been a smart choice, as teams batting second tend to have a slight advantage, and with winter conditions in India, dew is likely to play a significant role after 9:00 PM IST, making bowling tougher later on.
Who will win WPL Season 4 Match 1 between MIW and RCBW?
The odds will slightly favour the home side, Mumbai Indians Women, as their core looks stronger on paper compared to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women, who will be starting their campaign without their biggest match-winner, Ellyse Perry.
New additions like Grace Harris and Lauren Bell will need to step up in a big way if RCB Women are to seriously challenge the Harmanpreet Kaur-led defending champions, but as far as prediction goes, Mumbai Indians Women are expected to win Match 1 of WPL 2026.
Where to watch WPL 2026 Match 1 between MIW and RCBW in India
In India, viewers will be able to watch WPL 2026 Match 1 between Mumbai Indians Women and Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women live on Star Sports Network TV channels, with a simultaneous digital live stream available on the JioHotstar OTT platform.
Note: To watch Match 1 of WPL Season 4 live on the JioHotstar app, viewers will need to purchase a premium subscription, which is available in monthly, quarterly, or annual plans as per preference.
For more such updates related to Women’s Premier League Season 4, keep checking this website, and if you have any questions about Match 1 between MIW and RCBW, feel free to drop a comment below.
