Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Mumbai Indians, WPL 2026 opener: Preview, when and where to watch in India?
The 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) opens with a thrilling match between defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on January 9, 2026.
Last Updated: 08.01 PM, Jan 07, 2026
The fourth edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) kicks off with a heavyweight clash as the defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) take on the 2024 winners Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). On Friday, January 9, 2026, the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy will witness a battle between the two most popular franchises in the league, each looking to set the tone for a season that follows a massive squad overhaul during the November mega-auction.
Match details
Match: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Mumbai Indians, Match No. 1
Dates: Friday, January 9, 2026.
Venue: 7.30 PM IST
Read Also: Analysis | Which WPL team packs more strength? Squad analysis of every WPL team before WPL 2026
Where can I watch the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Mumbai Indians, WPL 2026 match online?
Cricket fans in India can watch the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Mumbai Indians, WPL 2026 match on JioHotstar via OTTplay Premium.
Head-to-head stats
Historically, Mumbai has dominated this fixture, but RCB has won the "big moments", most notably knocking MI out in the 2024 Eliminator.
Preview
This season-opener is more than just a game; it is a test of depth. Both teams enter the tournament with significantly reshaped squads. Mumbai Indians, under the captaincy of Harmanpreet Kaur, remain the standard-bearers of consistency, having secured two titles in three years. Their philosophy revolves around a "power-packed" middle order and elite all-rounders.
RCB, led by Smriti Mandhana, faces a major emotional and tactical hurdle. For the first time in WPL history, they will be without their "heartbeat," Ellyse Perry, who has withdrawn from the 2026 season for personal reasons.
Mandhana will need her new signings to step up immediately to fill the void left by the tournament’s all-time greatest all-rounder.
Team news & possible XIs
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
The absence of Perry means RCB will rely heavily on their new Australian recruit, Georgia Voll, to provide aggression at the top. The franchise also invested heavily in pace, winning a bidding war for England's Lauren Bell.
Mumbai Indians
MI’s core remains largely intact, led by the "big three" of Harmanpreet, Nat Sciver-Brunt, and Amelia Kerr. Their bowling attack, bolstered by Shabnim Ismail's pace, remains the most feared in the league.