WPL 2026: RCB Chooses to Field First Against MI Champions
In an important Women’s Premier League (WPL) match, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) faced off against the Mumbai Indians (MI) in Vadodara. RCB captain Smriti Mandhana won the toss and chose to bowl first against the defending champions.
Match Context and Standings
As of January 26, RCB had secured five wins and one loss, positioning themselves well for the playoffs. This success came despite a recent defeat to the Delhi Capitals. On the other hand, MI struggled with just two wins and four losses, placing them fourth in the standings. They must win their remaining matches to have any hopes of making the playoffs.
Toss Insights from the Captains
During the toss, Mandhana emphasized the importance of understanding the pitch conditions. She noted that dew had been a significant factor in Vadodara. “It’s essential to know what to expect from the wicket,” she stated. RCB aimed to rectify mistakes from their previous loss, focusing on quick assessments of match situations.
MI captain Harmanpreet Kaur, while initially wanting to bowl first, acknowledged the match’s significance. She stressed the need for a positive attitude. “Playing positively is key today,” Kaur added. MI made one change to their lineup, with Amelia Kerr returning in place of the injured Nicola Carey.
Teams Lineup
The playing XI for both teams were as follows:
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru:
- Grace Harris
- Smriti Mandhana (c)
- Georgia Voll
- Gautami Naik
- Richa Ghosh (w)
- Radha Yadav
- Nadine de Klerk
- Arundhati Reddy
- Sayali Satghare
- Shreyanka Patil
- Lauren Bell
- Mumbai Indians:
- Sajeevan Sajana
- Hayley Matthews
- Nat Sciver-Brunt
- Harmanpreet Kaur (c)
- Amelia Kerr
- Rahila Firdous (w)
- Amanjot Kaur
- Sanskriti Gupta
- Vaishnavi Sharma
- Shabnim Ismail
- Poonam Khemnar
As the match progresses, both teams are eager to exploit the conditions and secure a pivotal victory. RCB aims to solidify their top position, while MI seeks to keep their playoff hopes alive.
