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The fourth edition of the officially launched today, January 9, 2026, at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai with a high-stakes encounter between two heavyweights. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Smriti Mandhana won the toss and elected to field first, identifying the heavy dew as a critical factor that would favor the chasing side.
The season opener is marked by a massive shift in team dynamics, with both sides missing iconic veterans and blooding new talent. RCB has entered the fray with a bold, all-rounder-heavy lineup featuring six debutants, including high-profile overseas recruits like Grace Harris and Lauren Bell. Meanwhile, the defending champions, , are looking to maintain their dominance despite being forced into late changes to their core combination. The atmosphere at the stadium remains electric as the league embarks on a new chapter, following a glamorous opening ceremony that celebrated the ‘Unstoppable Rise’ of women’s cricket.
WPL 2026, MI vs RCB: Reason behind the star all-rounder’s Hayley Matthews’ absence
In a significant blow to the defending champions just moments before the toss, Mumbai revealed that their star West Indian all-rounder Hayley Matthews would miss the opening clash. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur confirmed that Matthews, who has been the ‘engine’ of MI’s success over the past three seasons, was ruled out after falling unwell.
Her absence forced a tactical reshuffle, leading to a maiden WPL cap for Australian all-rounder Nicola Carey, who steps in to provide balance with her seam bowling and middle-order batting. Beyond her cricketing contributions, Matthews’ presence at the top of the order is a major miss for Mumbai, as she was instrumental in both of their previous title wins. The team management expressed hope for her quick recovery, but for the opening night, the onus shifted to the remaining veteran core of Nat Sciver-Brunt and Amelia Kerr to fill the massive void left by the Caribbean superstar.
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WPL 2026: RCB’s new look and MI’s teenage sensation
The opening match has become a platform for a new generation, most notably featuring the debut of teenage sensation G Kamalini for Mumbai. The Under-19 World Cup winner and recent India debutant has been thrust into the spotlight, slotted to open the innings alongside the experienced Nat Sciver-Brunt. On the opposite side, the Ellyse Perry-less RCB, with Perry notably pulling out of the season due to personal reasons, has undergone a total transformation.
They handed out six debuts, including overseas stars Harris, Bell and Linsey Smith, alongside Indian recruits like Radha Yadav and D Hemalatha. RCB’s lineup is uniquely structured, loaded with five all-rounders but appearing light on traditional batting depth, leaving Richa Ghosh with the heavy responsibility of anchoring the middle order at No. 4. With so many fresh faces on both sides, the season opener is less about past rivalries and more about which new-look squad can adapt to the pressure of the big stage first.
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This article was first published at , a Cricket Times company.
