Mumbai Indians Women vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women WPL 1st Match Prediction, Betting Insights and Who will win today’s Match?

The Women’s Premier League 2026 kicks off with a blockbuster clash at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, on January 9th. Defending champions Mumbai Indians take on 2024 winners Royal Challengers Bengaluru in what promises to be an enthralling contest. Let’s break down with expert analysis, team performance, betting insights and MIW vs RCW WPL 1st Match Prediction. Who will win today’s WPL Match?

Team Performance

Mumbai Indians

Mumbai are coming off their second WPL title, having beaten Delhi Capitals by 8 runs in the WPL 2025 final. Their consistency across three seasons speaks volumes – they won the inaugural edition in 2023, finished runners-up in 2024, and reclaimed the crown in 2025.

The numbers tell the story of their dominance. In WPL 2025, captain Harmanpreet Kaur (66 in the final) led from the front when it mattered most. Nat Sciver-Brunt was phenomenal – she became the first player to cross 1000 WPL runs, won both the Orange Cap (523 runs) and MVP award. She’s averaged 46.68 with a strike rate of 141.85 across 29 WPL innings. Amelia Kerr claimed the Purple Cap with 18 wickets, while Hayley Matthews provides that explosive all-round capability.

Their squad remains largely intact for 2026. They’ve retained their core – Sciver-Brunt (₹3.5cr), Harmanpreet (₹2.5cr), Matthews (₹1.75cr), Amanjot Kaur, and young G Kamalini. They’ve successfully bought back Amelia Kerr for ₹3cr and added pace firepower in Shabnim Ismail. The depth is remarkable – Sajana, Nicola Carey, Saika Ishaque all provide quality options.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

RCB face a different reality. After winning the 2024 title, they had a disastrous WPL 2025 campaign – started 2-0 but then lost five straight matches, finishing bottom of the table and missing playoffs. More concerning, they’ve lost Ellyse Perry (withdrew due to personal reasons), who was their highest run-scorer and fourth-highest wicket-taker in WPL history.

However, there are positives. Smriti Mandhana comes in red-hot form after finishing second-highest run-scorer (434 runs) in the ODI World Cup 2025 and recently smashed 80 against Sri Lanka in T20Is. Richa Ghosh (625 WPL runs at SR 150.96) is one of the most destructive middle-order batters. They’ve built what coach Malolan Rangarajan calls “the best bowling unit available” – Lauren Bell, Arundhati Reddy, Nadine de Klerk provide pace options, while Radha Yadav and Shreyanka Patil handle spin.

The additions of Grace Harris and Georgia Voll add firepower, but there’s a glaring concern – lack of proven Indian batting depth behind Mandhana. Gautami Naik is untested at this level, and Dayalan Hemalatha hasn’t really fired in her limited WPL opportunities.

MIW vs RCBW Today’s Match Weather Condition:

• Temperature: 28.3°C
• Humidity: 55%
• Rain: 0% Rain of chance
• Wind direction: N
• Wind speed: 23.8KPH

Also, check live WPL Match betting odds on trusted cricket betting sites.

MIW vs RCBW Today’s Match Pitch Report & Condition

The pitch at Brabourne Stadium is generally pretty good for batting once batters settle in. Fast bowlers might find some early movement with the new ball, but after the power play it becomes easier to score. Spinners get some help as the pitch slows down during the middle overs, but overall it’s a batting-friendly surface. In Women’s T20Is here, the average first innings score sits around 165-170.

The big factor though is dew. It’s winter in Mumbai, and evening matches see heavy dew settling in during the second innings. That makes gripping the ball tough for bowlers and significantly favours chasing. The stats back this up – five out of seven Women’s T20Is here have been won by teams batting second.

Expect both captains to bowl first if they win the toss. The boundaries aren’t massive either (shortest is 48m, longest 66m), so clearing them isn’t too difficult once you’re set. Whoever bats second will fancy their chances.

MIW vs RCBW – Probable Playing XI (WPL 1st Match 2026)

RCBW – Probable XI

Smriti Mandhana (Captain), Georgia Voll, Gautami Naik, Grace Harris, Richa Ghosh (Wicketkeeper), Nadine de Klerk, Pooja Vastrakar, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav, Prema Rawat or Arundhati Reddy, Lauren Bell.

MI Women – Playing XI

Hayley Matthews, G Kamilini (Wicketkeeper), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Amelia Kerr, Amanjot Kaur, S Sajana, Poonam Khemnar, Sanskriti Gupta, Shabnim Ismail, Triveni Vasistha.

WPL Betting Insights for MIW vs RCBW WPL 1st Match 2026

• Who will win the toss Today: RCBW won the toss and elect to Bowl first.
• Top Batter Performance: Smriti Mandhana
• Top Bowler Performance: Shreyanka Patil
• Today’s WPL betting tips: Team Chasing are safe bet to play today’s WPL 1st match 2026.

WPL match Prediction: Team Chasing are favourites to win today’s WPL 1st Match 2026.