Sajeevan Sajana top-scored with a counter-attacking 45 off 25 balls and made the most of being dropped twice early on as Mumbai Inddigihunt (MI) posted a competitive 154/6 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the opening match of the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) at the Dr. DY Patil Stadium.
Early Struggles for MI
On a tacky pitch, incisive new-ball spells by Lauren Bell, Linsey, and Nadine de Klerk had reduced the defending champions to 67/4 after 11 overs. However, Sajana’s 82-run stand off 49 balls with Nicola Carey, who scored 40, pushed MI beyond the 150-mark. For RCB, Nadine claimed impressive figures of 4-22, leaving MI needing 155 to win, with dew expected to aid their chase.
Key Bowling Performances
Lauren delivered a superb opening spell, giving RCB the early edge. The England pacer bowled a brilliant maiden first over and consistently troubled Amelia Kerr with outswingers and fuller length balls before finally dismissing her for a scratchy four off 15 balls.
Lauren’s short-of-the-length delivery outside off-stump forced a desperate Amelia into a mistimed swipe, which was caught by extra cover. G. Kamalini kept MI going by hitting Linsey Smith for boundaries twice and then driving Lauren for another four.
Crucial Wickets for RCB
When Linsey returned, Kamalini quickly pulled and swept her for boundaries, as 13 runs came off the final Power-play over. However, RCB struck a critical blow when Richa Ghosh’s sharp glovework stumped Nat Sciver-Brunt for just four.
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur attempted to steady the innings, hitting a boundary through midwicket and lofting another over extra cover. But Shreyanka Patil made her mark on her WPL comeback when Kamalini chopped onto her stumps for 32 while trying to sweep.
Harmanpreet’s dismissal compounded MI’s troubles as she nicked a length delivery outside off-stump from Nadine while attempting to hit an expansive cover drive. RCB could have claimed another wicket if Dayalan Hemalatha and later substitute fielder Sayali Satghare hadn’t dropped Sajana’s catch.
Sajana’s Explosive Finish
This proved costly as Sajana lofted and slogged Radha Yadav for six and four, while Nicola Carey slashed off her for another boundary. More runs flowed from Sajana’s bat as she pulled and lofted Arundhati Reddy for consecutive fours.
Despite Nadine’s return, Sajana continued her onslaught, slashing and whipping for more boundaries before pulling through the gap. Nicola, meanwhile, reverse-swept Shreyanka for four before going over Arundhati’s head for another boundary. Although Sajana and Nicola were caught out in the final over off Nadine, MI managed to surpass the 150-run mark.
Brief Scores:
Mumbai Inddigihunt 154/6 in 20 overs (Sajeevan Sajana 45, Nicola Carey 40; Nadine de Klerk 4-26, Lauren Bell 1-14) against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.