The slogan of the inaugural Women’s Premier League was “Pehchaan,” aimed at giving women cricketers their identity. By the fourth season of the WPL, the picture has changed dramatically. Today, the world knows players like Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana. Just two months ago, they were teammates. After winning the World Cup for the country for the first time, they were celebrated across India. But from Friday, for the next month, they became rivals.
In the very first match of the WPL, two World Cup winners faced each other. Cricket fans witnessed a neck-and-neck contest right at the start of the tournament. In a match that swung like a pendulum, Nadine de Klerk produced a brilliant all-round performance to guide Royal Challengers Bangalore to a three-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians.
Ahead of the match, a grand opening ceremony was held at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. From Jacqueline Fernandez’s dance to Honey Singh’s rap, thousands of spectators were treated to a spectacular show. After winning the toss in such a high-profile clash, RCB captain Smriti Mandhana opted to bowl first.
Mumbai struggled early against RCB’s disciplined bowling. England star Lauren Bell bowled a maiden in the very first over. Gunanan Kamalini looked promising, but opener Amelia Kerr was dismissed for just 4. Natalie Sciver-Brunt also failed to make an impact, scoring only 4. Kamalini, after getting set, was out for 32. Harmanpreet Kaur tried to steady the innings but could not go beyond 20.
Despite the modest score, Harmanpreet created a record, overtaking Shafali Verma to become the highest run-scorer in WPL history with 871 runs. Later, New Zealand star Nicola Carey (40) and Sajeevan Sajana (45) added a crucial 82-run partnership to take Mumbai to 154. For RCB, Nadine de Klerk claimed four wickets for 26 runs, while Bell and Shreyanka Patil picked up one wicket each.
Chasing the target, RCB openers got off to a brisk start. Smriti Mandhana scored 18 off 13 balls before being caught by Poonam Khemnar while attempting to take on Shabnim Ismail. Grace Harris also departed after a quick 25 off 12 balls. RCB then lost wickets in quick succession Dayalan Hemalatha (7), Richa Ghosh (6), and Radha Yadav (1) failed to contribute.
At one stage, RCB were struggling at 65 for 5. Nadine de Klerk and Arundhati Reddy (20) steadied the innings with a 52-run partnership. Shreyanka Patil could not support De Klerk, scoring just 1, but the South African star fought on alone to take her team to victory.
Just two months ago, on the same ground, De Klerk could not help South Africa win the World Cup and was dismissed by Harmanpreet Kaur. On Friday, at the same venue, she turned the tables. Remaining unbeaten on 63, she snatched the match from Harmanpreet’s hands. In the final over bowled by Sciver-Brunt, De Klerk smashed two sixes and two fours to collect 20 runs (18 needed), sealing a dramatic win for RCB.
Royal Challengers Bangalore began their WPL campaign with a thrilling three-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians.
