Mumbai Indians Women vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Women Match Recap

Pre-match analysis published on 26 January 2026:

Form meets desperation in Vadodara. Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women arrive at BCA Stadium Kotambi having already sealed their playoff spot with a 5-1 record. Mumbai Indians Women sit at 2-4, needing a win to keep their knockout hopes alive. Smriti Mandhana leads the Orange Cap race with 230 runs at SR 133. Harmanpreet Kaur trails with 240 runs but MI have lost four of their last five. The head-to-head stands level at 4-4, but RCB have won the last two meetings.

Mumbai Indians Womens 2025/2026: Must-Win Territory

Mumbai Indians started WPL 2026 with promise but have collapsed since. Their campaign reads WLLLLW across six matches - a concerning trajectory for the defending champions.

• Match 1 vs GG (Jan 10) - Won by 5 wickets. Harmanpreet 57* set the tone.
• Match 2 vs UPW (Jan 12) - Lost by 6 wickets. Posted 147 but bowling crumbled.
• Match 3 vs DC (Jan 15) - Lost by 7 wickets. Sciver-Brunt 65* not enough.
• Match 4 vs RCB (Jan 18) - Lost by 39 runs. Chasing 175, collapsed to 136.
• Match 5 vs GG (Jan 21) - Lost by 4 wickets. Another collapse, another defeat.
• Match 6 vs UPW (Jan 24) - Won by 8 wickets. Kept hopes alive barely.

Key concern: Wicketkeeper Yastika Bhatia (Kamalini) is out injured, replaced by Vaishnavi Sharma. MI have struggled to defend totals, with their bowling attack leaking runs in the death overs. Harmanpreet averages 48.00 this tournament but lacks support - no other batter has crossed 150 runs.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Womens 2025/2026: Dominance Defined

RCB have been the standout team in WPL 2026, losing just once in six outings. Their record shows WWWWWL - five straight wins before their first defeat to Delhi on January 24.

• Match 1 vs DC (Jan 9) - Won by 8 wickets. Mandhana 62 dominated.
• Match 2 vs UPW (Jan 11) - Won by 6 wickets. Clinical chase of 139.
• Match 3 vs GG (Jan 14) - Won by 38 runs. Posted 168, bowlers did the rest.
• Match 4 vs MI (Jan 18) - Won by 39 runs. Litchfield 71, Mandhana 52 partnership.
• Match 5 vs DC (Jan 20) - Won by 5 wickets. Qualified for playoffs.
• Match 6 vs DC (Jan 24) - Lost by 7 wickets. First defeat, but playoffs secured.

All-rounder Pooja Vastrakar has returned from injury, adding depth to both batting and bowling. Shreyanka Patil has been excellent with the ball. The only concern is whether RCB rest players with playoffs already secured - but lessons from WPL 2025 suggest dominant teams maintain intensity in dead rubbers.

Key Players to Watch

Head-to-Head Record

Venue and Conditions

MI-W vs RCB-W Toss Prediction

Our toss prediction: toss winner will bowl first. Three of four WPL 2026 matches at Vadodara have been won by the chasing team. The evening start (19:30 IST) means dew will be a factor, making the ball harder to grip for bowlers in the second innings. Both captains will be aware of this trend - expect the toss winner to insert the opposition.

Why RCB Are Favourites

Our Prediction

Mumbai Indians have the individual talent - Harmanpreet Kaur can single-handedly win any game, and Nat Sciver-Brunt provides genuine quality. But the combination of RCBs superior form, recent H2H dominance, and batting depth makes them clear favourites. MI have lost 4 of their last 5 and struggle to defend totals. Their bowling attack has been inconsistent, while RCBs Shreyanka Patil continues to take wickets.

The must-win pressure on MI could inspire a performance, but it could equally lead to panic. RCB showed no signs of complacency against Delhi despite having qualified - expect them to maintain intensity here.

Prediction: RCB Women to win
Confidence: 58%

Betting Value