Nadine De Klerk’s Ice-Cold Finish Rescues RCB
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s opening win At a venue where chasing had historically proven advantageous, RCB backed their research, trusted their combination, and leaned into a bowling-heavy lineup — even without marquee names like Ellyse Perry. Rangarajan was adamant afterward: this wasn’t a last-minute call. The blueprint had been months in the making.of the WPL 2026 season was not just about two points on the table — it was a full-scale validation of a bold, carefully engineered plan that many outside the camp questioned long before the first ball was bowled.
When RCB head coach Malolan Rangarajan confirmed that Georgia Voll had been left out purely on selection grounds, it raised eyebrows. But as the dust settled after a tense victory over the defending champions Mumbai Indians, it became clear that nothing about RCB’s approach was accidental.
At a venue where chasing had historically proven advantageous, RCB backed their research, trusted their combination, and leaned into a bowling-heavy lineup — even without marquee names like Ellyse Perry. Rangarajan was adamant afterward: this wasn’t a last-minute call. The blueprint had been months in the making.
The match itself was chaotic, swinging violently in momentum. RCB burst out of the blocks with intent as Smriti Mandhana and Grace Harris tore into Mumbai’s new-ball attack, smashing 39 runs in the first three overs and immediately seizing control. It was the kind of start that hinted at a comfortable chase.
Once Harris departed and wickets fell in quick succession, the chase unraveled rapidly. Richa Ghosh’s dismissal left RCB reeling at 65 for 5, turning what once looked like a stroll into a tightrope walk. The unconventional nature of RCB’s lineup suddenly came under the microscope.
The most talked-about moment arrived when Radha Yadav walked in at No. 6 — a decision that looked baffling on paper. Despite being a capable middle-order batter in domestic cricket, Radha had rarely been asked to shoulder such responsibility at this level. Mumbai seized the moment, with Amelia Kerr cleaning her up with a sharp googly.
Nadine De Klerk’s composure under chaos keeps RCB’s unconventional plan alive
Arundhati Reddy steadied the innings just enough to prevent a collapse, stretching the game deep. Prema Rawat added crucial late runs, absorbing pressure far beyond what her batting résumé suggested. And then came the defining act of the night.
Nadine de Klerk, living a charmed life after being dropped multiple times and surviving a run-out chance, made Mumbai pay in brutal fashion. Drawing on the same composure she has shown for South Africa in World Cup pressure moments, de Klerk launched a fearless counter-attack. Two towering sixes and a pair of boundaries in the final over turned desperation into triumph, sealing a dramatic win that left Mumbai stunned.
Ironically, Mumbai’s own struggles mirrored RCB’s belief in bowling depth. With Yastika Bhatia gone and Hayley Matthews unavailable, their top order faltered badly. Nat Sciver-Brunt fell early, Harmanpreet Kaur never truly found rhythm, and the usually dominant batting unit posted a total that always felt slightly under par.
RCB’s bowlers ensured it stayed that way. Lauren Bell’s opening spell applied early pressure, and the sheer volume of bowling options meant Mumbai never found momentum. Of nine available bowlers, RCB needed only six — a luxury few teams in the tournament possess.
After the match, Rangarajan summed it up plainly. RCB aren’t trying to look conventional. They are trying to win. Every player has a defined role, and the management is prepared to live with uncomfortable moments if it means backing that vision fully.
This win won’t silence all critics. There will still be questions about balance, about leaving power hitters on the bench, about asking bowlers to bat under fire. But with two points secured and belief strengthened, RCB have earned the right to persist.
In a tournament often driven by star power, RCB’s opening statement was clear: planning, conviction, and trust can be just as dangerous as brute force.
