Royal Challengers Cricket vs Mumbai Indians (WPL) is one of the biggest rivalries in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Both franchises are WPL titlists and have been home to some of the biggest names in women’s cricket over their appearances, from Smriti Mandhana, Ellyse Perry and Richa Ghosh for the Super Kings and Harmanpreet Kaur, Nat Sciver-Brunt Hayley Matthews e Amelia Kerr with MI.
Since the WPL began in 2023, RCB vs MI has produced several close matches, high-scoring games and important knockout encounters since the inception of WPL in 2023. The competition peaked in 2026 when the teams met twice during the league stage and finished with a win apiece.
Both RCB and Mumbai Indians won WPL 2024, WPL 2026; MI have also won the tournament in two editions – 2023 & 2025 (as at the end of WPL 2026 season). However WPL’s official records list Mumbai Indians champions in 2023 and 2025 and Royal Challengers Bengaluru as champions for 2024 and 2026.
Royal Challengers Cricket vs Mumbai Indians (WPL) Overview
| Category | Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women | Mumbai Indians Women |
| Full Name | Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women | Mumbai Indians Women |
| Short Name | RCB Women | MI Women |
| Competition | Women’s Premier League | Women’s Premier League |
| WPL Debut | 2023 | 2023 |
| WPL Titles | 2 | 2 |
| Championship Years | 2024, 2026 | 2023, 2025 |
| 2026 Captain | Smriti Mandhana | Harmanpreet Kaur |
| Major Stars | Smriti Mandhana, Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghosh | Harmanpreet Kaur, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Hayley Matthews |
| 2026 League Position | 1st | 4th |
| 2026 Points | 12 | 6 |
RCB Women vs Mumbai Indians Women WPL History
The rivalry started during the inaugural WPL season in 2023. Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, set to rule the roost in 2019 itself while RCB had to wait another season for their first championship.
Mumbai Indians won their first encounter in WPL 2023 against RCB by nine wickets, played in March 2023. RCB to score: 155 MI chased down the target scoring 159/1 in just 14.2 overs, with Hayley Matthews being star for the day
The second hit-up of 2023 between the groups likewise went the way of Mumbai, who hammered RCB for a four-wicket triumph. RCB 125/9 in 20 Overs, MI 129/6 in 20 Overs. Amelia Kerr was awarded Player of the Match
That was all to change in 2024. There was the much-improved side and they then went on to win their first WPL trophy. Some of the biggest wins they had was against Mumbai Indians in Eliminator, where RCB beat MI by 5 runs. The win, which was assisted by Ellyse Perry.
In the same season, they also delivered one of their key RCB victories when they bowled out the Mumbai Indians for 113 and chased it down with seven wickets in hand. Perry was again named Player of the Match.
Mumbai Indians regained the upper hand in the rivalry in 2025. Bengaluru: MI chased down the target of 167 set through RCB with a ball to spare here on Tuesday (October 17) and beat them by four wickets. In the reverse fixture, RCB bounced back to beat Mumbai by 11 runs at Brabourne Stadium. RCB made 199/3 and defended the score successfully.
RCB vs MI Head to Head in WPL
| WPL Season | Matches | RCB Wins | MI Wins |
| 2023 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 2024 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Overall | 9 | 4 | 5 |
Royal Challengers Cricket vs Mumbai Indians (WPL) All Matches Results 2023 to 2026
| Date | Winner | Won by | Venue |
| 6 March 2023 | Mumbai Indians | Won by 9 wickets | Barbourne Stadium, Mumbai |
| 21 March 2023 | Mumbai Indians | Won by 4 wickets | Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai |
| 2 March 2024 | Mumbai Indians | Won by 7 wickets | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| 12 March 2024 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Won by 7 wickets | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
| 15 March 2024 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Won by 5 runs | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
| 21 February 2025 | Mumbai Indians | Won by 4 wickets | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| 11 March 2025 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Won by 11 runs | Barbourne Stadium, Mumbai |
| 9 Jan 2026 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Won by 3 wickets | Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai |
| 26 Jan 2026 | Mumbai Indians | Won by 15 runs | BCA Stadium Kotambi, Vadodara |
WPL 2026: RCB vs Mumbai Indians
The 2026 season featured two meetings between the teams that could not have been more different.
The first encounter between the two sides took place in the opening match of the tournament at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai. The previous season was the final of the WPL won by Mumbai Indians, and RCB started this season with some momentum after winning their first WPL title earlier.
Mumbai Indians: 154/6 in 20 overs. For Melbourne, Sajeevan Sajana scored 45 runs at the fire rate of more than 180, having come from only 25 balls while Nicola Carey chipped in with a quick-fire 40 runs in just 29 balls. Kenkre debutant Nadine de Klerk was the pick of the bowlers for RCB, grabbing four wickets for 26 runs.
RCB then chased the target on the final ball by scoring 157/7. Ending it by 3 wickets in hand. Became the player of the match and scored unbeaten 63 runs in 44 balls which was outstanding innings as opener Nadine de Klerk.
The second meeting was held at BCA Stadium, Vadodara on January 26. Mumbai Indians have put on a batting masterclass this time around.
MI posted 199/4 in 20 overs. It was an immense knock from Nat Sciver-Brunt, and one that echoed throughout the innings scoring a century in 57 balls, along with Hayley Matthews who scored 56 in 39 deliveries.
RCB were given a glimpse of hope through Richa Ghosh (90 off 50 balls) but fell short, finishing on -184/9. Hence, Mumbai Indians won by 15 runs and the season series between the two teams is now 1-1.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women in WPL
Because of the stamp of Royal Challengers, RCB had massive expectations when they entered in 2023 in the Women’s Premier League. The team struggled to perform in their first season missing out on the playoffs.
The turnaround came in 2024. RCB championsmade history, bagging their maiden WPL title under Smriti Mandhana’s captaincy
That was followed with a long 2025 season before the team rebounded playing for WPL 2026. With the 2026 mega auction coming up, RCB retained four star players including Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, Ellyse Perry and Shreyanka Patil. Players like Georgia Voll, Nadine de Klerk, Radha Yadav, Lauren Bell, Pooja Vastrakar, Grace Harris and Arundhati Reddy then joined them.
RCB Women 2026 Squad
Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, Ellyse Perry, Shreyanka Patil, Georgia Voll, Nadine de Klerk, Radha Yadav, Lauren Bell, Linsey Smith, Prema Rawat, Arundhati Reddy, Pooja Vastrakar, Grace Harris, Gautami Naik, Kumar Prathyoosha and Dayalan Hemalatha.
Smriti Mandhana – RCB’s Key Player
RCB will, however, be without Smriti Mandhana, who is still one of RCB’s best WPL players. A potent combination of left-handed strokeplay and grown-up leadership, she has been instrumental in transforming RCB into a championship-winning unit.
The 2016 campaign was probably the best. Thus, she became the Orange Cap holder at the end of season for scoring 377 runs in 9 games at an average of 53.86.
Having earned 12 points during the league stage in 2026, RCB ended up at the top of the table and reached the final directly. With a six-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals in the final, they lifted the WPL trophy for the second time.
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Mumbai Indians Women in WPL
2023 was Mumbai Indians’ inaugural WPL title. Harmanpreet Kaur took over quickly, the reputation of a deep batting line up, quality overseas players and a strong bowling unit being built.
In the next several seasons MI remained competitive, winning their second title in 2025. With their consistency about them, they became one of the benchmark teams in the league.
Mumbai has retained most of the winning units in WPL 2026. Retained were Harmanpreet Kaur, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Hayley Matthews, Amanjot Kaur and G Kamalini while ₹3 crore returning player Amelia Kerr rejoined the squad. Mumbai has also recalled Shabnim Ismail, Sajeevan Sajana and Saika Ishaque.
Mumbai Indians Women 2026 Squad
Harmanpreet Kaur, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Hayley Matthews, Amanjot Kaur, G Kamalini, Amelia Kerr, Shabnim Ismail, Sanskriti Gupta, Sajeevan Sajana, Rahila Firdous, Nicola Carey, Poonam Khemnar, Triveni Vasistha, Nalla Reddy, Saika Ishaque and Milly Illingworth
Harmanpreet Kaur – MI’s Leader
Mumbai Indians, with the exceptional Harmanpreet Kaur at the helm Her experience, gift of attacking spin & pace in addition to an aggressive captaincy style makes her one of these key players for the team.
She finished the WPL 2026 as top-scorer of her team, and also led the league in sixes with 13 for the season.
Nat Sciver-Brunt added more batting support, Hayley Matthews everyone knows from the all-round dimension they provide.
RCB vs MI: Key Players to Watch
Smriti Mandhana
He is RCB’s top batter and its captain, Mandhana. RCB also get a solid attacking base in the powerplay with her presence at the top of the order, allowing the middle order to play more freely.
Ellyse Perry
Over the course of RCB’s WPL journey Perry has been one of its defining players. Her batting experience and bowling skills in crunch games are very beneficial.
Richa Ghosh
Richa is a power-hitting middle-order batter and wicketkeeper for RCB. The half-century was an indication of what kind of a player she could be when the need arises: during their second meeting at 2026, she had mulled up 90 off just 50 balls against Mumbai.
Nadine de Klerk
De Klerk scored a 63 not out in the first encounter, which ended up being a real thriller with RCB winning by three wickets, to produce one of the iconic performances of the 2026 tête-à-tête. In the Mumbai innings, she captured 4 wickets as well.
Harmanpreet Kaur
The MI captain Harmanpreet is an experienced player and can turn the match in the blink of an eye with her explosive batting.
Nat Sciver-Brunt
Sciver-Brunt is among the more complete players in Mumbai. The ideal instance of her match-winning ability stemmed from the century she scored against RCB in January 2026. She played a pivotal role in MI’s 15-run triumph, scoring 100 from 57 balls.
Hayley Matthews
Matthews is an all-rounder with both batting and bowling in limited overs. Her multi-departmental contribution makes her amongst the most prized within MI upper echelon.
Amelia Kerr
Another all-rounder for Mumbai, Kerr. During that auction, MI secured her return for WPL 2026 with a bid of ₹3 crore, making the Australian star the tournament’s most expensive overseas player.
RCB Women vs MI Women: Major Rivalry Moments
2023: The opening meetings of the first season went all MI with two victories, including one by nine wickets.
2024: RCB flipped the script, by defeating MI twice including the Eliminator. Following this, RCB went on to register their first WPL title victory.
2025: The teams played twice in the league, MI winning one by four wickets and RCB the other by 11 runs.
2026: RCB won a last-ball thriller by three wickets for the opening but MI hit back with 15-run win in second.
This evolution illustrates the conflict of a long-standing Mumbai hegemony into a much more evenly matched confrontation.
WPL Titles: RCB vs Mumbai Indians
| Team | WPL Titles | Championship Seasons |
| Mumbai Indians Women | 2 | 2023, 2025 |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women | 2 | 2024, 2026 |
RCB vs MI WPL Latest Status
RCB had a better overall run, but at the end of WPL 2026. They added 12 points in the league stage to finish at the top and ultimately went on to become champions, beating Delhi Capitals by six wickets in the final.
6 – Mumbai Indians, Fourth in Group, Did Not Progress To Knockout Stage (W2 L4) Nevertheless, MI won this season’s second meeting between the teams – a tussle tighter than the league gulf in their head-to-head.
Individual performances also feature strongly in the official WPL stats for 2026. Smriti Mandhana emerged as the top run-scorer with 377 runs and Sophie Devine picked up the Purple Cap after taking 17 wickets. Also, Harmanpreet Kaur was the 6th all round for this tournament and she hit 13 sixes.
Final Thoughts
RCB-W vs MI-W has turned out to be quite a rivalry in the WPL. Mumbai Indians led the way by clinching the first WPL title in 2023 while RCB was crowned champions in 2024. MI then won the trophy back in 2025 before RCB clinched their second title in 2026.
The head-to-head record remains closely contested, with Mumbai holding a slim 5-4 lead after nine WPL clashes. The rivalry itself was further put on display in the 2026 season: RCB edged the opening match by three wickets with the last ball of the game, before Mumbai responded in kind with a 15-run win in completing the fixtures.
RCB is led by Smriti Mandhana while MI has Harmanpreet Kaur, both teams look capable enough to bag future WPL titles. With their mix of Indian stars, overseas professionals, all-rounders and youth brigade, future RCB vs MI WPL fixtures will likely remain one of the biggest matches in women’s franchise cricket moving forward.
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