Royal Challengers Bengaluru carry a five-match winning streak and top the WPL 2026 standings as they face defending champions Mumbai Indians in a crucial encounter at BCA Stadium, Kotambi, Vadodara on Monday, January 26, 2026. RCB have been the team to beat this season, securing playoff qualification with dominant performances led by Smriti Mandhana, while Mumbai Indians struggle in fourth place with just two wins from six matches.
The defending champions face a must-win situation to keep their playoff hopes alive after struggling with opening combinations and consistency issues. RCB suffered their first defeat of the season in their previous match, making this clash crucial for both teams – can MI upset the league leaders, or will RCB bounce back to extend their dominance?
RCB vs MI WPL 2026 – Match Prediction & Odds
Royal Challengers Bengaluru are overwhelming favourites with odds around 1.38-1.45 reflecting their dominant five-match winning streak and top position, while defending champions Mumbai Indians are priced at 2.80-2.95 as desperate underdogs needing a win to revive their struggling playoff campaign from fourth place.
| Platform | MI Win Odds | RCB Win Odds | Toss Odds MI | Toss Odds RCB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1xbet | 2.85 | 1.42 | 1.90 | 1.90 |
| 10CRIC | 2.90 | 1.40 | 1.95 | 1.85 |
| Betway | 2.80 | 1.45 | 1.92 | 1.88 |
| Bet365 | 2.95 | 1.38 | 1.90 | 1.90 |
RCB vs MI WPL 2026 – Match Details
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Mumbai Indians (16th Match) |
| Series | Women’s Premier League 2026 |
| Date & Day | Monday, January 26, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM LOCAL / 2:00 PM GMT |
| Venue | BCA Stadium, Kotambi, Vadodara |
| RCB Position | 1st – 10 points (5W, 1L) – Qualified for Playoffs |
| MI Position | 4th – 4 points (2W, 4L) |
RCB vs MI WPL 2026 – Team Squads
No major changes expected from RCB’s settled combination despite their first defeat, while Mumbai Indians may consider bringing back Amelia Kerr after her surprising omission in the previous match against DC.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Squad: Smriti Mandhana (C), Grace Harris, Georgia Voll, Gautami Naik, Richa Ghosh (WK), Nadine de Klerk, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Sayali Satghare, Shreyanka Patil, Lauren Bell, Prathyoosha Kumar, Prema Rawat, Dayalan Hemalatha, Pooja Vastrakar, Linsey Smith
Probable XI: Grace Harris, Smriti Mandhana (C), Georgia Voll, Gautami Naik, Richa Ghosh (WK), Nadine de Klerk, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Sayali Satghare, Lauren Bell
Mumbai Indians Squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Hayley Matthews, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sajeevan Sajana, Nicola Carey, Amanjot Kaur, Sanskriti Gupta, Rahila Firdous (WK), Vaishnavi Sharma, Poonam Khemnar, Shabnim Ismail, Saika Ishaque, Milly Illingworth, Triveni Vasistha, Nalla Kranthi Reddy, Amelia Kerr
Probable XI: Hayley Matthews/Amelia Kerr, Sajeevan Sajana, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Rahila Firdous (WK), Nicola Carey, Amanjot Kaur, Vaishnavi Sharma, Poonam Khemnar, Sanskriti Gupta, Shabnim Ismail
BCA Stadium, Kotambi – Pitch Report
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Behaviour | Black-soil surface offering grip for spinners; becomes slower as match progresses |
| Batting Assistance | Challenging for stroke-play; requires patience and smart batting |
| Bowling Assistance | Excellent for spinners in middle overs; pacers get early movement |
| Ground Dimensions | Medium-sized boundaries; placement more important than power |
| Average Score | First innings: 145-155; only one 160+ score this season (RCB’s 178) |
| Toss & Dew Factor | Balanced contest; results evenly split between batting and bo |
Weather Forecast
| Aspect | Forecast |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 22-26°C (Pleasant evening conditions) |
| Weather | Clear skies, no rain expected |
| Precipitation | 0% (Perfect playing conditions) |
| Humidity | 50-60% |
| Wind | 8-12 km/h (Gentle breeze) |
RCB vs MI – Head to Head Record (WPL)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru hold a slight edge over Mumbai Indians in their brief WPL rivalry, having won their opening encounter this season in dramatic fashion thanks to Nadine de Klerk’s heroics.
| Statistic | Count |
|---|---|
| Total WPL Matches | 8 |
| RCB Won | 4 |
| MI Won | 4 |
| Current Season | RCB won by 2 wickets (opening match) |
WPL 2026 Season – Key Players to Watch
| Player Name | Stats in WPL 2026 | Reason to Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Smriti Mandhana (RCB) | 6 matches, 230 runs, Average: 46.00, SR: 134.50 | Captain leading from front; elegant left-hander in prime form with consistent performances |
| Nadine de Klerk (RCB) | 6 matches, 10 wickets, Average: 14.10 | Match-winner with bat and ball; claimed 10 wickets while providing crucial lower-order contributions |
| Lauren Bell (RCB) | 6 matches, 9 wickets, Average: 15.33 | Pace spearhead who troubled MI openers in first encounter; swing bowling specialist |
| Harmanpreet Kaur (MI) | 6 matches, 240 runs, Average: 60.00, SR: 143.71 | Captain carrying MI’s batting; needs support from top order to unleash her power-hitting |
| Nat Sciver-Brunt (MI) | 5 matches, 219 runs, Average: 54.75, SR: 146.98 | World-class all-rounder in exceptional form; key to MI’s hopes with bat and ball |
| Amelia Kerr (MI) | 5 matches, 10 wickets, Average: 14.70 | Leading wicket-taker for MI; her omission in last match backfired – likely to return |
Match Overview
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have been the revelation of WPL 2026, winning five consecutive matches to secure playoff qualification and establish a historic winning streak. Led brilliantly by Smriti Mandhana (230 runs at SR 134.50), RCB boast five different Player of the Match winners, showcasing their team depth. Nadine de Klerk (10 wickets) and Lauren Bell (9 wickets) have spearheaded a clinical bowling attack. Their only defeat came two nights ago, and they’ll be eager to prove it was an outlier rather than the start of a decline.
Mumbai Indians, despite being defending champions, find themselves struggling in fourth position with just two wins from six matches. Their persistent top-order issues have plagued the season, with four different opening combinations tried and none finding consistency. Harmanpreet Kaur (240 runs at average 60.00) and Nat Sciver-Brunt (219 runs at SR 146.98) have repeatedly been forced into recovery roles rather than capitalizing on strong starts. The controversial omission of Amelia Kerr (10 wickets) in their previous match backfired, and her return could strengthen both batting and bowling. With two league games remaining, MI desperately need wins to keep playoff hopes alive.
Toss Prediction
Prediction: Bowl first
The BCA Stadium pitch has shown balanced results between teams batting and bowling first, with bowlers consistently staying in the contest. Given the black-soil surface’s tendency to slow down and grip offering assistance to spinners, captains may prefer chasing to assess conditions. However, RCB’s 178 in the opening fixture while batting first suggests setting a target is equally viable.
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Final Prediction
Winner: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (65% probability)
RCB enter as strong favorites based on current form, team balance, and momentum. Their five-match winning streak, playoff qualification, and depth across all departments make them overwhelming favorites. MI’s top-order struggles and inconsistency have been glaring weaknesses throughout the season.
However, MI remains a dangerous opponent. As defending champions with world-class players like Harmanpreet Kaur, Nat Sciver-Brunt, and potentially returning Amelia Kerr, they possess the firepower to upset RCB. Their backs against the wall could spark a resurgence, especially on the bowling-friendly Kotambi surface where scores haven’t been massive.
Expected Scenario: Competitive contest with RCB likely to edge it through superior team balance and form. MI will fight hard, knowing their season depends on it, making this a closer affair than the odds suggest
