Though the Mumbai Indians (MI) top-order failed to provide a dominating start against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), their No.5 and No. 6 batters, Nicola Carey (29-ball 40, 4x4) and Sajeevan Sajana (25-ball 45, 7x4, 1x6) did well to help the defending champions post 154-6 in the Women’s Premier League-4 opening encounter at the DY Patil Stadium on Friday. Put in to bat, MI lost their top three batters, including opener Gunalan Kamalini (28-ball 32, 5x4) and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (20, 1x4, 1x6), by the halfway mark with the scoreboard reading 63-3. However, Sajana and left-hander Carey shouldered the responsibility well, stitching a vital 82-run stand off just 49 balls. At the time of going to press, RCB were 82-5 in 11.4 overs. RCB’s India wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh showcased some exemplary glovework when she dismissed MI’s one-drop batter Nat Sciver-Brunt (4) with a quick stumping off medium pacer Nadine de Klerk (4-26). Ghosh played a key role again when she took a sharp catch to dismiss Harmanpreet off De Klerk.
10 January,2026 08:27 AM IST | Navi Mumbai | Subodh MayureWhen Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Harmanpreet Kaur arrived at the ground on the eve of their WPL-4 opening game on Thursday, the India captain had said: “DY Patil is always very special to all of us, [and] we love coming here.” Fans too feel the same way, as was evident on Friday with all roads leading to the stadium for the MI versus Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) tournament-opener. A large crowd turned up for this match and credit for this increasing popularity must go to the Indian women’s team’s maiden ICC ODI World Cup triumph at this very ground last November. In fact, most seats in the house were filled up much before the start of the game. Nashik-based MI supporters Chetan Bachaav (left) and Ajay Patil. PICS/SUBODH MAYURE Ajay Patil and his friend Chetan Bachaav, part of a group of 24 MI fans who travelled here from Nashik to watch their favourite cricketers, were excited to witness the WPL-4 opener. “We tried to get tickets during the Women’s World Cup final, but failed. This time, we managed to get all the 24 tickets we needed for this game. We took leave today [Friday] from our respective offices to come for this game. I’m expecting Harmanpreet to bat well and help MI win today,” Bachaav told mid-day before the start of the match on Friday. Interestingly, there were many fans sporting Virat Kohli’s RCB jersey. The RCB women’s team skipper Smriti Mandhana had her fair share of fans too. Kolhapur-based Prem Sangar and Akshay Sangar travelled all the way specially to watch their favourite women’s cricketer Mandhana. “We have come here to support RCB. Virat is our favourite cricketer, as is our Sangli star Smriti. We are confident RCB will win today,” said Prem.
10 January,2026 08:27 AM IST | Navi Mumbai | Subodh MayureSenior batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma looked in good touch as India went through a rigorous training session here on Friday, ahead of their three-match ODI series vs New Zealand. The ODI series starting here on Sunday will be followed by a long T20I season, which includes a five-match series against the Kiwis, the T20 World Cup, and then the Indian Premier League. Both Kohli and Rohit spent nearly one-and-a-half hours against Indian pacers, spinners and throw-down specialists after playing two matches each in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Having struck 77 and 131 in the two matches of the premier domestic competition, Kohli went hard against the Indian spinners and pacers alike. However, India’s middle-order mainstay Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant, as well as pacer Mohammed Siraj, weren’t a part of the three-hour training session, having played for their respective state teams in the Vijay Hazare Trophy on Thursday. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
10 January,2026 08:13 AM IST | Vadodara | PTIA senior Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official calling former Bangladesh skipper Tamim Iqbal “an Indian agent” has not gone down well with the players in the country. Tamim had urged the country’s Cricket Board to avoid being driven by “public emotion” while deciding the national team’s participation in next month’s T20 World Cup in India, as any such call would have an “impact 10 years down the line”. Bangladesh have expressed reluctance to tour India for the event starting February 7 and want their matches to be shifted to co-host Sri Lanka, citing security concerns. This was after Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was released from IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders on instructions of the BCCI for unspecified reasons amid attacks on Hindus here. ‘Critical situation’ “The situation is a bit critical at the moment, and making a sudden comment right now is difficult. But one thing you must keep in mind is that many issues can often be resolved through dialogue if everyone comes together,” Tamim was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz. “You have to consider where Bangladesh stands in world cricket and what the future of Bangladesh cricket could be and then make decisions accordingly,” he said. Bangladesh sports ministry advisor Asif Nazrul has taken a hard-line position on the change of venue. M Nazmul Islam, chairman of the BCB finance committee, called the left-hander opener “an Indian agent” in a Facebook post. “This time, the people of Bangladesh witnessed, with their own eyes, the emergence of yet another proven Indian agent,” he wrote. CWAB slams remark The post received immediate backlash from former and current cricketers, including Taskin Ahmed, Momimul Haque and Taijul Islam. Even the Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) expressed shock at Nazmul’s comments. “A comment made by BCB director M Nazmul Islam regarding former national captain Tamim Iqbal has come to the attention of the Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh. We are stunned, shocked, and outraged by it. Such a remark by a board official about the most successful opener in Bangladesh’s history is utterly condemnable. Such comments about any cricketer of the country are unacceptable and insulting to the entire cricketing community,” the players’ body said in a statement. FiveNo of IPL teams Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman has played for 70No of Tests played by Tamim Iqbal. He has represented Bangladesh in 243 ODIs and 78 T20Is This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
10 January,2026 08:12 AM IST | Dhaka | PTIIn the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 match against the Mumbai Indians (MI), the Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured a stunning victory by three wickets at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. Having put to chase a target of 155 runs, Grace Harris and skipper Smriti Mandhana opened the innings for RCB. Facing 12 balls, Harris smashed 25 runs, which was laced with four boundaries and a maximum. Mandhana accumulated 18 runs in 13 balls, including four boundaries. Later, premier all-rounder Nadine de Klerk played a match-winning knock of an unbeaten 63 runs off 44 deliveries. Her knock was laced with seven boundaries and two maximums. Arundhati Reddy also scored 20 runs in 25 balls, with the help of two boundaries. Riding on de Klerk's knock, RCB scored 157 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs. Nicola Carey and Amelia Kerr bagged two wickets each for the Mumbai Indians. Bowling four overs each, Carey conceded 35 runs, and Kerr leaked 13 runs. Nat Sciver-Brunt, Shabnim Ismail, and Amanjot Kaur claimed one wicket each. Saika Ishaque went wicketless in the WPL 2026 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Earlier, MI had posted a target of 155 runs for the loss of six wickets in 20 overs. Opening the innings for the "Paltan", Amelia Kerr departed early on just four runs in 15 balls. Fellow opening batswoman Gunalan Kamalini accumulated 32 runs off 28 deliveries, which was laced with five boundaries. Nicola Carey and Sajeevan Sajana delivered crucial knocks for the team. Facing 29 balls, Carey registered 40 runs, including four boundaries, whereas Sajana played a knock of 45 runs off 25 balls. Her knock also included seven boundaries and a maximum. Having completed her quota of four overs, RCB's Lauren Bell conceded 14 runs and claimed one wicket. Shreyanka Patil also bowled four overs and bagged one wicket by giving away 32 runs. Nadine de Klerk, in her spell of four overs, picked up four wickets by conceding 26 runs. Linsey Smith, Arundhati Reddy, and Radha Yadav went wicketless in the WPL 2026 match against the Mumbai Indians. Smith bowled two overs and leaked 23 runs. Arundhati gave away 37 runs in four overs, and Radha was smashed for 21 runs in two overs.
09 January,2026 11:41 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 opening match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Mumbai Indians (MI) posted a target of 155 runs for the loss of six wickets in 20 overs at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. Opening the innings for the "Paltan", Amelia Kerr departed early on just four runs in 15 balls. Fellow opening batswoman Gunalan Kamalini accumulated 32 runs off 28 deliveries, which was laced with five boundaries. Premier batsman Nat Sciver-Brunt managed to score just four runs in three balls. She also smashed a boundary. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur garnered 20 runs in 17 balls, with the help of a boundary and a maximum. Nicola Carey and Sajeevan Sajana delivered crucial knocks for the team. Facing 29 balls, Carey registered 40 runs, including four boundaries, whereas Sajana played a knock of 45 runs off 25 balls. Her knock also included seven boundaries and a maximum. Amanjot Kaur and Poonam Khemnar stayed unbeaten on ducks after facing two and one ball, respectively. Having completed her quota of four overs, RCB's Lauren Bell conceded 14 runs and claimed one wicket. Shreyanka Patil also bowled four overs and bagged one wicket by giving away 32 runs. Nadine de Klerk, in her spell of four overs, picked up four wickets by conceding 26 runs. Linsey Smith, Arundhati Reddy, and Radha Yadav went wicketless in the WPL 2026 match against the Mumbai Indians. Smith bowled two overs and leaked 23 runs. Arundhati gave away 37 runs in four overs, and Radha was smashed for 21 runs in two overs. Earlier, RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana won the toss and elected to bowl first against the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side. After concluding this match, the "Paltan" will lock horns against Delhi Capitals (DC) on the very next day. WPL 2026, MI vs RCB: Playing XI Mumbai Indians: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), G Kamalini, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amelia Kerr, Amanjot Kaur, Nicola Carey, Poonam Khemnar, Shamnim Ismail, Sanskriti Gupta, Sajana Sajeevan, and Saika Ishaque. Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Smriti Mandhana (C), Grace Harris, Dayalan Hemalatha, Richa Ghosh (WK), Radha Yadav, Nadine De Klerk, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Prema Rawat, Linsey Smith, and Lauren Bell.
09 January,2026 09:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 match against the Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Smriti Mandhana won the toss and elected to bowl first at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai. The "Paltan" will look to open their campaign on a positive note, whereas RCB will look to defend their title. The DY Patil pitch traditionally favours batswomen, often producing high-scoring thrillers that can be swayed by a single individual performance. The battle between Mandhana and Shamnim Ismail will be worth watching. It will be interesting to see if explosive RCB's Richa Ghosh manages to get her rhythm from the beginning of the tournament. It is a battle for early momentum in what is shaping up to be the most competitive WPL season yet. After winning the toss, Mandhana said that, considering the dew factor, she opted to bowl first in the WPL 2026 opening match. Nadine De Klerk, Grace Harris, Lauren Bell, and Linsey Smith will be their four overseas players for this game. Meanwhile, MI captain Harmanpreet Kaur said that the side has good practice sessions at the venue for 10 days. She also informed that Hayley Matthews won't feature in the match. Nicola Carey is set to make her debut. Will the Challengers be able to dominate the "Paltan" on their homeground? It will be a double-decker Saturday for the cricket fans across the globe as the "Paltan" will again be in action for their second game on the very next day. They will lock horns against the Delhi Capitals (DC) at the same venue. Before Mumbai's clash, the fans will witness the match between UP Warriorz (UPW) and Gujarat Giants (GG) at 3.00 PM. WPL 2026, MI vs RCB: Confirmed Playing XI Mumbai Indians: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), G Kamalini, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amelia Kerr, Amanjot Kaur, Nicola Carey, Poonam Khemnar, Shamnim Ismail, Sanskriti Gupta, Sajana Sajeevan, and Saika Ishaque. Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Smriti Mandhana (C), Grace Harris, Dayalan Hemalatha, Richa Ghosh (WK), Radha Yadav, Nadine De Klerk, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Prema Rawat, Linsey Smith, and Lauren Bell.
09 January,2026 09:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAfter leading Australia to a 4-1 triumph against England in the Ashes series. Steve Smith, along with Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne, could be in action for their Big Bash League (BBL) teams after the conclusion of the Sydney Test match, according to ESPNCricinfo. Several players from the Ashes squad would feature in the BBL, the portal further stated. Mitchell Starc will also return to the Sydney Sixers in the competition for the first time in 11 years, whereas Travis Head will be skipping the tournament. Head, who concluded the Ashes series as a top run-scorer with 629 runs, said that he would be opting for rest before heading into the T20 World Cup 2026. He registered three tons in the rivalry against the "Three Lions". Scott Boland, who was the third-highest wicket-taker in the Ashes series, would not feature for the Melbourne Stars. He registered 20 wickets to his name. On the other hand, Cameron Green will have some time off away from the game. Smith, who had torched an unbeaten 121 runs against Perth Scorchers and another half-century in his three-match stint last season, will be available for the Sixers' final three regular-season fixtures, starting with Sunday's fixture against Hobart Hurricanes. Currently at fourth spot with four wins and three losses, they are trying to make it to the finals and are three points away from overtaking the Hurricanes (10 points). Starc is expected to be a part of the clash against the Sydney Thunder and later against the Brisbane Heat on January 16 and 18, respectively. He had announced his T20I retirement last year. Australia will be playing three T20Is in Pakistan before the T20 World Cup, and players will depart for Pakistan in a staggered manner depending on how far their BBL franchises go in the tournament. The squad which will travel to Pakistan for the T20Is is yet to be announced, but is likely to feature some additional names besides the 15-man T20 WC squad led by Mitchell Marsh. BBL player availability From January 10: Alex Carey (Strikers), Brendan Doggett (Renegades), Josh Inglis (Scorchers), Usman Khawaja (Heat), Marnus Labuschagne (Heat), Todd Murphy (Sixers), Steven Smith (Sixers), Jake Weatherald (Hurricanes), Beau Webster (Hurricanes) From January 14: Michael Neser (Heat) From January 16: Mitchell Starc (Sixers). (With ANI Inputs)
09 January,2026 09:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Women’s Premier League 2026 kicks off on Friday, January 9, and will run until February 5. The season opens with a high-voltage clash that reignites one of the league’s fiercest rivalries, setting the tone for another thrilling campaign. A total of 20 league matches will be held in WPL this year, with the table-toppers directly making the final. Sticking to the usual format of double round-robin structure, all the five teams will face each other twice during the league phase. The second and the third placed will lock horns in the Eliminator. The first 11 matches will be held in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, and the remaining nine will take place in Vadodara, Gujarat. A high-voltage opening clash between defending champions Mumbai Indians and former title holders Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The action will be followed by Delhi Capitals aiming for redemption after three consecutive runners-up finishes, along with Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz in the mix. WPL 2026 schedule January 9 Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru January 10 UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants January 10 Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals January 11 Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Giants January 12 Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs UP Warriorz January 13 Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Giants January 14 UP Warriorz vs Delhi Capitals January 15 Mumbai Indians vs UP Warriorz January 16 Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Giants January 17 UP Warriorz vs Mumbai Indians January 17 Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru January 19 Gujarat Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru January 20 Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians January 22 Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz January 24 Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals January 26 Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Mumbai Indians January 27 Gujarat Giants vs Delhi Capitals January 29 UP Warriorz vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru January 30 Gujarat Giants vs Mumbai Indians February 1 Delhi Capitals vs UP Warriorz February 3 Eliminator February 5 Final WPL 2026 squads Mumbai IndiansHarmanpreet Kaur (C), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amelia Kerr, Hayley Matthews, Amanjot Kaur, Sajeevan Sajana, Shabnim Ismail, Gunalan Kullkarni, Nicola Carey, Sanskriti Gupta, Rahil Firdous, Poonam Khemnar, Triveni Vasistha, Nalla Reddy, Saika Ishaque, Milly Illingworth Royal Challengers BengaluruSmriti Mandhana (C), Richa Ghosh, Ellyse Perry, Lauren Bell, Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Radha Yadav, Nadine de Klerk, Shreyanka Patil, Georgia Voll, Linsey Smith, Prema Rawat, Gautami Naik, Prathyoosha Kumar, Dayalan Hemalatha UP WarriorzMeg Lanning (C), Deepti Sharma, Shikha Pandey, Phoebe Litchfield, Asha Sobhana, Sophie Ecclestone, Deandra Dottin, Kiran Navgire, Kranti Gaud, Shweta Sehrawat, Harleen Deol, Chloe Tryon, Suman Meena, Simran Shaikh, G Trisha, Pratika Rawal Delhi CapitalsJemimah Rodrigues (C), Shafali Verma, Annabel Sutherland, Marizanne Kapp, Shree Charani, Chinelle Henry, Laura Wolvaardt, Niki Prasad, Sneh Rana, Taniya Bhatia, Lizelle Lee, Deeya Yadav, Mamatha Madiwala, Nandani Sharma, Lucy Hamilton, Minnu Mani Gujarat GiantsAshleigh Gardner (C), Beth Mooney, Sophie Devine, Georgia Wareham, Bharti Fulmali, Kashvee Gautam, Renuka Singh, Yastika Bhatia, Anushka Sharma, Tanuja Kanwar, Kanika Ahuja, Titas Sadhu, Happy Kumari, Kim Garth, Shivani Singh, Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Ayushi SoniWPL 2026 live streaming details The 2026 Women’s Premier League will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network. Fans can also watch all matches via digital streaming on the Jio Hotstar app and website.
09 January,2026 08:44 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAhead of the T20 World Cup 2026, amid the uncertainty of Bangladesh's team visiting India, former skipper Tamim Iqbal said that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) should look to solve the problem, considering the country's future in the game. Earlier, BCB had asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to move all of their T20 World Cup 2026 matches out of India, citing security and safety concerns for the contingent. This came after the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) released Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from its squad for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The action came following the atrocities against the minorities in Bangladesh. "Since I am not involved [with the BCB], like any other regular person I am finding things out through the media. But I am sure those dealing with these matters have a lot more information. So in that regard, I should not suddenly be making comments. What I am saying, however, is that Bangladesh cricket's interest, future and everything else must be considered before making such a decision. There is nothing better than if something can be resolved through dialogue," said Iqbal, according to The Daily Star. He also said that the board needs to consider everything before making public comments, and the decisions have to be taken for the goodwill of Bangladesh cricket. "What I feel, and I think I would have done the same if I were there, is that since this is a sensitive issue, before making public comments, we would discuss the matter ourselves [within the board]. Because when you make a public comment, right or wrong, it becomes difficult to step back from that position. Bangladesh cricket's future comes before everything else, and 90 to 95 percent of the finances come from the ICC, so decisions have to be made based on what will help Bangladesh cricket," added the 36-year-old cricketer. Bangladesh are scheduled to open their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign on February 7 against the two-time champions West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. After the West Indies, Bangladesh will face Italy on February 9 at the same venue, then face the 2022 T20 World Cup champions, England, in Kolkata again. After facing England, Bangladesh are scheduled to travel to Mumbai to play Nepal at Wankhede Stadium. (With ANI Inputs)
09 January,2026 04:44 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAs the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 is all set to kick off, here are all the matches of the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the marquee tournament. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led Mumbai Indians will open their Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 campaign against the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), on Friday at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. The following day, the Mumbaikars will play their second clash against the Delhi Capitals (DC) at the same venue. They will then lock horns against the Gujarat Giants (GG) on January 13, following which they will play against the UP Warriorz (UPW) on January 15. On January 17, cricket fans will yet again witness the clash between the Indians and the Warriorz. The Vadodara International Cricket Stadium in Kotambi will host the match between the Delhi Capitals and the Mumbai Indians on January 20. The same stadium will also host the clash between the Paltan and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru on January 26. The Mumbaikars will play their last group stage match against the Giants on January 30 at the Vadodara International Cricket Stadium. The semi-final of the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 is scheduled to be played on February 3 in Kotambi, followed by the title clash on February 5. Ahead of the tournament's opening match, Mumbai Indians' skipper Harmanpreet Kaur said that the team will enter with the same mindset that they have been following for the past three to four years. "We have the same energy and excitement this season. We are going with a similar mindset like we did for the last three years and won two titles. Our mindset is to play good cricket," she stated. "We will do whatever is possible to win the title. Its is a very important season as a lot of exciting cricket is coming up," added Kaur. Mumbai Indians' squad for the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Amanjot Kaur, Amelia Kerr, Hayley Matthews, Nalla Reddy, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Nicola Carey, Poonam Khemnar, Sajeevan Sajana, Sanskriti Gupta, Triveni Vasistha, Gunalan Kamalini (WK), Rahila Firdous (WK), Milly Illingworth, Saika Ishaque, Shabnim Ismail.
09 January,2026 04:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
