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Harmanpreet Kaur Rues Last-Over Bowling After MI's WPL Opener Loss to RCB

Mumbai Indians skipper Harmanpreet Kaur reflected on her team's narrow loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the WPL 2026 opener. She pinpointed the failure to bowl a single good delivery in the decisive final over, which allowed RCB's Nadine de Klerk to score the required 20 runs. Kaur also acknowledged a poor start during the powerplay and noted the pitch conditions improved as the match progressed. The captain emphasized the need to move on quickly and focus on improvements for the next game.

Key Points: Harmanpreet Kaur Reflects on MI's WPL Loss to RCB

  • MI lost WPL opener by 3 wickets
  • Nadine de Klerk's 20-run final over sealed win
  • Harmanpreet cites poor powerplay start
  • Focus shifts to improving for next match
2 min read

"In the last over, we could've bowled one good ball": MI skipper Harmanpreet Kaur reflects on their loss against RCB

MI skipper Harmanpreet Kaur analyzes the narrow defeat, citing missed chances and a costly final over bowled to RCB's Nadine de Klerk.

"We just did not bowl one good ball. This happens. We gave her chances... - Harmanpreet Kaur"

Navi Mumbai, January 10

Mumbai Indians skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, reflected on their loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the opening match of Women's Premier League, saying they gave away chances to and didn't bowl a good ball in the last over, allowing Nadine de Klerk to score the needed runs.

While speaking to reporters after the match on Friday, she emphasised the need to move on and focus on the next match, improving their game. Harmanpreet also mentioned their poor start in the power play and the pitch getting better as the game progressed.

Nadine de Klerk's four-fer, followed by a match-winning half-century, powered RCB to open their account with a win in the opening match of WPL 2026 against MI on Friday in Navi Mumbai.

She slammed 20 runs off the last over to get her side over the line and secure a win by 3 wickets over the defending champions.

"(Last over) we know she [Nadine de Klerk] has that much capacity to score whatever runs are needed in the last over. We just did not bowl one good ball. This happens. We gave her chances, and sometimes, batters come with a strong mindset. We missed those chances. We did everything to win this game, but in the last over, if we could've bowled one good ball, we could have won the match. (Turn around to tomorrow) In WPL, we always get matches like that. If we stay in this game, it will not help us tomorrow. We need to think about what better we can do in the next match. (On the first innings) We did not get a good start in the power play. Hopefully, in the next match, we can sit and discuss how to go about it. It (the pitch) was not easy to bat, but it kept getting better and better," Harmanpreet Kaur said after the match.

The target of 18 runs achieved by RCB is the second most in the final over of a WPL game, only behind 19 by UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants in Navi Mumbai back in 2023.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
Nadine de Klerk was simply brilliant! You can't give a player of her caliber that many chances in the final over. MI's death bowling needs serious work. The powerplay point is valid too, you can't always rely on a late flourish.
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Aman W
Respect to Harmanpreet for taking responsibility. Captain's job is tough. The mindset to move on is crucial in a tournament like WPL. Hope they come back stronger. MI forever!
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Jessica F
As a neutral fan, what a match to start the season! Edge-of-the-seat stuff. De Klerk was ice-cool under pressure. Shows the growing quality and competitiveness of the Women's Premier League. More please!
V
Vikram M
The analysis about the pitch getting better is spot on. Batting second was a big advantage. Sometimes you win the toss, sometimes you lose the match. But defending champions should have closed it out. Bowling 20 runs in the last over is not acceptable at this level.
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Priyanka N
It's just the first match, yaar. No need to panic. The team has champion players. They'll figure it out. Great start for RCB though, Smriti must be thrilled!

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