Top of the table vs. Defending Champions! Get the most accurate RCB-W vs MI-W Dream11 prediction for Match 16 of WPL 2026. Includes Vadodara pitch deep-dive, confirmed injury news, player battles, and differential picks for Grand League
RCB-W vs MI-W Dream11 Prediction, WPL 2026 Match 16, Vadodara Pitch Report, Smriti Mandhana vs Harmanpreet Kaur, Women’s Premier League Fantasy Tips, BattingFirst.com
Clash of Titans in Vadodara
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 reaches a fever pitch this Monday as the table-toppers, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB-W), lock horns with the defending champions, Mumbai Indians (MI-W).
For RCB, this is about cementing dominance. Despite a recent hiccup against Delhi Capitals, they sit comfortably at #1 with 5 wins from 6 games. For Mumbai, this is a “Code Red” situation. Having lost three consecutive matches, Harmanpreet Kaur’s troops are in a do-or-die battle to keep their playoff destiny in their own hands.
Will RCB’s aggressive batting lineup exploit MI’s struggling bowling attack, or will the “Mumbai Mentality” finally kick in?
Match Overview
| Category | Details |
| Fixture | Royal Challengers Bangalore Women vs Mumbai Indians Women |
| Match No. | Match 16, WPL 2026 |
| Date & Time | Monday, January 26, 2026 |
| Venue | BCA Stadium (Kotambi), Vadodara |
| Live Streaming | JioCinema & Sports18 |
Deep Dive Pitch Report: BCA Stadium, Vadodara
Unlike the spin-heavy tracks of earlier seasons, the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara has evolved into a batting paradise in 2026.
- The “Dew” Factor: Since this is an evening game (7:30 PM), heavy dew is expected in the second innings. This makes the ball skid onto the bat nicely, neutralizing spinners.
- Stat: Chasing teams have won 7 out of 8 games at this venue this season.
- Pace vs. Spin:
- Pacers: Enjoy early swing (overs 1-3) but struggle at the death due to the wet ball.
- Spinners: Must bowl slower through the air; faster spinners are getting punished here.
- Par Score: A total of 175-185 is necessary to compete. Anything under 160 is likely to be chased down comfortably.
Fantasy Tip: Stack your team with Top-order batters from the chasing side and Death-over specialists from the team bowling first.
Team News & Injury Updates
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB-W)
- Ellyse Perry Absence: A reminder that Perry withdrew earlier this season. Her replacement, Sayali Satghare, has filled the void perfectly, offering wicket-taking ability in middle overs.
- Tactical Change: After the loss to DC, expect RCB to bring Renuka Singh back for shorter bursts in the powerplay to hunt for early wickets.
Mumbai Indians (MI-W)
- Squad Update: G. Kamalini is ruled out; Vaishnavi Sharma is likely to retain her spot.
- Form Concern: Shabnim Ismail has been expensive in the death overs. MI might use Nat Sciver-Brunt more in the backend of the innings today.
Probable Playing XIs
Royal Challengers Bangalore Women:
- Smriti Mandhana (C)
- Georgia Voll
- Dayalan Hemalatha
- Grace Harris
- Richa Ghosh (WK)
- Nadine de Klerk
- Shreyanka Patil
- Sayali Satghare
- Arundhati Reddy
- Lauren Bell
- Linsey Smith
Mumbai Indians Women:
- Hayley Matthews
- Yastika Bhatia (if fit) / Sajeevan Sajana
- Nat Sciver-Brunt
- Harmanpreet Kaur (C)
- Amelia Kerr
- Amanjot Kaur
- Pooja Vastrakar
- Sajeevan Sajana
- Shabnim Ismail
- Saika Ishaque
- Vaishnavi Sharma
Key Player Battles (The Game Changers)
This data is crucial for deciding which big players to drop or captain.
- Smriti Mandhana vs. Hayley Matthews
- Mandhana struggles against off-spin early on. Matthews has dismissed her 3 times in T20s. If Mandhana survives the first 2 overs of spin, expect a big score.
- Harmanpreet Kaur vs. Shreyanka Patil
- Harmanpreet loves using her feet, but Shreyanka’s drift has troubled her. In their last meeting, Shreyanka trapped her LBW.
- Richa Ghosh vs. Amelia Kerr
- Richa scores at a strike rate of 150+ against leg-spin, but Kerr’s googly is the threat. This is a high-risk, high-reward matchup.
Fantasy Cricket Strategy: WPL Match 16
1. Must-Have Picks (Small Leagues)
- Nat Sciver-Brunt (MI): She bats at #3 and bowls 4 overs. The safest captaincy choice in the game.
- Smriti Mandhana (RCB): The Orange Cap contender. On a flat Vadodara deck, you simply cannot leave her out.
- Amelia Kerr (MI): Even when MI loses, Kerr guarantees 50-60 fantasy points through wickets and late runs.
- Grace Harris (RCB): Her power-hitting is tailor-made for this venue’s short boundaries.
2. Differential Picks (Grand League Winners)
- Sayali Satghare (RCB): Selected by less than 30% of users. She bowls in the middle phase where batters try to accelerate, increasing her wicket potential.
- Sajeevan Sajana (MI): If MI’s top order collapses again, Sajana’s finishing ability could earn you massive points.
RCB-W vs MI-W Dream11 Team Prediction
Structure: 1 WK – 3 BAT – 4 AR – 3 BOWL
- Wicket-Keeper: Richa Ghosh
- Batters: Smriti Mandhana (VC), Harmanpreet Kaur, Georgia Voll
- All-Rounders: Nat Sciver-Brunt (C), Hayley Matthews, Amelia Kerr, Nadine de Klerk
- Bowlers: Shreyanka Patil, Lauren Bell, Sayali Satghare
(Note: If MI bowls first, consider making Amelia Kerr the Vice-Captain)
Final Prediction: Who Will Win?
Historically, the Head-to-Head record is locked at 4-4. However, current form heavily favors Bangalore. MI’s bowling lacks teeth without a firing Shabnim Ismail.
Prediction: RCB-W to win.
However, if MI wins the toss and opts to chase, the dew factor levels the playing field significantly.
Next Steps for You:
- Check the Toss: Teams chasing have a 85% win rate here. Update your team immediately after the toss at 7:00 PM IST.
- Grand League Tip: Try a team where you drop Harmanpreet Kaur and take Lauren Bell as Captain, banking on an MI top-order collapse.
