WPL 2026: Why did Hayley Matthews miss MI-W vs RCB-W clash?
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Hayley Matthews has played a massive role in Mumbai Indians’ two WPL title wins in 2023 and 2025.
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 kicked off with much anticipation on January 9, as defending champions Mumbai Indians Women (MI-W) faced Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (RCB-W) in the tournament opener at the DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. The clash featured fresh line-ups post the mega auction, new debuts, and a notable absentee that left fans wondering.
MI captain Harmanpreet Kaur confirmed that star West Indies all-rounder Hayley Matthews was unavailable for the match due to illness. The news came as a blow, given Matthews’ pivotal role in MI’s success.
The dynamic batter-bowler has been instrumental in the franchise’s two WPL titles so far, delivering match-winning performances with both bat and ball. Her explosive opening batting, handy off-spin, and fielding prowess made her a cornerstone of the side.
In her absence, not only will MI miss out on an explosive opener, but also a guaranteed four-over bowler, who has a knack of picking up crucial wickets.
Who replaced Hayley Matthews in MI’s XI against RCB in WPL 2026?
With Matthews sidelined, MI handed a WPL debut to Australian all-rounder Nicola Carey. She has represented Australia in 23 ODIs and 27 T20 internationals, and was part of Australia’s winning squad during their ICC T20 World Cups 2018, 2020 and ICC Women’s World Cup 2022.
Young Indian keeper Gunalan Kamalini opened the innings alongside New Zealand’s top all-rounder Amelia Kerr. Harmanpreet expressed confidence in the squad’s balance, noting their strong track record over the past three seasons.
RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana won the toss and opted to bowl first, citing dew and a chasing-friendly venue. She highlighted six debutants in her XI, including overseas stars like Grace Harris, Nadine de Klerk, Linsey Smith, and Lauren Bell, as the team looked refreshed after a mixed previous campaign. Interestingly, the women in red decided to drop Aussie opener Georgia Voll, and have gone bowling heavy.
Why did Hayley Matthews miss the MI-W vs RCB-W WPL 2026 opener?
Hayley Matthews missed the match due to illness, as confirmed by Mumbai Indians Women captain Harmanpreet Kaur at the toss.
Who replaced Hayley Matthews in the MI-W playing XI?
Australian all-rounder Nicola Carey made her WPL debut, coming in as Matthews’ replacement.
Who won the toss in the MI-W vs RCB-W opener?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women captain Smriti Mandhana won the toss and chose to bowl first.
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Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.