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Smriti Mandhana-led RCB create history; become the 1st women's team to do so  

Sakshi Sharma

RCB Women to train at Wankhede Stadium (Source: AFP)RCB Women to train at Wankhede Stadium (Source: AFP)

In a significant development, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) women's team, led by captain Smriti Mandhana, will conduct a practice session at Mumbai's iconic Wankhede Stadium on January 2, 2026 ahead of WPL 2026. 

The nets session is likely scheduled from 4 pm to 7 pm, marking the first time a WPL team will practice at the historic venue.

RCB Women to train at Wankhede on January 2

According to a report by the Times of India journalist Gaurav Gupta, the session comes as a part of RCB's preparations for the upcoming WPL 2026 season, which is set to begin on January 9 at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. 

"Yes, the RCB women’s team will undergo a practice session at the Wankhede Stadium on January 2 from 4 pm to 7 pm. This will be the first time a WPL team will practise at this stadium." a source in the Mumbai Cricket Association said.

RCB will face defending champions, Mumbai Indians Women (MI), in the opening match of the WPL 2026 season. Mumbai have won two out of the three previous WPL editions, while RCB have lifted the trophy once.

While ICC guidelines mandate a 30-day gap between official matches before the T20 World Cup 2026, this rule does not apply to practice sessions, allowing RCB to make use of the Wankhede Stadium. 

The first official T20 World Cup 2026 match at the Wankhede Stadium is scheduled for February 7, shortly after the conclusion of the WPL 2026. 

The upcoming nets session at Wankhede will provide RCB with a unique opportunity to understand the pitch and conditions ahead of their high-profile season opener.

WPL 2026 schedule

The 2026 WPL season is scheduled to run from January 9 to February 5, making it a compact 28-day tournament. The coming year, WPL will be held across two venues: Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium and Vadodara’s Kotambi Stadium. 

The first 11 matches, including two double-headers, will be played in Navi Mumbai, while the remaining 11 matches, including the eliminator and the grand final on February 5, will take place in Vadodara.