The 2026 Indian Premier League season got underway at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, where Royal Challengers Bengaluru faced Sunrisers Hyderabad, with several Women’s Premier League stars present in the stands. Smriti Mandhana, Shreyanka Patil and Jemimah Rodrigues were spotted at the venue, supporting RCB during the opening match.
This marked the third time that the Chinnaswamy Stadium has hosted an IPL season opener, with the previous instance coming in 2011 when Royal Challengers Bangalore played Kochi Tuskers.
WPL Stars in Attendance
Mandhana and Shreyanka, both key figures in RCB’s Women’s Premier League setup, received strong support from the home crowd. The duo were part of the franchise’s title-winning campaign in the 2024 WPL season, when RCB women secured their first title, and they repeated the achievement in the 2026 edition.
Mandhana, who leads the side, has been a central figure in their success. She also became the first captain to win the WPL title and the Orange Cap in the same season. Shreyanka Patil, meanwhile, has contributed as a consistent all-rounder, particularly with her performances as a spinner.
Jemimah Rodrigues, though not associated with RCB in the WPL, was also present at the ground. She gained attention following her performances in the 2025 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, including a key innings in the semi-final against Australia. Rodrigues also led Delhi Capitals in the 2026 WPL season, where the team finished third with eight points.
Strong Home Support for RCB
The atmosphere at the Chinnaswamy Stadium reflected the anticipation surrounding the defending champions’ return to their home ground. Fans turned out in large numbers to support Royal Challengers Bengaluru, hoping the side led by Rajat Patidar can build on their success and add another title.
