The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 has generated massive excitement as one of the top women’s cricket tournaments in the world. Featuring elite players from India and abroad, this season will see five competitive teams battle it out from January 9 to February 5, 2026. Each franchise has crafted a strong squad with a mix of international stars and rising Indian talent.
From strategic captains to impactful all rounders, WPL 2026 promises thrilling cricket action, fierce rivalries, and standout performances. This guide will break down all five WPL teams with their owners, companies, and full squad lists. Whether you’re a dedicated fan or new to the league, this article gives you all the essentials ahead of the big tournament.
Women Premier League Teams List:
The Women’s Premier League 2026 features five franchise teams, each owned by prominent businessmen and corporations in India. Below is a quick reference table showing each team’s owner and their company details, giving you a clearer picture of the high profile backers behind the league.
| Team Name | Owner Name | Company | Captain |
| Gujarat Giants | Gautam Adani | Adani Sportsline | Ashleigh Gardner |
| Mumbai Indians Women | Mukesh Ambani (via Nita Ambani as team head) | Reliance Industries | Harmanpreet Kaur |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women | Vijay Mallya originally founded the RCB brand, now owned by Diageo | Diageo India | Smriti Mandhana |
| Delhi Capitals Women | Parth Jindal (JSW) & Kiran Kumar Grandhi (GMR) | JSW–GMR Cricket Pvt Ltd | Jemimah Rodrigues |
| UP Warriorz | Rajesh Sharma | Capri Global Holdings | Meg Lanning |
Squad List of Teams of WPL:
Below is a detailed look at the full player squads for all five WPL 2026 franchises. Each section highlights key players named in the playing XI and supporting squad after the mega auction, mixing international experience with homegrown talent.
1. Mumbai Indians Women:
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The Mumbai Indians Women’s squad balances power hitters, crafty all rounders, and dependable bowlers. Led by seasoned campaigner Harmanpreet Kaur, MI Women aim for consistency and impact.
| Player Name | Role |
| Harmanpreet Kaur (c) | All rounder |
| Nat Sciver‑Brunt | All rounder |
| Hayley Matthews | All rounder |
| Amelia Kerr | All rounder |
| Amanjot Kaur | Bowler |
| Shabnim Ismail | Bowler |
| Sanskriti Gupta | Bowler |
| Saika Ishaque | Bowler |
| Poonam Khemnar | Bowler |
| Nicola Carey | All rounder |
| Triveni Vasistha | Batter |
| Nalla Reddy | All rounder |
| Milly Illingworth | Bowler |
| Sajeevan Sajana | Bowler |
| Rahila Firdous | All rounder |
2. Delhi Capitals Women:
The Delhi Capitals Women combine aggressive batting and varied bowling options. With Jemimah Rodrigues at the helm, DC Women have both established stars and emerging performers.
| Player Name | Role |
| Jemimah Rodrigues (c) | Batter |
| Shafali Verma | Batter |
| Annabel Sutherland | All rounder |
| Marizanne Kapp | All rounder |
| Niki Prasad | Bowler |
| Laura Wolvaardt | Batter |
| Chinelle Henry | Bowler |
| Shree Charani | Bowler |
| Sneh Rana | Bowler |
| Minnu Mani | Bowler |
| Taniya Bhatia | Wicketkeeper |
| Deeya Yadav | Bowler |
| Mamatha Madiwala | All rounder |
| Nandani Sharma | Bowler |
| Lucy Hamilton | Batter |
| Lizelle Lee | Batter |
3. Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women:
RCB Women feature a balanced blend of world class talent and exciting young players, with Smriti Mandhana leading from the front. Their lineup is built to challenge for the title.
| Player Name | Role |
| Smriti Mandhana (c) | Batter |
| Richa Ghosh | Wicketkeeper |
| Ellyse Perry | All rounder |
| Nadine de Klerk | Bowler |
| Georgia Voll | Batter |
| Lauren Bell | Bowler |
| Linsey Smith | Bowler |
| Radha Yadav | Bowler |
| Prema Rawat | Batter |
| Arundhati Reddy | All rounder |
| Pooja Vastrakar | All rounder |
| Grace Harris | All rounder |
| Shreyanka Patil | Batter |
| Gautami Naik | Bowler |
| Prathyoosha Kumar | Bowler |
4. Gujarat Giants Women:
Gujarat Giants Women showcase versatile players with strong batting depth and bowling options. Captain Ashleigh Gardner anchors this squad packed with experience.
| Player Name | Role |
| Ashleigh Gardner (c) | All rounder |
| Beth Mooney | Batter |
| Sophie Devine | All rounder |
| Georgia Wareham | Bowler |
| Renuka Singh | Bowler |
| Yastika Bhatia | Batter |
| Kashvee Gautam | Bowler |
| Anushka Sharma | All rounder |
| Kim Garth | All rounder |
| Tanuja Kanwar | Bowler |
| Bharti Fulmali | Bowler |
| Ayushi Soni | All rounder |
| Happy Kumari | All rounder |
| Shivani Singh | All rounder |
| Rajeshwari Gayakwad | Bowler |
| Titas Sadhu | Bowler |
5. UP Warriorz Women:
The UP Warriorz Women mix explosive batting and strategic bowling depth. Led by experienced international Meg Lanning, this squad aims to surprise opponents throughout WPL 2026.
| Player Name | Role |
| Meg Lanning (c) | Batter |
| Deepti Sharma | All rounder |
| Shweta Sehrawat | Batter |
| Sophie Ecclestone | Bowler |
| Phoebe Litchfield | Batter |
| Shikha Pandey | Bowler |
| Deandra Dottin | All rounder |
| Kiran Navgire | All rounder |
| Harleen Deol | All rounder |
| Kranti Gaud | Bowler |
| Tara Norris | Bowler |
| Chloe Tryon | All rounder |
| Shipra Giri | All rounder |
| Simran Shaikh | Bowler |
| Suman Meena | Batter |
| G Trisha | Batter |
| Pratika Rawal | Bowler |
When will the Women’s Premier League 2026 start?
The Women’s Premier League 2026 is set to begin on January 9, 2026. The opening match will take place at Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai, where the Mumbai Indians Women will face off against the Delhi Capitals Women. This high profile match will set the tone for the thrilling month long competition, which will run until February 5, 2026.
The opening game at Brabourne Stadium is expected to draw huge crowds, with fans eagerly anticipating the intense competition. The 2026 season promises to bring world class cricket to Indian stadiums, and viewers can look forward to top notch performances from the star studded lineups.
Team Strategies of WPL 2026:
As the Women’s Premier League 2026 approaches, each team has devised distinct strategies to maximize its chances of success. Here are five strategies that define the teams for WPL 2026:
- Mumbai Indians Women (MI Women):
- Strategy: MI Women will focus on strong all rounders to provide depth in both batting and bowling. Harmanpreet Kaur will lead with an aggressive yet composed approach to both attack and defense.
- Key Focus: Dominance in the powerplay overs and tactical bowling changes.
- Key Players: Harmanpreet Kaur, Nat Sciver Brunt, Hayley Matthews.
- Delhi Capitals Women (DC Women):
- Strategy: DC Women’s key strategy will involve aggressive batting, with a focus on quick runs in the first 10 overs. The team will use a mix of pace and spin to control the middle overs.
- Key Focus: Quick transitions between batting and fielding, with strong death over specialists.
- Key Players: Jemimah Rodrigues, Marizanne Kapp, Shafali Verma.
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (RCB Women):
- Strategy: RCB Women are focusing on an explosive top order batting lineup, with Smriti Mandhana leading the charge. The aim will be to set high totals, backed by a disciplined bowling unit to defend them.
- Key Focus: Aggression from the opening batsmen and middle over partnerships.
- Key Players: Smriti Mandhana, Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghosh.
- Gujarat Giants Women (Gujarat Giants):
- Strategy: Gujarat Giants will build around strategic spin bowling, using players like Georgia Wareham to dominate the middle overs. They also aim for stability in the batting with partnerships forming throughout the innings.
- Key Focus: Building partnerships while keeping wickets intact, with an emphasis on bowlers’ versatility.
- Key Players: Ashleigh Gardner, Beth Mooney, Renuka Singh.
- UP Warriorz Women (UP Warriorz):
- Strategy: UP Warriorz will emphasize a balance between aggressive batting and disciplined bowling. With Meg Lanning as captain, their strategy is to leverage big hitting capabilities and consistent bowling in the middle overs.
- Key Focus: All rounder dominance and adapting quickly to match situations.
- Key Players: Meg Lanning, Sophie Ecclestone, Deepti Sharma.
Each team’s strategy for WPL 2026 will play a significant role in shaping the course of the tournament. With fierce competition and a mix of experienced and emerging talent, the strategies are expected to make the 2026 season one of the most exciting yet.
Key Players to Watch in WPL 2026:
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 will showcase some of the best female cricketers from around the world, each bringing their unique flair to the tournament. Here are some key players to keep an eye on this season:
Harmanpreet Kaur (MI Women): As the captain of the Mumbai Indians Women, Harmanpreet Kaur will be a pivotal figure in the team’s strategy. Known for her explosive batting and tactical leadership, she is one of the most valuable all rounders in women’s cricket.
Smriti Mandhana (RCB Women): The stylish left handed opener will be a key player for Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women. Mandhana’s ability to anchor the innings while accelerating when required makes her an asset in the top order.
Jemimah Rodrigues (DC Women): A key batter for Delhi Capitals Women, Jemimah’s technique and consistency in the middle order will be crucial to the team’s success, especially in pressure situations.
Ashleigh Gardner (Gujarat Giants): An all rounder from Australia, Ashleigh brings experience and dynamism to the Gujarat Giants’ squad. Her aggressive batting and effective bowling will be pivotal in both powerplay and middle overs.
Meg Lanning (UP Warriorz): The experienced Australian batter will lead UP Warriorz with a calm and composed approach. Lanning’s vast experience at the international level will help guide the team through critical moments in the competition.
These players not only bring immense skill but also leadership qualities that can have a direct impact on the success of their respective teams. Keeping track of their performances throughout the season will be key to understanding the league’s most exciting matchups.
Conclusion:
The Women’s Premier League 2026 has set the stage for its most competitive season yet with five franchises finalizing strong, balanced squads after the player auction. Each team brings together international stars and emerging Indian talent, creating a dynamic mix that promises high‑intensity cricket throughout the tournament.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women blend youth and experience; Gujarat Giants Women boast strategic depth; and UP Warriorz Women bring a blend of power hitters and bowling variety. As the league continues to grow, the WPL is reinforcing women’s cricket’s global appeal and inspiring the next generation of players.
FAQs:
1. How many teams are there in the WPL 2026?
Five teams are competing in the Women’s Premier League 2026 season, each representing major cities in India.
2. Who are some marquee players in WPL 2026?
Top players include Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Sophie Devine, and Amelia Kerr, among others.
3. When does WPL 2026 start and end?
The WPL 2026 season is scheduled from January 9 to February 5, 2026.
4. Are international players part of the WPL squads?
Yes, each squad features international stars alongside Indian players to enhance competition and viewership.
5. Where can fans watch WPL 2026 matches?
WPL matches are widely broadcast on sports networks and available on online streaming platforms, reaching fans globally.