Fresh from the euphoria of India's historic ICC World Cup victory, the nation's sporting spotlight now turns to the high-octane arena of women's cricket. The fourth edition of the Women's Premier League (WPL) is set to commence in a few days, promising another season of thrilling action. The tournament will open with a blockbuster clash in Navi Mumbai, where the defending champions, Mumbai Indians, will lock horns with Smriti Mandhana's Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
New Captains and Notable Absences
The upcoming WPL 2026 season brings significant leadership changes for two franchises. The Delhi Capitals, who finished as runners-up three times, have undergone a major shift. After releasing the legendary Meg Lanning last year, they have appointed the dynamic Indian batter Jemimah Rodrigues as their new captain. This marks a new chapter for the Delhi-based team.
On the other hand, the released Meg Lanning has found a new home. She has been announced as the captain of the UP Warriorz, taking over the reins from all-rounder Deepti Sharma. This high-profile move is expected to bolster the Warriorz's campaign significantly.
However, the season will miss two stellar international stars. Both Ellyse Perry (RCB) and Annabel Sutherland (Delhi Capitals) have opted out of WPL 2026 due to personal reasons, which will be a considerable loss for their respective teams.
Complete WPL 2026 Schedule and Venues
The league stage of the tournament will be played across two cities. The initial matches will be held at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The action will then shift to the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Vadodara for the latter part of the league stage and the playoffs.
The tournament opener is scheduled for January 9, 2024, at 7:30 PM IST, featuring Mumbai Indians versus RCB. The league phase comprises 20 matches, culminating in the Eliminator on February 3 and the Grand Final on February 5, both in Vadodara.
Key Fixtures to Watch
January 10: A double-header day with UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants (3:00 PM) followed by Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals (7:30 PM).
January 17: Another double-header featuring UP Warriorz vs Mumbai Indians (3:00 PM) and Delhi Capitals vs RCB (7:30 PM).
January 26: A highly anticipated rematch of the opening game, RCB vs Mumbai Indians in Vadodara.
Squad Updates and Live Streaming Information
The teams have finalized their squads for the competition. Mumbai Indians, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, boast a powerful lineup including Nat Sciver-Brunt and Hayley Matthews. Delhi Capitals, under new skipper Jemimah Rodrigues, have players like Shafali Verma and Marizanne Kapp. Smriti Mandhana's RCB will rely on stars like Richa Ghosh and Shreyanka Patil, albeit without Ellyse Perry. Gujarat Giants, captained likely by Beth Mooney or Ashleigh Gardner, and UP Warriorz, now led by Meg Lanning, round out the competitive field.
For fans eager to catch all the action, Star Sports remains the official television broadcaster. Every match of WPL 2026 will be telecast live on Star Sports channels. Additionally, the live streaming will be available digitally on the JioCinema app and website, ensuring fans can follow the tournament from anywhere.
As the teams gear up in Navi Mumbai, the stage is set for a month-long festival of women's cricket that aims to build on the massive momentum generated by the Indian team's recent global success.
