The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 is here. And it begins on January 9, 2026.
The captains are ready. The head coaches have prepared their strategies. And all teams are raring to go out on the field.
But before that, we need to look at the strengths and weaknesses of all WPL teams. Here’s a closer look at what each team has and what they lack in WPL 2026.
Delhi Capitals
Strengths: The biggest strength for Delhi Capitals (DC) have been their batting lineup. While DC didn’t retain Meg Lanning, they have a star-studded batting lineup.
Shafali Verma, as always, could provide quick starts, while Laura Wolvaardt could provide stability from the other end. Lizelle Lee comes to her first WPL with plenty of runs in WBBL 2025.
Then there’s new captain Jemimah Rodrigues in the middle order, who can switch gears as per the situation. Chinelle Henry could provide the finishing touches with her power-packed knocks. Deeya Yadav could be a game-changer with her hard-hitting skills as well.
Marizanne Kapp is a valuable all-rounder, chipping in with her pace bowling and sensible batting.
DC’s spin attack is quite experienced, too. Sneh Rana could be crucial with her off-spin and handy batting lower down the order. Rana will have Shree Charani, Minnu Mani, and Alana King to assist.
Weaknesses: DC could be over-reliant on overseas fast bowlers. With Shikha Pandey no longer in their squad, they lack Indian seam bowling options.
If by chance any of their overseas picks doesn’t click or, worse, suffers injury, they may find it difficult to find the right replacement.
Gujarat Giants
Strengths: Gujarat Giants flex a star-studded overseas contingent. The biggest strength for them is, of course, their captain, Ashleigh Gardner. Gardner, along with Georgia Wareham, could be potent for GG in the spin department.
Speaking of their batters, Beth Mooney and Sophie Devine could provide a great start in the powerplay.
In the pace department, their Australian import, Kim Garth, will likely share the new ball with Renuka Singh. The duo can swing the new ball.
Bharti Fulmali could be a destroyer with the bat, with her WPL strike rate above 150. Kanika Ahuja can produce valuable knocks at the end while also contributing with her off-spin.
Weaknesses: The Giants don’t have a reliable cushion for Gardner and Wareham in the spin department.
Although they have Tanuja Kanwar, one of their top wicket-takers, her left-arm spin lacks variety. They also have another left-arm spin option in Rajeshwari Gayakwad, but she isn’t up to the mark of late.
GG could also be over-reliant on Garth and Renuka, with Titas Sadhu and Kashvee Gautam not yet proven pacers.
While the Giants have experienced overseas batters, they may struggle to field a trustworthy local batter.
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Mumbai Indians
Strengths: Mumbai Indians (MI) walk in as clear favourites. And the main reason behind it is their strong core. That’s why they have won two of the three previous seasons.
The core comprises top-class all-rounders like Hayley Matthews, Nat Sciver-Brunt, and Amelia Kerr. Each one of them is pretty much capable of contributing with bat and ball.
Harmanpreet Kaur, Amanjot Kaur, and Sajeevan Sajana further boost their batting efforts while also giving handy overs with the ball.
Shabnim Ismail can come hard at batters with her express pace, while Saika Ishaque can spin the web with her left-arm spin.
Weaknesses: While MI have almost covered all bases, they might face trouble in the pace department. Ismail doesn’t have a reliable partner.
Although they have the experienced Nicola Carey, her international numbers aren’t too impressive. If Ismail fails to find her rhythm, Sciver-Brunt might have to do extra work.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Strengths: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will bank on their in-form captain, Smriti Mandhana. The left-hander comes on the back of a solid 2025.
Georgia Voll and Grace Harris solidify their middle order in the absence of Ellyse Perry. Richa Ghosh and Nadine de Klerk add the firepower to their batting lineup.
RCB’s spin attack is pretty strong. They have added England’s left-arm spinner Linsey Smith, who could dictate the terms in the middle overs.
Shreyanka Patil returns to further solidify the spin department, along with the additions of Radha Yadav and Prema Rawat.
Their pace attack also looks lethal. Lauren Bell, Arundhati Reddy, and hopefully a fit Pooja Vastrakar could make things difficult for the opponents at the start and end.
Weaknesses: Since Perry won’t be there, RCB’s middle order lacks a dependable batter. Plus, their Indian recruits are inconsistent. So Mandhana needs to do the heavy lifting up top.
UP Warriorz
Strengths: UP Warriorz (UPW) have a solid team on paper. The big boost for them is their experienced captain, Meg Lanning.
Lanning has been among the top run-scorers in the WPL. Her reliable runs at the top could result in solid starts.
Phoebe Litchfield can further up the strike rate in the powerplay, with Harleen Deol, Kiran Navgire, and Simran Shaikh to follow. Navgire, Shaikh, and Deandra Dottin, particularly, can strike hard with the bat.
Deepti Sharma and Sophie Ecclestone strengthen their spin department with their accurate line and length. Shikha Pandey, meanwhile, brings her experience to the pace attack, which also includes Kranti Gaud.
Weaknesses: While Pandey will lead UPW’s pace attack, there aren’t many options. Gaud could give another four overs, along with Pandey’s four, but if one of them has a bad day or goes down, then there’s no one experienced to fall back on.
While Dottin can fill in four overs, she isn’t a reliable option. Their Indian recruit, Suman Meena, is promising, though she lacks experience.
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