WPL 2026 favourites: A closer look at the two teams best placed to challenge for the championship.
As the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 gears up for another thrilling edition, defending champions Mumbai Indians Women (MI-W) enter as favourites, bolstered by their championship pedigree and a retained core that few rivals can match.
Close behind, Delhi Capitals Women (DC-W) have assembled a batting powerhouse capable of explosive totals, making them a formidable challenger despite some bowling concerns.
While Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (RCB-W) remain strong, their reliance on Indian talent post Ellyse Perry’s departure edges them out of the top two spots.
Read More: Top 5 players to watch out for in WPL 2026
Here’s why MI-W and DC-W stand out as the prime contenders.
Dominant Mumbai Indians
Mumbai Indians’ blueprint for success in WPL 2026 mirrors their proven formula: depth, balance, and star power. As the team to win the title last season, and two times overall, MI-W know the championship path intimately. Their masterstroke was retaining a rock-solid core despite finishing strongly last year, allowing them to build without major disruptions.
The top order screams firepower. New India sensation Gunalan Kamalini, fresh off her international debut, could slot in higher up after thriving lower down for MI-W last season. They can pair her with Hayley Matthews, the Barbadian all-rounder who’s a consistent top run-scorer and wicket-taker in WPL and T20Is.
Nat Sciver-Brunt, another MVP-caliber performer, adds English flair and reliability, she’s always among the runs wherever she plays. She is also the franchise’s all-time leading run-scorer with 1,027 runs in 29 innings across 29 matches at a strike rate of 141.85 and average of 46.68, including eight half-centuries.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur likely anchors at number four, with Amanjot Kaur or Amelia Kerr providing flexibility. This lineup blends youth, experience, and explosiveness, minimising weaknesses.
Mumbai’s bowling attack is equally versatile. Shabnim Ismail leads the pacers with raw pace, backed by Poonam Khamkar and the young England prospect Millie Illingworth, a 20-year-old all-rounder whose raw pace and lower-order hitting fill a long-sought gap.
Spinners Saika Ishaque, Sanskruti Gupta, and Amelia Kerr offer control, while Nicole Faltum and Carey deepen the reserves.
Saika is expected to anchor the spin attack as she is Mumbai Indians’ fourth-highest wicket-taker with 25 scalps in 22 innings across 22 matches at an average of 20.68 and economy of 7.62, including a four-wicket haul.
Read More:Â Top 5 young players to watch out for in WPL 2026
Delhi Capitals boast batting depth & form
Delhi Capitals, finalists last year, have levelled up for 2026 with additions that amplify their strengths. Their top-heavy batting could post 200-plus totals regularly, offsetting bowling tweaks needed post-auction.
Shafali Verma headlines, fresh off 400+ T20I runs for India this year, including a Player-of-the-Series performance: 236 in five matches against Sri Lanka. Laura Wolvaardt, the World Cup’s leading run-scorer, joins her, with Jemimah Rodrigues in peak form at three.
Marizanne Kapp, at number four, brings all-round heft as a handy batter. Depth follows: domestic star Nikki Prasad can tonk the ball, while Chinelle Henry, West Indies’ elite all-rounder, excels with both bat and ball. This unit thrives on aggression, turning starts into massive totals.
Spin looks world-class as well. Alana King ranks among the best globally, Sneh Rana adds variety, and Sri Chakru, India debutant last year, snared four wickets in two DC-W games.
Taniya Bhatia handles keeping, with Minnu Mani and others as high-value backups. Pace relies on Kapp and Henry for heavy lifting, plus Nandani Sharma’s promising right-arm medium-fast. Sri Chakru’s breakthrough adds bite.
The only concern for Delhi could be their death bowling depth, especially without Shikha Pandey. If young India stars step up or Kapp/Henry dominate, the attack gels; otherwise, it tests their adaptability.
Delhi’s batting firepower gives them an ominous edge, they can chase big or set par scores effortlessly. With final experience last season, they’re built to go one better this season.
Why these two?
Mumbai Indians top the billing for their smart retention, all-phase balance, and title-winning nous. No team matches their core stability or reserve strength.
Delhi Capitals challenge hardest with batting that overwhelms and enough bowling nous to compete, though pace execution will decide crunch moments. Bengaluru’s India-heavy squad hinges on breakthroughs like Smriti Mandhana’s, but Delhi’s additions tip the scales.
Read More:Â Major buys & omissions at WPL 2026 Auction: How the teams stack up
