The countdown to Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 has officially begun, and with just days to go, all five franchises have confirmed their captains for the upcoming season. The fourth edition of the tournament kicks off on January 9, with defending champions Mumbai Indians Women taking on Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women in the opener.
This season will feature 22 matches, with the final scheduled for February 5. Unlike previous editions held in February–March, WPL 2026 has been shifted earlier due to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, set for the same window.
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Mumbai Indians enter the tournament as two-time champions, having edged past Delhi Capitals Women by eight runs in the 2025 final. The recent WPL 2026 mega auction, held in November 2025, saw 67 players—23 of them overseas—picked up, setting the stage for another competitive season. Notably, two teams have also made leadership changes ahead of this edition.
Here’s a clean look at all the captains for WPL 2026.
Mumbai Indians Women – Harmanpreet Kaur
Harmanpreet Kaur will continue to lead Mumbai Indians Women for the fourth straight season. Under her leadership, MI have been the most successful team in WPL history, winning titles in 2023 and 2025.
In the inaugural season, MI defeated Delhi Capitals by seven wickets in the final. Two years later, they once again outclassed DC in a tense summit clash, winning by eight runs. Harmanpreet’s calm decision-making and big-match temperament remain MI’s biggest strengths.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women – Smriti Mandhana
Smriti Mandhana will once again captain Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women in WPL 2026. She famously led RCB to their maiden title in 2024, where the team went on a stunning three-match winning streak in the playoffs.
Although RCB had a forgettable 2025 campaign, the franchise has shown continued faith in Mandhana, who has been retained since the league’s first season for ₹3.40 crore.
Gujarat Giants Women – Ashleigh Gardner
Gujarat Giants Women have backed Ashleigh Gardner as their captain for the 2026 season. The Australian all-rounder was retained for ₹3.50 crore ahead of the mega auction and has been part of the side since 2023.
Gardner also led the Giants last season and guided them to the playoffs, where they were knocked out by Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator. Her all-round impact and leadership experience make her central to Gujarat’s title hopes.
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UP Warriorz Women – Deepti Sharma
UP Warriorz have officially handed over captaincy duties to Deepti Sharma for WPL 2026. The franchise released former skipper Alyssa Healy before the auction and retained Deepti for ₹3.20 crore using the Right to Match (RTM) card.
Interestingly, Deepti had already led the side last season after Healy was ruled out with injury. Her elevation to full-time captain reflects the management’s confidence in her leadership and tactical awareness.
Delhi Capitals Women – Jemimah Rodrigues
Delhi Capitals have made the biggest leadership change this season by appointing Jemimah Rodrigues as their new captain. Delhi Capitals Women released Meg Lanning ahead of WPL 2026, ending her three-season stint as skipper.
Lanning had guided DC to the finals in all three previous editions, but the team finished runners-up each time. With Jemimah at the helm, Delhi will be hoping for a fresh approach and, finally, a title-winning run.
What to Expect in WPL 2026
With a mix of experienced leaders and fresh captaincy calls, WPL 2026 promises intense competition and evolving team dynamics. As women’s cricket continues to grow in India, leadership decisions like these will play a key role in shaping the league’s future.
