From having free tickets for spectators in the first season, to this Friday night, at the D.Y. Patil Stadium, WPL has come a long, long way. The opening of WPL 2026, just 68 days after India’s historic ODI World Cup victory at the same venue, brings with it a new zeal. While teams face off for franchise glory, the underlying narrative is of an audition to unearth talents that haven't seen the light of the day for the upcoming T20 World Cup in England.
The Indian think tank is searching for specialists to fill specific gaps, particularly in variety and middle-order depth. Beyond the hunt for a trophy, this season serves as a high-stakes platform for fringe players to prove they are battle-ready for the global stage later this year.
Captains Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana, though leadership partners in the national setup, now lead opposing sides with a shared understanding of the league's impact. Harmanpreet noted that the WPL has played a "very big role in improving women’s cricket," how the talent unearthed here strengthens the national squad.
Mandhana echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the door to the T20 World Cup remains open. "I am sure if there is an exciting talent and someone has got what it takes, and has like an extraordinary season, there will be a place in the T20 World Cup as well," Mandhana said, reinforcing that domestic performance remains a vital selection metric.
India’s search for bowling variety and batting reinforcements is a primary focus this season. The national side still lacks a consistent leg-spinner, making the return of Asha Sobhana; who missed 2025 through injury, particularly important. In the pace department, while Kranti Gaud and Renuka Singh are established, selectors are looking for variations suited for English conditions.
On the batting front, power hitters like Kiran Navgire are under pressure to translate domestic dominance into international impact. The objective is to move beyond one-dimensional options and find specialists who can alter the course of a match during high-pressure global tournaments.
The wicketkeeping pool is another area requiring urgent attention, as Richa Ghosh currently faces limited competition. The development of younger options like G. Kamalini, who is being groomed by Mumbai Indians, could provide the necessary depth India requires. Other young talents, including G. Trisha and 16-year-old Deeya Yadav, are expected to benefit from sharing dressing rooms with international icons.
Success stories like Kranti Gaud and N. Sree Charani, who were scouted through the WPL and became World Cup winners, demonstrate that the league’s scouting systems are successfully identifying talent capable of making an immediate international impact.
Defending champions Mumbai Indians have maintained a stable core, leaning on the consistency of Nat Sciver-Brunt and Hayley Matthews. Their toughest challenge may come from the UP Warriorz, led by Meg Lanning, who boast a versatile bowling attack and firepower in Deandra Dottin.
Conversely, Delhi Capitals face a rebuild after losing key figures like Shikha Pandey and Jess Jonassen. Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be monitoring the fitness of Shreyanka Patil and Pooja Vastrakar closely, as these players balance franchise duties with the necessity of remaining healthy for the World Cup later this year.
The WPL has evolved from a league seeking recognition to a premium commercial property with a digital reach of 446 million. Viewership for the recent World Cup final matched records set by the men’s game, proving that interest in women’s cricket no longer plateaus between major tournaments.
