TATA WPL 2026: Meet the Skippers Powering Five Franchises

By: WE Staff

As the TATA Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 gears up for another blockbuster season, the spotlight once again turns to the captains who define their franchises with leadership, resilience, and match-winning vision. The fourth edition of India’s premier women’s T20 league promises high-octane action, beginning on January 9, 2026, and running through a tightly packed schedule featuring double-header matchdays that keep fans engaged from afternoon to night. With five competitive teams battling for supremacy, the WPL 2026 continues to strengthen its reputation as a global stage for elite women’s cricket.

Matches will be played across iconic Indian venues, DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai & BCA Stadium, Vadodara, with tickets available through the official WPL app/website, Zomato District, BookMyShow & Paytm Insider, while fans worldwide can tune in via the leading digital streaming platform JioHotstar app and television broadcaster Star Sports Channel.

Building on the legacy of previous seasons, the tournament carries forward the pride of past champions who have set benchmarks with title-winning campaigns and unforgettable performances. As teams aim to etch their names into WPL history, the captains will play a defining role in shaping strategies, inspiring squads, and handling pressure moments.

The Women Entrepreneurs Review team brings you five distinctive franchise-led captains, each reflecting the power, grit, and gameplay embodied by their leaders including Mumbai Indians led by Harmanpreet Kaur, Delhi Capitals by Jemimah Rodrigues, Royal Challengers Bengaluru by Smriti Mandhana, Gujarat Giants by Ashleigh Gardner, and UP Warriorz by Meg Lanning captains who define the competitive edge and identity of TATA WPL 2026.

Harmanpreet Kaur: Mumbai Indians

Harmanpreet Kaur continues to be the driving force behind the Mumbai Indians as they step into TATA WPL 2026 as defending champions and the league’s most successful franchise. Having led MI since the tournament’s inception, Harmanpreet’s captaincy has shaped a culture of fearless, attacking cricket and delivered two titles in three seasons. Her calm authority and consistent performances have made her the most accomplished leader in WPL history. For 2026, Mumbai’s approach centres on stability and intent, retaining their trusted match-winners while maintaining an aggressive brand of play. By backing a strong core of proven international stars alongside emerging domestic talent, Harmanpreet once again leads a balanced, flexible squad focused on a single objective: extending the Mumbai Indians’ dominance with another championship run.