TATA WPL 2026: Most Anticipated Players' Comeback from Injury

By: WE Staff

The TATA Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 has arrived with an unmatched buzz, reaffirming its status as one of the most exciting tournaments in global women’s cricket. In just a few seasons, the WPL has transformed the landscape of the game, giving women cricketers a powerful platform to express themselves, compete at the highest level, and inspire millions. From fearless batting displays and match-winning spells to electric fielding and leadership moments, women's players have consistently delivered their best on the field, turning matches into spectacles and building a loyal fan base that now spans the globe.

As the 2026 season gets started on Friday, January 9, anticipation is at an all-time high. Fans, analysts, and young aspirants alike are eagerly waiting to witness another chapter of high-class cricket, packed stadiums, and viral moments. Adding to the excitement is the return of several class players who were forced to miss last year’s action due to injuries. Their absence was deeply felt, and their comeback promises to elevate the quality and intensity of the tournament even further.

With viewers keenly looking forward to these much-awaited returns, the Women Entrepreneurs Review team lists four impactful Indian Players Making a Comeback in WPL 2026 you should hoot for: Shreyanka Patil (RCB), Pooja Vastrakar (RCB), Asha Sobhana (UPW), and Yastika Bhatia (GG).

Shreyanka Patil

Shreyanka Patil emerged as one of the WPL’s brightest stars with her fearless off-spin and match-winning impact for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. After an impressive debut in 2023, she enjoyed a breakthrough 2024 season, finishing as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker and playing a key role in RCB’s maiden WPL title, including a defining dismissal of Harmanpreet Kaur in the eliminator. Her attacking mindset, consistency, and vibrant on-field presence made her a fan favourite. A shin injury ruled her out of WPL 2025, leaving a noticeable gap in RCB’s bowling. Now fully fit, her comeback in WPL 2026 is keenly awaited, with expectations of her resuming the role of RCB’s strike spinner.

Pooja Vastrakar

Pooja Vastrakar has been one of the WPL’s most impactful seam-bowling all-rounders, admired for her pace, power hitting, and calmness in pressure situations. During the 2023 and 2024 seasons, she played a vital role for the Mumbai Indians by providing early breakthroughs and valuable lower-order runs, earning praise for her versatility and fighting spirit. A prolonged stress injury and shoulder surgery ruled her out of the entire 2025 season, disrupting MI’s balance. After an extended rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence, she has been signed by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the WPL 2026 auction. Her return is keenly awaited, with expectations of her adding depth and experience to RCB’s pace attack and batting line-up.

Asha Sobhana

Indian leg-spinner Asha Sobhana will feature for UP Warriorz in WPL 2026 after being snapped up for Rs 1.10 crore, a historic milestone that made her the first woman cricketer from Kerala to cross the Rs 1 crore mark in the league’s auctions. Previously with RCB, she was a key figure in their 2024 title-winning campaign, claiming 17 wickets and scripting history with the first five-wicket haul by an Indian in WPL. A knee injury later halted her momentum, ruling her out of an entire season. Now backed by UP Warriorz, her return is keenly awaited, with expectations of her leading the spin attack alongside Deepti Sharma and rediscovering her fearless, match-turning best.

Yastika Bhatia

Yastika Bhatia made a composed entry into the WPL with the Mumbai Indians in 2023, establishing herself as a dependable left-handed wicketkeeper-batter. Her calm presence at the top, strong technique against spin, and ability to build partnerships added stability to MI’s batting, while her sharp glovework impressed behind the stumps. A left knee injury later sidelined her, forcing her to miss an entire season of WPL 2025 and even the 2025 Women’s World Cup, creating a clear void. Gujarat Giants showed faith by signing her for Rs 50 lakh ahead of WPL 2026. Now fit again, she is expected to anchor GG’s batting and strengthen their wicketkeeping unit with experience and poise.