Analysis | Which WPL team packs more strength? Squad analysis of every WPL team before WPL 2026

Teams like Mumbai Indians retained core players, emphasizing stability, while the UP Warriorz underwent a complete overhaul, focusing on leadership with Meg Lanning and Deepti Sharma.

WPL 2026 will start from January 10, 2026.

Koushik Biswas

Last Updated: 03.42 PM, Jan 04, 2026

As the fourth edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) approaches, the cricketing world is buzzing with anticipation. Following a high-stakes mega auction in late 2025, the five franchises have emerged with drastically different philosophies. While some have opted for "continuity at all costs," others have executed a total cultural and tactical reset.

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Squad analysis of every WPL team

With the season set to kick off on January 10, 2026, in Navi Mumbai and Vadodara, here is an in-depth analysis of how the squads stack up and which team holds the edge.

1. Mumbai Indians: The "backbone" strategy

The defending champions entered the auction with a clear mantra: if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. By retaining the quintet of Harmanpreet Kaur, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Hayley Matthews, Amanjot Kaur, and G. Kamalini, MI secured the most settled core in the league.

The big move: Breaking the bank for Amelia Kerr (₹3.00 Cr) was the masterstroke of their auction. Kerr provides the leg-spin variety they lacked and offers a world-class finishing option with the bat.

Strength: Overwhelming all-round depth. Their top four, Matthews, Kamalini, Sciver-Brunt, and Harmanpreet, can realistically also provide 12 overs of high-quality bowling every single game.

Weakness: Extreme reliance on the "Big Three" overseas stars. If Sciver-Brunt or Matthews hits a slump, the domestic pace unit (beyond Shabnim Ismail) lacks a proven "Plan B."

Full squad: Harmanpreet Kaur, Amanjot Kaur, Amelia Kerr, Hayley Matthews, Kamalini G, Milly Illingworth, Nalla Reddy, Natalie Sciver-Brunt, Nicola Carey, Poonam Khemnar, Rahila Firdous, Saika Ishaque, Sajana S, Sanskriti Gupta, Shabnim Ismail, Triveni Vasistha.

2. UP Warriorz: The great reset

No team transformed more than the Warriorz. After a disappointing 2025, they released almost their entire roster, retaining only Shweta Sehrawat. Their auction strategy, led by Abhishek Nayar, who is also a part of Kolkata Knight Riders’ coaching staff in the Indian Premier League, was surgical, focused on "leadership and spin dominance”.

The big move: Re-acquiring Deepti Sharma (₹3.20 Cr) via RTM and pairing her with Meg Lanning (₹1.90 Cr) was surely the move of the WPL 2026 auction. Lanning brings a winning pedigree that the franchise has desperately lacked. Deepti, now being the No.1 all-rounder in the world and after her Player of the Tournament performance in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, is altogether a different confident player.

Strength: The most lethal spin attack in the competition. On the turning tracks of Vadodara, the trio of Sophie Ecclestone, Deepti Sharma, and Asha Sobhana will be a nightmare for opposition batters. So, 12 overs of tight and accurate spin will be lethal. Along with that, having a versatile and attacking Phoebe Litchfield at the top of the order can give them the runs in the powerplay they have been looking for.

Weakness: The "Captaincy Conundrum” will be a worrying point for UP Warrioz. With Lanning and Deepti both being natural leaders, the team must quickly establish a clear hierarchy to avoid identity issues on the field. Though with her current form, Deepti might be a contender for the leadership role, you surely cannot ignore Meg Lanning when you talk about captaincy roles.

Full squad: Kiran Navgire, Meg Lanning, Phoebe Litchfield, Shweta Sehrawat, Simran Shaikh, Asha Sobhana Joy, Charli Knott, Chloe Tryon, Deandra Dottin, Deepti Sharma, Harleen Deol, Kranti Gaud, Pratika Rawal, Shikha Pandey, Shipra Giri, Sophie Ecclestone, Suman Meena, Trisha Gongadi.

3. Delhi Capitals: The "galactico" top order

Delhi has been the bridesmaid of the WPL, reaching three consecutive finals without a trophy. For 2026, they’ve doubled down on explosive batting, moving Jemimah Rodrigues into the captaincy role to usher in a new era.

The big move: Investing heavily in a "Premium Core" featuring Shafali Verma, Laura Wolvaardt, and Annabel Sutherland. Although they have let go of the legend Meg Lanning, Jemimah can surely gel into that leadership role, with obviously Wolvaardt helping her with the international experience she has. I feel like they will be the team to score the highest score of the season, for sure.

Strength: Explosive power at the top of the order will be Delhi’s biggest strength this season. The opening pair of Shafali and Wolvaardt is arguably the most intimidating in the league, followed by the stability of Jemimah and the finishing of Marizanne Kapp. I would love to see what Deeya Yadav can bring to the team as well - given that she gets a few chances.

Weakness: A relatively thin domestic bowling attack. Beyond Sneh Rana, they are heavily reliant on their overseas seamers to do the heavy lifting in the Powerplay and Death overs. Shree Charani will be hugely influential in this team if they fail to include Alana King in the playing XI.

Full squad: Deeya Yadav, Jemimah Rodrigues, Laura Wolvaardt, Shafali Verma, Chinelle Henry, Marizanne Kapp, Minnu Mani, N. Charani, Niki Prasad, Sneh Rana, Lizelle Lee, Mamatha Madiwala, Taniyaa Bhatia, Alana King, Lucy Hamilton, Nandni Sharma.

4. Royal Challengers Bengaluru: The balance seekers

The 2024 champions struggled in 2025 and have responded by pivoting toward a more robust bowling unit. While the "Smriti-Richa" triumvirate remains the face of the team, the supporting cast has seen a significant upgrade. With Elysse Perry pulling out of WPL 2026, RCB’s battle will be finding the balance in the squad.

The Big move: Signing England pacer Lauren Bell (₹90 Lakh) and Indian all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar (₹85 Lakh) to bolster a historically leaky pace attack.

Strength: Finishing power and chasing would be RCB’s biggest strength in WPL 2026. A lower order featuring Richa Ghosh, Grace Harris, and Nadine de Klerk is a terrifying prospect for any bowler in the final five overs.

Weakness: Middle-order vulnerability might be a worry for the RCB team management. If Mandhana and Georgia Voll fall early, there is a perceived gap in the Indian domestic batting depth before the power-hitters arrive.

Full squad: Georgia Voll, Smriti Mandhana, Arundhati Reddy, Dayalan Hemalatha, Gautami Naik, Grace Harris, Nadine de Klerk, Pooja Vastrakar, Prema Rawat, Radha Yadav, Sayali Satghare, Shreyanka Patil, Prathyoosha Kumar, Richa Ghosh, Lauren Bell, Linsey Smith.

5. Gujarat Giants: The dark horse

Gujarat has often been the "underdog" of the WPL, but their 2026 squad looks significantly more balanced. They have focused on high-utility overseas players and some of the most exciting young Indian talent.

The big move: Acquiring Sophie Devine (₹2.00 Cr) to partner with Beth Mooney at the top, and signing 16-year-old sensation Anushka Sharma (₹45 Lakh) as the costliest uncapped player.

Strength: Versatility. With Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham, and Kim Garth, the Giants have players who can win games with either bat or ball. But it will be interesting to see how they can make all of them play in the playing XI. Along with that, with a good young pace attack of Kashvee Gautam, Titas Sadhu, and Renuka Singh Thakur makes them one of the better bowling lineups of the tournament.

Weakness: The Giants have struggled to find a winning rhythm in past seasons, and the lack of experienced Indian batting depth remains a concern for them.

Full squad: Anushka Sharma, Bharti Fulmali, Danni Wyatt, Ashleigh Gardner, Ayushi Soni, Georgia Wareham, Kanika Ahuja, Kim Garth, Sophie Devine, Tanuja Kanwer, Beth Mooney, Shivani Singh, Yastika Bhatia, Happy Kumari, Kashvee Gautam, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Renuka Singh, Titas Sadhu.

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