The countdown to WPL 2026 has started, with the tournament set from January 9 to February 5 across Navi Mumbai and Vadodara.
Five teams are set for the new season: Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz. Their squads were finalised in the recent mega auction.
This blog takes you through each WPL 2026 team, their past record, key players and the important picks they made for 2026.
WPL 2026 Teams and Their Squads
In the recent WPL 2026 mega auction, all five teams picked the players they trust most, shaping their plans for a strong season.
| Team | Players |
|---|---|
| Mumbai Indians | Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur, Hayley Matthews, Amanjot Kaur, G Kamalini, Amelia Kerr, Shabnim Ismail, Sanskriti Gupta, Sajeevan Sajana, Rahila Firdous, Nicola Carey, Poonam Khemnar, Triveni Vasistha, Nalla Reddy, Saika Ishaque, Milly Illingworth, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Ayushi Soni |
| Delhi Capitals | Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Annabel Sutherland, Marizanne Kapp, Niki Prasad, Laura Wolvaardt, Chinelle Henry, Sree Charani, Sneh Rana, Lizelee Lee, Deeya Yadav, Taniya Bhatia, Mamatha Madiwala, Nandani Sharma, Minnu Mani, Lucy Hamilton. Minnu Maani, G Trisha, Pratika Rawal |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Smriti Mandhana, Sophie Molineux, Richa Ghosh, Ellyse Perry, Shreyanka Patil, Lauren Bell, Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Grace Harris, Nadine de Klerk, Radha Yadav, Georgia Voll, Linsey Smith, D Hemalatha, Prema Rawat, Gautami Naik, Prathyoosha Kumar |
| Gujarat Giants | Ashleigh Gardner, Beth Mooney, Sophie Devine, Renuka Singh, Bharti Fulmali (RTM), Titas Sadhu, Kanika Ahuja, Kashvee Gautam (RTM), Tanuja Kanwar, Georgia Wareham, Anushka Sharma, Happy Kumari, Kim Garth, Yastika Bhatia, Shivani Singh, Danni Wyatt-Hodge |
| UP Warriorz | Shweta Sehrawat, Deepti Sharma (RTM), Sophie Ecclestone (RTM), Meg Lanning, Phoebe Litchfield, Kiran Navgire (RTM), Harleen Deol, Kranti Goud (RTM), Asha Sobhana, Deandra Dottin, Shikha Pandey, Shipra Giri, Simran Shaikh, Tara Norris, Chloe Tryon, Suman Meena |
Let us have a brief look at the past team performance of all the WPL 2026 teams:
1. Mumbai Indians (MI)
The Mumbai Indians have stayed strong since the first WPL season. They won the title in 2023 and again in 2025, demonstrating how well they retain their shape across long tournaments.
Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Hayley Matthews form the core of their group. Their best team score came in 2025, when they reached 213/4, built on clean hitting and calm decision-making.
They lifted the 2025 trophy after beating the Delhi Capitals. In the 2026 auction, they added Amelia Kerr for ₹3.00 crore. Her spin gives them another steady option in the middle overs.
2. Delhi Capitals (DC)
Delhi Capitals have done well in all WPL seasons, reaching the finals three times but finishing as runners-up on each occasion. Their strong league-stage performances show they can win matches and stay competitive.
Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues lead their batting, giving quick runs at the top and in the middle order. Their performances have often helped DC stay ahead and dominate in key games.
After finishing as runners-up in 2025, DC strengthened their squad in the 2026 auction by signing Chinelle Henry for ₹1.3 crore and Laura Wolvaardt for ₹1.1 crore. These additions make their batting and bowling even stronger for the new season.
3. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
RCB had a mixed start in 2023, winning only two of seven matches. They bounced back in 2024 and won the title, showing how smart planning can quickly change a team’s performance.
Smriti Mandhana, Ellyse Perry, and Richa Ghosh are at the core of the team. Their 2024 campaign was special, with Perry winning the Orange Cap and Mandhana leading RCB to their first title.
After not winning in 2025, RCB focused on keeping their leading players in the 2026 auction while adding key support. This approach aims to strengthen the squad for another strong season.
4. Gujarat Giants (GG)
Gujarat Giants finished in third position last season after failing to qualify for the playoffs in their first two attempts. They focus on building a balanced squad with international players who can handle pressure.
Sophie Devine and Ashleigh Gardner are their key players. Both have delivered match-winning performances, and their all-round skills give the team extra strength.
GG had a steady 2025 season and continued to strengthen their squad in the 2026 auction by signing Sophie Devine for ₹2.0 crore. This shows their trust in experienced players who can perform under pressure.
5. UP Warriorz (UPW)
UP Warriorz have failed to qualify for the playoffs in the last two seasons. They focus on building their squad each season, adding players who fit their team plans.
The team is full of experienced players like Meg Lanning, Deepti Sharma, and Shikha Pandey. Deepti’s international form and all-round skills make her important in different match situations.
The UPW team was in the race but didn’t win the title in 2025. In the 2026 auction, Deepti Sharma became their top buy at ₹3.20 crore, making her the costliest Indian player this year.
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Conclusion: The WPL 2026 Teams Look Set For A Competitive Season
The five WPL 2026 teams bring different strengths to the tournament. Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have won titles, while Delhi Capitals keep reaching finals.
Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz are building squads to compete with the top teams. Every team made smart moves at the 2026 auction. With a mix of experienced players and young talent, this season promises exciting cricket.
Teams have strengthened their squads to perform even better. Follow your favorite teams and players as the season begins.
FAQs
Mumbai Indians look strongest for WPL 2026, combining experienced players, top performers, and a balanced squad from the 2026 auction.
UP Warriorz brought the costliest players in the 2026 auction, including Deepti Sharma at ₹3.20 crore, strengthening their squad significantly.
Five teams will play in WPL 2026: Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants, and UP Warriorz.
WPL 2026 matches will be played at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai and BCA Stadium in Vadodara.
Squads for WPL 2026 were formed through the November 2025 mega auction, with teams combining experienced stars and young talent.
