The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 is currently underway, featuring five talented captains leading their teams from January 9 to February 5, 2026. This fourth edition brings an interesting mix of experienced and new leaders across the five franchises competing in Navi Mumbai and Vadodara.
Three teams, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Gujarat Giants, have continued with their existing captains, while Delhi Capitals and UP Warriorz have appointed fresh leaders.
This combination of retained and new captains, including both Indian stars and Australian veterans, promises exciting competition and tactical battles throughout the tournament.
The Five WPL 2026 Captains
The five captains of WPL 2026 play a crucial role in shaping their teams’ strategies and on-field decisions. Their leadership and experience will be key factors throughout the season.
| Team | Captain | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| Mumbai Indians (MI) | Harmanpreet Kaur | Indian |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) | Smriti Mandhana | Indian |
| Delhi Capitals (DC) | Jemimah Rodrigues | Indian |
| UP Warriorz (UPW) | Meg Lanning | Australia |
| Gujarat Giants (GG) | Ashleigh Gardner | Australia |
Leadership Changes in WPL 2026
The WPL 2026 captaincy changes were driven by planning and auction results. The biggest move was Meg Lanning shifting from Delhi Capitals to UP Warriorz, which triggered leadership changes across teams.
- Continuity vs Change
Harmanpreet Kaur (Mumbai Indians), Smriti Mandhana (RCB), and Ashleigh Gardner (Gujarat Giants) continue as captains, giving their teams stability.
Delhi Capitals appointed Jemimah Rodrigues as captain.
- Impact of India’s World Cup Win
India’s ODI World Cup win boosted confidence across teams.
Harmanpreet and Smriti enter WPL 2026 as world champions.
Jemimah’s strong World Cup performances helped fast-track her captaincy.
- The Meg Lanning Factor
Meg Lanning moved from Delhi Capitals to UP Warriorz.
She led DC to multiple finals and now faces the challenge of improving a Warriorz side that finished fifth last season.
1. Harmanpreet Kaur – Mumbai Indians (India)
Harmanpreet Kaur continues to lead Mumbai Indians with authority in WPL 2026. In 2025, she featured in 10 matches, scoring 302 runs at an average of 33.55 and a strong strike rate of 154.87. Her highest score of 66 reflected her ability to control the middle overs while maintaining scoring momentum.
Known for her aggressive yet composed batting, Harmanpreet struck 38 fours and 11 sixes, underlining her boundary-hitting impact. Beyond numbers, her experience and calm decision-making remain central to Mumbai Indians’ consistent performances.
2. Smriti Mandhana – Royal Challengers Bengaluru (India)
Smriti Mandhana leads Royal Challengers Bengaluru as one of India’s most dependable top-order batters. In the 2025 WPL season, she played 9 matches, scoring 137 runs with a highest score of 57.
Her strike rate of 125.68 reflects a balanced approach built on timing and placement. While her run tally was modest, Mandana’s leadership at the top of the order remains vital in setting platforms. As captain, she brings stability, international experience, and a calm presence that continues to shape RCB’s batting structure.
3. Jemimah Rodrigues – Delhi Capitals (India)
Jemimah Rodrigues takes charge of the Delhi Capitals after establishing herself as a reliable middle-order batter. In 2025, she played 9 matches, scoring 142 runs at a strike rate of 154.34, with a highest score of 33*.
Her batting is built on quick footwork and sharp placement, allowing her to rotate strike efficiently while accelerating when needed. Although her average stood at 23.66, her value lies in adaptability across match situations. As captain, Jemimah adds energy, tactical awareness, and a modern leadership style to the DC setup.
4. Meg Lanning – UP Warriorz (Australia)
Meg Lanning brings vast leadership experience to UP Warriorz, backed by consistent performances. In 2025 she featured in 9 matches, scoring 276 runs at an average of 34.50, with a highest score of 92.
Her strike rate of 118.96 highlights her role as an anchor at the top of the order. Lanning’s ability to build innings and guide younger players makes her a steady presence. Known for her tactical clarity and calm leadership, she remains a key figure in shaping UP Warrior’s approach in WPL 2026.
5. Ashleigh Gardner – Gujarat Giants (Australia)
Ashleigh Gardner captains Gujarat Giants as a proven all-round leader. In the 2025 season, she played 9 matches, scoring 243 runs with a highest score of 79*. Her strike rate of 164.18 reflects her aggressive batting style, particularly in pressure situations.
With an average of 30.37, Gardner provided crucial middle-order stability while also contributing with power, hitting 17 fours and 18 sixes. Her leadership combines intensity with versatility, making her a central figure in Gujarat Giants’ campaign.
WPL Captaincy Records
The WPL captaincy records highlight the leadership impact of captains across seasons, reflecting wins, losses, and overall team performance. These records offer insight into how captaincy decisions have shaped match outcomes in the league.
| Captain | Team | Matches as Captains | Matches Won | Winning Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harmanpreet Kaur | MI | 29 | 20 | 68.96% |
| Smriti Mandhana | RCB | 27 | 12 | 44.44% |
| Meg Lanning | DC/UPW | 28 | 17 | 60.71% |
| Ashleigh Gardner | GG | 11 | 6 | 54.54% |
| Jemimah Rodrigues | DC | 2 | 0 | 0.00% |
Above table shows the WPL Captaincy Records with matches won and Winning percentages of the captains.
WPL 2026 Captains – Batting Statistics
| Captain | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | Highest Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harmanpreet Kaur | 2 | 94 | 94.00 | 159.32 | 74* |
| Smriti Mandhana | – | – | – | – | – |
| Ashleigh Gardner | 2 | 114 | 57.00 | 170.14 | 65 |
| Jemimah Rodrigues | – | – | – | – | – |
| Meg Lanning | 1 | 30 | 30.00 | 111.11 | 30 |
Above table shows the WPL 2026 current matches captains batting statistics with the Runs, Strike rates, Highest score of the captains. Out of 5 captains only 3 captains records are available and 2 captains records are not updated yet because matches are ongoing.
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Conclusion: What to Expect from WPL 2026 Captains
WPL 2026 is set to be shaped strongly by its leadership groups, with a mix of experienced and emerging captains influencing team direction and on-field decisions. Veteran leaders bring stability and tactical clarity, while newer captains add energy and fresh perspectives. Among them, captains leading title-contending sides are likely to face the greatest pressure due to expectations and past success. The contrast between established leadership and evolving captaincy styles adds a compelling layer to the tournament.
