India’s cricketing landscape witnessed a historic milestone in 2025 when the Indian women’s team, under the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur, clinched the country’s first-ever ICC Women’s ODI World Cup title.
This triumph, achieved on home soil at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, was not only a testament to the team’s skill and determination but also a symbolic passing of the torch from legends Mithali Raj, Anjum Chopra, Jhulan Goswami, and many others to an exciting new era.
As the nation savoured this victory, another transformative chapter was unfolding: the Women’s Premier League (WPL), a tournament that has rapidly become a vibrant platform for domestic and international talents alike. Leading the Mumbai Indians to two WPL titles, Harmanpreet Kaur describes the league as a pivotal stage for young cricketers to gain invaluable experience and break out of their comfort zones.
Since its inception, the WPL has carved a unique space in women’s cricket, bridging domestic talent with international stars. Harmanpreet emphasises, “WPL has something very special, especially for domestic cricketers, young cricketers. They really want to come here, and for that, they have been working so hard. This stage is very special because you share the dressing room with your international and then overseas internationals.”
This integration of diverse talent pools creates an enriched learning environment that accelerates player development beyond what traditional domestic circuits offer.
The upcoming 4th edition of the WPL, slated from 9th January to 5th February 2026, once again highlights key venues like DY Patil Stadium and Kotambi Stadium, showcasing India’s expanding infrastructure for women’s cricket. Mumbai Indians, led by Harmanpreet, will bring their championship-winning momentum into the tournament, while the fierce competition from teams like Royal Challengers Bangalore, Gujarat Giants, UP Warriorz and Delhi Capitals promises thrilling battles.
Interestingly, despite finishing at the top of the table in all three previous editions, Delhi Capitals have been runners-up each time, underscoring the competitive edge Mumbai Indians possess under Harmanpreet’s stewardship.
Harmanpreet is particularly passionate about the role WPL plays in empowering young players by exposing them to high-intensity cricket and diverse cricketing cultures. She adds, “Here you will get a lot of experience, and you will break a lot of barriers because on the domestic level, you keep meeting your local colleagues. Going out of your comfort zone, you are going to learn.” This philosophy resonates strongly with the tournament’s inclusion of rising stars like 17-year-old wicket-keeper Gunalan Kamalini.
The wicket-keeper batter G Kamalini and 19-year-old left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma are both recent additions to India’s T20I squad. Kamalini, retained by the Mumbai Indians for the 4th edition, impressed as the third-highest run-scorer in the 2nd ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup 2025, while Sharma, a key bowler in India’s successful Under-19 World Cup title defence, showcased her prowess by topping the wicket charts with 17 wickets at an astonishing average of 4.35.
Although Vaishnavi Sharma will not be a part of the upcoming 4th edition of the WPL, her domestic performances, including multiple five-wicket hauls and economy-busting spells, mirror the league’s growing reputation for spotlighting raw talent. Gunalan Kamalini’s journey from impressive youth performances to retaining a significant auction price with the Mumbai Indians highlights the league’s financially rewarding and career-defining impact.
With India’s sustained success on the global stage personified by Harmanpreet’s leadership and the significant platform the WPL provides, women’s cricket in India is on a robust upward trajectory. The league not only celebrates established stars and legends but also consistently cultivates young talent, accelerating their learning curve by providing match exposure and cultural exchanges with international players.
As WPL gears up for its fourth season, Harmanpreet Kaur’s insights remind us that the tournament transcends mere competition; it is a transformational arena where barriers are broken, dreams are nurtured, and the future of women’s cricket is being shaped, one match at a time. The combination of stellar leadership, expanding opportunities, and a strong pipeline of talent ensures the WPL will remain an indispensable fixture in the international women’s cricketing calendar for years to come.
(Quotes sourced from Mumbai Indians)
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