Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Smriti Mandhana exudes confidence in a pre-match press conference ahead of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 opener on January 9 at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, where her title-winning side clashes with defending champions Mumbai Indians, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, from 7:30 PM IST.
After ending a 17-year franchise trophy drought by clinching the 2024 WPL crown, RCB eyes a strong defence of their legacy against the two-time champions (2023 and 2025 winners). Mandhana, the second-highest run-scorer for RCB with 646 runs at a strike rate of 128.68 and an average of 24.84 across 26 innings, including four half-centuries, emphasises mindset over outcomes as the first phase unfolds at DY Patil before shifting to Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara.
Speaking from Mumbai on the eve of the blockbuster, Mandhana highlighted her young squad’s vibrancy. “We’re a young group, but there’s a lot of energy and excitement around the team. Every time we go onto the field, we want to build the right mindset and keep improving, not just look at one result.” This approach stems from RCB’s rollercoaster WPL journey: a dismal fourth-place finish in the 2023 inaugural season with just two wins from eight, followed by a triumphant 2024 final rout of Delhi Capitals by eight wickets on March 17, chasing down the target with ease.
Mandhana, trailing only Ellyse Perry’s stellar 972 runs (strike rate 132.96, average 64.80, eight half-centuries in 25 innings), is evolving her game for T20 explosiveness. “There’s a conscious effort from my side to hit more sixes. I’ve been working quite a bit on my power-hitting, and hopefully I can bring that into the WPL without moving away from timing and my natural game.” She tempered expectations on flair, adding, “When I look at fancy shots, I know I am still a little away from them. But if I could muscle those sixes, I’ll be very happy with that.”
Perry’s absence due to personal reasons, replaced by Sayali Satghare, looms large, but Mandhana praised her enduring legacy. “She’s been amazing for us. We’ve learned so much from her work ethic and the way she carries herself around the group, especially for the younger players. Of course, no one can replace someone like her, but we have a young, high-quality group that’s really gelling together.” This cohesion could prove pivotal against Mumbai’s seasoned core, setting the tone for a tournament that Mandhana views as transformative.
The Indian women’s team, led by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and guided by head coach Amol Muzumdar, recently lifted their maiden ICC title. Harmanpreet Kaur became the first Indian women’s captain to lift an ICC title, what made it even more special was the fact that the triumph came in the home ODI World Cup. The upcoming 10th edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will be hosted by England and Wales from 12th June to 5th July 2026. The White Ferns are currently the defending champions of the tournament.
Reflecting on WPL’s growth, Mandhana underscored its role in nurturing talent. “It’s always exciting to see talents coming up in WPL. Every WPL is just getting us closer to where we want to be. That shows that WPL has made a lot of impact on us, and everyone knows that if you have a good WPL, especially in the T20 format, you always have a chance.” As the league enters its fourth edition, expect fireworks under the Navi Mumbai lights.
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