In the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 opener featuring two-time and defending champions Mumbai Indians against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), fans have plenty of top talents to cheer for. Watch for RCB’s explosive openers unleashing fiery starts, middle-order dynamos with power hitting flair, and a spin attack ready to choke runs on pitch. These stars could flip the script and spark an early upset under clear skies.
1) Smriti Mandhana
RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana heads into the WPL 2026 opener against defending champions Mumbai Indians riding a wave of unstoppable form, fresh off smashing 80 off 48 balls against Sri Lanka. Her T20I record speaks volumes with 4102 runs across 157 matches, at a sizzling strike rate of 124.22, punctuated by one century and 32 half centuries that has rescued countless innings.
In the WPL itself, she’s been a colossus 646 runs in 26 matches at 128.68 strike rate with four fifties to her name. Last season from eight outings she scored 197 at 136.80 strike rate. Her fluent drives and fearless pulls can shred Mumbai’s bowling early at DY Patil Stadium. Smriti remains RCB’s heartbeat.
2) Richa Ghosh
Richa Ghosh, the dynamic wicketkeeper batter, continues to redefine power hitting in women’s cricket with her fearless strokeplay. Across 72 T20Is, she has piled up 1113 runs at a scorching strike rate of 144.17, featuring two half centuries. In the WPL, her dominance shines brighter 625 runs in 26 matches at 150.96 strike rate, including four half centuries.
In the WPL last season, she scored 230 runs in 8 outings at an insane 175.57 strike rate, proving she’s built for the big stage. Fresh off India’s T20I series against Sri Lanka, Ghosh unleashed pure dominance in the 4th match, smashing an unbeaten 40 off just 16 balls, studded with four boundaries and three massive sixes.
3) Linsey Smith
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have quietly landed a game changing X-factor in Linsey Smith, the 30-year-old English left-arm spinner. Across 22 T20Is, she has snared 23 wickets at an economy of 6.64. She hit her straps at the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 in India, ripping through line ups with 12 wickets in eight games including a mesmerizing 3/7 that showed her love for subcontinental spin friendly pitches.
From a stellar WBBL 11 campaign where she took 15 wickets in 11 matches, Smith joins RCB primed for WPL 2026. In this high-stake league, her chokehold overs could strangle oppositions.
The Mumbai Indians – Royal Challengers Bengaluru WPL clash sets up an epic battle of talent and tactics. Stars fresh off international and league exploits will deliver thriller moments, launching the season with unstoppable excitement.
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