As Mumbai Indians, the defending champions, lock horns with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 opener, all eyes will be on the wonderful talents ready to steal the show. Expect explosive batting fireworks, lethal pace, and cunning spin to ignite the pitch under clear skies, setting the tone for a thrilling campaign right from the first ball. Below are key players to watch out from Mumbai Indians.
1) Harmanpreet Kaur
Harmanpreet Kaur, the explosive right-hand batter and right-arm off-break bowler, leads Mumbai Indians as skipper of the defending champions in the WPL. With 187 T20Is under her belt, she has piled up 3,784 runs including a century and 15 half centuries while claiming 32 wickets at a tidy economy of 6.27, embodying true all-round brilliance. In the WPL, her 27 matches have yielded 851 runs at a scorching strike rate of 143.50, boosted by eight half centuries.
She’s entering this season on fire. In last year’s WPL, Harmanpreet smashed 302 runs off 10 outings at an even fiercer strike rate of 154.87, powering Mumbai Indians campaign. Fresh off a match winning 68 off 43 balls against Sri Lanka, her timing, power, and leadership make her a nightmare for opponents. Expect the Mumbai skipper to unleash havoc once again.
2) Shabnim Ismail
Shabnim Ismail, South Africa’s thunderbolt right-arm fast medium bowler, remains a game-changer with her express pace and unrelenting accuracy. In 113 T20Is, she scalped 123 wickets including a legendary best of 5/12 at an elite economy of 5.77, cementing her status as one of cricket’s quickest and most lethal. Her WPL record sparkles too, 20 wickets from 20 matches, with a standout 3/18 and economy of 6.82.
She’s arriving in top nick for the new season. Last WPL, Shabnim grabbed 9 wickets across 10 outings at 6.77 economy, keeping batters on edge. Only recently she featured in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), where she snared 12 wickets, at 7.88 economy and her best being spell 3/27, from 10 outings. She’s primed to terrorize once more. Opponents should beware as Ismail’s fire is far from flickering.
3) Amelia Kerr
Amelia Kerr stands as Mumbai Indians’ ultimate X-factor, a 25-year-old leg break wizard and right-hand batter who’s transformed all-round play. In 88 T20Is, she’s racked up 1,453 runs at a brisk strike rate of 109.74, while snaring 95 wickets at an economical 6.09, making her a nightmare for any opposition.
Her WPL brilliance shines through, 29 matches, 437 runs and 40 wickets, capped by the best spell of 5/38. Kerr’s cunning spin and explosive batting bring unmatched depth to Mumbai’s lineup. Fresh from domestic duties and a strong WBBL where in 7 WBBL matches she took 7 wickets; she’s set to rule the middle and death overs. For the defending champions, her match winning cameos in pressure moments will keep them dominating.
As Mumbai Indians clash with Royal Challengers Bengaluru to ignite the 2026 WPL, all eyes lock on the tournament’s flawless show of skill and pure cricket mastery.
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