The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 is going to start soon, and the buzz around the Mumbai Indians (MI) camp is palpable. Having cemented their legacy as the most consistent franchise in the league’s history, the team enters this season with a squad that perfectly balances international superstardom with raw Indian talent. With the auction dynamics settling, MI management has curated a lineup capable of dominating any condition, ensuring all bases—pace, spin, and explosive batting—are covered.
Defending Champions to focus on retaining the title
Fresh off their triumph in the 2025 season, the Mumbai Indians are not just participants; they are the team to beat. The ‘Defending Champions’ tag brings pressure, but under the seasoned leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur, this unit thrives on expectations. The strategy for 2026 is clear: retain the aggressive brand of cricket that won them the trophy while integrating exciting new talents like G Kamalini and Nalla Reddy into the fold. With key overseas pillars like Nat Sciver-Brunt and Hayley Matthews retained, and the return of match-winners like Amelia Kerr and Shabnim Ismail, MI’s focus is singular—bringing the trophy home to Mumbai once again.
Mumbai Indians’ best playing XI for WPL 2026
1. Hayley Matthews
- Role: Opening batter / Off-spin bowler (Overseas)
- Strength: Powerplay dominance and partnership breaking.
- What she brings: Matthews is a proven match-winner who can take the game away in the first six overs. Her ability to deliver four economical overs of spin makes her an invaluable asset to the team balance.
2. G Kamalini
- Role: Wicketkeeper / Opening batter
- Strength: Fearless stroke-play and agility behind the stumps.
- What she brings: The young sensation provides a left-handed option at the top. Her aggressive intent complements Matthews perfectly, allowing MI to maximize the powerplay without being bogged down.
3. Nat Sciver-Brunt
- Role: Batting all-rounder (overseas)
- Strength: Stability, consistency, and big-match temperament.
- What she brings: Arguably the best all-rounder in the world, she anchors the innings and accelerates at will. Her medium pace is crucial for the middle overs, often providing breakthroughs when the team needs them most.
4. Harmanpreet Kaur (c)
- Role: Captain / Middle-order batter
- Strength: Leadership and finishing prowess.
- What she brings: The heart of the team. Harmanpreet brings vast experience and the ability to control the game’s tempo. Her capability to clear the ropes in the death overs remains unmatched.
5. Amelia Kerr
- Role: Leg-spin all-rounder (overseas)
- Strength: Mystery spin and dynamic batting.
- What she brings: Kerr is a luxury player who can bat anywhere in the top 5 and bowl decisive spells. Her googlies are a nightmare for batters, and she acts as a floater who can counter-attack spin in the middle overs.
6. Amanjot Kaur
- Role: Seam-bowling all-rounder
- Strength: Gritty batting and partnership building.
- What she brings: She fills the critical role of the Indian pace-bowling all-rounder. Amanjot is known for her calm head under pressure and can chip in with vital cameos at the backend of the innings.
7. S Sajana
- Role: Finisher / Off-spin bowler
- Strength: First-ball hitting ability and clutch performance.
- What she brings: A designated finisher, Sajana has the power to hit sixes from ball one. Her presence ensures that MI’s run rate doesn’t dip in the final five overs, and she offers a handy spin option if needed.
8. Sanskriti Gupta
- Role: Bowling all-rounder (spin)
- Strength: Flight, guile, and lower-order hitting.
- What she brings: Having featured in the 2025 final, Sanskriti brings confidence and local savvy. Her off-spin adds variety to the attack, and she provides depth to the batting lineup, ensuring the tail doesn’t start too early.
9. Saika Ishaque
- Role: Left-arm orthodox spinner
- Strength: Wicket-taking knack and accuracy.
- What she brings: A consistent performer for MI, Saika is the go-to bowler for breaking partnerships. Her ability to skid the ball and cramp batters for room makes her lethal, especially on turning tracks.
10. Shabnim Ismail
- Role: Fast bowler (overseas)
- Strength: Express pace and new-ball aggression.
- What she brings: Ismail brings the “fire” to the attack. Her raw speed terrifies openers, and she is excellent at picking up early wickets to put the opposition on the back foot immediately.
11. Nalla Reddy
- Role: Right-arm medium pacer
- Strength: Youthful energy and swing.
- What she brings: As a promising pace prospect, Reddy balances the attack by supporting Ismail with the new ball. Her inclusion allows MI to field a balanced pace attack alongside their world-class spinners.
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
