The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 is about to ignite the cricketing world because it enters its fourth blockbuster season beginning January 9. This version guarantees a contemporary aggressive edge following a high-stakes mega public sale and historic venue shifts to Navi Mumbai and Vadodara.
Defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) will launch the match in a high-octane opener towards 2024 winners Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on the DY Patil Stadium. With 5 world-class franchises battling throughout 22 matches, the league continues to solidify its standing because the premier world platform for ladies’s T20 cricket. Followers are significantly wanting to see if a brand new chief or a recurring powerhouse will declare the trophy on February 5 within the Vadodara closing.
Aakash Chopra picks the WPL 2026 winner
Former Indian cricketer and analyst Aakash Chopra has made a daring prediction, tipping the Delhi Capitals (DC) to lastly safe their maiden title in 2026. Regardless of reaching the ultimate in all three earlier seasons, DC has famously struggled on the closing hurdle, shedding twice to Mumbai and as soon as to RCB.
Chopra famous on JioStar’s ‘TATA WPL 2026 Predictions’ that the Capitals have “put collectively an excellent squad” and deserve to interrupt their jinx after being constant finalists. This yr, the crew strikes away from the veteran management of Meg Lanning and enters a brand new period beneath Jemimah Rodrigues. The younger Indian star is using an enormous wave of momentum after her “on the spot traditional” 127 off 134 balls* towards Australia within the 2025 World Cup semi-final, which helped India chase down a record-breaking 339 to ultimately declare the world title.
“I believe Delhi Capitals will win, this time round. They’ve put collectively an excellent squad they usually have reached the finals all 3 times. Allow them to win it as soon as,” Chopra stated on Star Sports activities.
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The Race for the Orange Cap within the WPL 2026
On the subject of particular person brilliance, Chopra recognized RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana because the “frontrunner” to clinch the Orange Cap for many runs this season. Mandhana is coming off a legendary 2025 calendar yr the place she grew to become the primary girl to attain 1,700+ runs in a single yr throughout codecs, not too long ago surpassing 10,000 worldwide runs. Whereas her WPL common of 24.84 has been modest in comparison with her worldwide requirements, her current type, together with centuries in all three codecs in 2025—suggests an enormous breakout season is imminent.
Nevertheless, Chopra was fast to call DC opener Shafali Verma as a potent menace to Mandhana’s ambitions. Shafali at present sits because the fourth-highest run-getter in WPL historical past with 865 runs at a staggering strike price of 162.59, and after ending 2025 with a T20I common of 52.12, she stays essentially the most explosive weapon within the Delhi arsenal.
“I believe it could possibly be RCB captain, Smriti Mandhana, to attain essentially the most variety of runs this WPL season. Smriti Mandhana may be the frontrunner within the race to win the Orange Cap and she or he may even win it. Alongside her, I really feel, Shafali Verma, who will open for the Delhi Capitals, could possibly be a powerful contender as nicely.”
Additionally READ: From emerging player to WPL 2026 winner: Deepti Sharma shares bold predictions for the Women’s Premier League
This text was first printed at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times firm.
