Former India opener Aakash Chopra has tipped Delhi Capitals (DC) to clinch the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) and suggested that Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) skipper Smriti Mandhana could emerge as the tournament’s leading run-scorer.
Delhi Capitals’ Title Aspirations
DC, three-time runners-up in the WPL, are aiming to break their title jinx under new skipper Jemimah Rodrigues. Chopra mentioned, “I think Delhi Capitals will win this time around. They have put together a very good squad and they have reached the finals all three times. Let them win it once,” during his discussion on JioStar.
Top Contenders for Individual Honors
Chopra believes that apart from Smriti, her opening partner Shafali Verma could also contend for the Orange Cap. “I think it could be RCB captain, Smriti Mandhana, to score the most number of runs this WPL season. Smriti Mandhana might be the frontrunner in the race to win the Orange Cap and she might even win it. Alongside her, I feel, Shafali Verma, who will open for the Delhi Capitals, could be a strong contender as well.”
Potential Award Winners
Chopra further noted that both Deepti Sharma and Sree Charani could bag significant awards in WPL 2026. “I think Deepti Sharma can register a hat-trick of winning the Player of the Tournament award. The form she is in currently, she has been unstoppable and I also think that since she has started doing well in the WPL, there has been a significant improvement in her overall game.”
He added, “This could be her season again. I think Shree Charani might win the Emerging Player of the Season award. She had a fantastic World Cup and I feel she will be the tournament’s best spinner.”
Opening Game Prediction
Chopra concluded by predicting the outcome of the MI-RCB opening game at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on January 9. “I will go with Mumbai Inddigihunt for this clash. Obviously, very little to choose between the two sides, but Mumbai.”