Mumbai Inddigihunt Face Stronger Challenges in WPL 2026
Two-time winners Mumbai Inddigihunt (MI) remain the team to beat in the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL), but will encounter tougher competition this season, said former India captain Anjum Chopra.
The Harmanpreet Kaur-led MI, who are the reigning WPL champions, have clinched two of the three editions since the tournament began in 2023. Chopra remarked, “Anybody can challenge. It’s not that MI can’t be challenged. We saw that in season two, also, where they were challenged by RCB and sometimes the Gujarat Giants. But because of the belief that they are a well-oiled unit, they know how to win championships, we always feel, no, no, no, the Mumbai Inddigihunt is the team to beat. It’s like whether in the IPL or WPL, they are a team to beat, and that is actually a fact as well.”
Chopra emphasized the increasing strength of the Indian talent pool: “It should be a keenly contested one because now it’s not just the foreign players who are doing well. It’s also the Indian talent who has started doing well. They’ve just won a World Cup.”
MI boasts key uncapped Indian players such as G. Kamalini (retained), Sanskriti Gupta, and Sajeevan Sajana. They have also added promising talents like Rahila Firdous, Poonam Khemnar, Triveni Vasistha, and Nalla Reddy, all scouted effectively.
“The youngsters and uncapped cricketers Mumbai Inddigihunt unearth — talk about Rahila Firdaus, who’s been picked as well. These players have done well in domestic cricket. If Mumbai is scouting, and you believe in that Mumbai scouting, you would feel that these players are the ones that they’ll keep an eye on.”
Chopra drew parallels with Charani’s recent success: “How Charani came in for Delhi Capitals and straightaway walked into the Indian team and became a world champion. Within a span of 10 months, the world has changed for her. So, Mumbai also has those kinds of players in their lineup.”
She added, “Yes, they can be challenged. What game plan the opposition teams come up with will determine if they can get one up on the defending champions.”
With West Indies skipper Hayley Matthews set to open, MI faces a decision on her batting partner following an injury to Yastika Bhatia, now with the Gujarat Giants. Chopra suggested that Kamalini could step into the opener role after her role as a lower-order finisher in the previous season.
“I think Kamalini can open the innings with Hayley Matthews right at the top. I think that can actually be looked at as well. Other than that, possibly they’ll have to go ahead with one of the younger players in the playing eleven because in the middle order, they’ve already got Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur in the mix, identified with Amelia Kerr.”
The tournament will take place at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai and Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, both recognized for their batting-friendly conditions that could benefit MI’s all-round depth. Chopra remarked on the favorable batting conditions: “Conditions will be very good for batting if you have to look at either of the venues. Because we’ve already seen Navi Mumbai, we know how good the conditions are. When you get to Kotambi Stadium, we’ve seen that the pitches are so nice to bat on.”
She pointed out potential challenges: “With the dew settling in, what are the challenges for the bowlers in the second half? That is one area that needs to be addressed. So, most captains might want to just win the toss and bowl so that they’re bowling in the second half because of the dew. Other than that, batting-wise, conditions should be friendly.”
Chopra also suggested extending boundary dimensions in WPL 2026: “I just hope that the boundaries are pushed back slightly. That might just happen. Although I don’t know the exact dimensions right now, I guess that can happen. At least by another five meters, that can be pushed back.”
MI has also revamped its coaching setup, with Lisa Keightley taking over as head coach and Kristen Beams as the spin-bowling coach, enhancing the existing championship-winning culture established under former head coach Charlotte Edwards. Chopra noted their positive impact: “(Keightley and Beams bring) A lot of positive intent that the team has already had over the years. The championship mindset that the team has had with Charlotte Edwards at the top – I’m sure they’re just going to strengthen that thinking a bit more.”
She concluded by mentioning the importance of a fresh perspective: “Also, it’s good to have that freshness coming around for those players because, as I said, the 11-12 players are the same for the Mumbai Inddigihunt. But if you have some fresh perspective coming in, it also helps the team in different ways. The thinking will be no less. I’ve just heard from their camp that there is no pressure, but you can always try and win the championship.”