As the Women’s Premier League(WPL) enters its fourth season, from January 9 to February 5, 2026, all five franchises have finalized their leadership choices. Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Gujarat Giants have retained their captains from previous seasons.
Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals and UP Warriorz have decided on new tactical directions with fresh appointments. The Capitals have entrusted Jemimah Rodrigues with captaincy duties, while the Warriorz have turned to experienced Australian campaigner Meg Lanning to lead their charge.
These leadership decisions will prove crucial as teams aim to dethrone the defending champions and claim the coveted WPL trophy in what promises to be an exciting month-long tournament featuring India’s premier T20 cricket action.
WPL 2026 Captains List
| Team | Captain | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi Capitals (DC) | Jemimah Rodrigues | India |
| Gujarat Giants (GG) | Ashleigh Gardner | Australia |
| Mumbai Indians (MI) | Harmanpreet Kaur | India |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) | Smriti Mandhana | India |
| UP Warriorz (UPW) | Meg Lanning | Australia |
1. Jemimah Rodrigues – Delhi Capitals
Jemimah Rodrigues is set to lead Delhi Capitals in the WPL 2026 season, taking over from Meg Lanning after her triumphant ODI World Cup campaign with India in 2025. The 25-year-old batting sensation, who played a pivotal role in India’s semi-final win over Australia, now steps into one of the most high-profile captaincy roles in women’s franchise cricket.
Rodrigues succeeds Lanning, who guided Delhi to three consecutive finals before moving to UP Warriorz, leaving behind big shoes to fill. Though this marks Rodrigues’ first captaincy stint in the WPL, she brings valuable leadership experience from domestic cricket, having captained India A and Mumbai sides. Known for her flair, composure, and consistency on the international stage, Rodrigues’ appointment signals a bold new era for the Capitals as they aim to finally transform near-misses into championship glory under her youthful yet confident leadership.
2. Ashleigh Gardner – Gujarat Giants
After a breakthrough 2025 season, Gujarat Giants will once again be led by Australian star all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner in WPL 2026. Having taken over captaincy duties from Beth Mooney ahead of last season, Gardner’s leadership proved pivotal as she guided the team to their first-ever playoff berth.
A three-time ICC Women’s T20 World Cup champion, Gardner embodies both consistency and match-winning spark, making her one of the league’s most valuable overseas players. Renowned for her explosive batting and wicket-taking spells, she has repeatedly delivered under pressure, reflected in her presence among the WPL’s top 10 run-scorers and wicket-takers. Beyond the league, Gardner’s credentials shine globally — she was named Player of the Tournament at the 2023 T20 World Cup and has two WBBL titles with the Sydney Sixers. As WPL 2026 approaches, her focus will be on turning the Giants’ promise into a championship charge.
3. Harmanpreet Kaur – Mumbai Indians
Fresh off a golden run in international cricket, Harmanpreet Kaur is set to continue at the helm of Mumbai Indians for the WPL 2026 season. The dynamic Indian captain, a pillar of the franchise since the league’s inception, has already etched her name in history by leading MI to two titles — the inaugural 2023 crown and a dominant campaign in 2025.
Under her guidance, Mumbai has become a model of consistency and composure, thriving on her sharp game sense and calm leadership. Harmanpreet’s influence extends beyond the franchise arena; in 2025, she became the first Indian skipper to win an ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, cementing her status as one of the game’s all-time great leaders. With over three years of WPL experience, she remains among the league’s top Indian run-scorers, exemplifying the blend of power and poise that defines Mumbai’s success story.
4. Smriti Mandhana – Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Smriti Mandhana, one of the brightest stars in world cricket, will continue leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the WPL 2026 season, marking her fourth successive year as captain. The elegant left-hander has been pivotal to RCB’s resurgence, having guided the franchise to its maiden WPL title in 2024.
Her 2025 season was nothing short of exceptional, she topped India’s run charts during their historic ODI World Cup triumph, amassing 434 runs, and finished the year with 1,362 ODI runs in 23 matches, the highest single-year total in women’s ODI history. Mandhana also reached significant milestones, crossing 5,000 ODI runs and becoming only the second player to surpass 4,000 T20I runs. With over 10,000 runs across formats, she stands among the elite in women’s cricket. As both captain and batting mainstay, Mandhana’s form and leadership will once again be central to RCB’s title ambitions in WPL 2026.
5. Meg Lanning – UP Warriorz
A new chapter begins for UP Warriorz as Australian great Meg Lanning takes charge as captain for the WPL 2026 season. Fondly known as the ‘Megastar’, Lanning’s move from Delhi Capitals marks one of the biggest leadership shifts in the league’s short history.
The seasoned campaigner replaces Deepti Sharma, who captained UPW last season and shone as Player of the Tournament at the Women’s World Cup. Lanning’s credentials speak for themselves — she is among the most decorated captains in women’s cricket, with seven global titles to her name, including five T20 World Cups, two ODI World Cups, and a Commonwealth Games gold. With Delhi, she led the side to three straight finals and remains one of the WPL’s top run-scorers, having claimed the inaugural Orange Cap. Now, at the helm of UP Warriorz, Lanning will look to transform near-misses into long-awaited championship glory.
Facts and Records In WPL
- Most Titles Won: Harmanpreet Kaur (Mumbai Indians) holds the record with 2 titles (2023, 2025); Smriti Mandhana (RCB) won 1 (2024); Meg Lanning (DC) has 0 despite 3 finals.
- Most Match Wins: Harmanpreet Kaur leads with 19 wins in 27 matches (70.37% win rate); Meg Lanning follows with 17 wins in 27 matches (62.96%); Smriti Mandhana has 11 wins in 26 matches.
- Most Matches as Captain: Harmanpreet Kaur and Meg Lanning tied at 27 each; Smriti Mandhana at 26.
- Highest Runs by a Captain: Harmanpreet Kaur scored 851 runs in 27 matches (avg. 40.52, SR 143.5); Smriti Mandhana amassed 646 runs in 26 matches; Meg Lanning has 952 runs overall (top Orange Cap winner in 2023 with 345).
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