Women's Premier League (WPL)
The Women's Premier League (WPL) is India's leading women's franchise-based T20 cricket competition. The tournament brings together domestic and international players across a small group of city-based franchises, creating a dedicated platform for women's professional T20 cricket in India.
The league was introduced in 2023 and has quickly become an important part of the women's cricket calendar. Along with experienced international players, the competition gives Indian cricketers an opportunity to play high-level franchise cricket and develop their skills in a competitive environment.
WPL 2026
The 2026 Women's Premier League was the fourth season of the competition. The tournament continued the five-team format, with the participating franchises competing through the league stage before the playoffs and final.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru finished the 2026 season as champions after defeating Delhi Capitals in the final. It was RCB's second WPL title, following their championship in 2024.
WPL 2026 Quick Facts
WPL Teams
The Women's Premier League currently has five franchise teams. Each franchise represents a different Indian market and builds its squad using a combination of Indian and overseas players.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
Delhi Capitals have been part of the WPL from the beginning and were one of the strongest teams during the league's early seasons. The franchise has reached the WPL final on multiple occasions and remained a regular contender for the championship.
Gujarat Giants (GG)
Gujarat Giants are one of the five original WPL franchises. The team represents Gujarat and has featured in the competition since its inaugural season in 2023.
Mumbai Indians (MI)
Mumbai Indians became the first-ever WPL champions in 2023. The franchise added another title in 2025, making it one of the most successful teams in the competition's short history.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won their first WPL championship in 2024. They returned to the top in 2026, defeating Delhi Capitals in the final to secure their second WPL title.
UP Warriorz (UPW)
UP Warriorz are one of the original WPL franchises and represent Uttar Pradesh. The team has competed in every WPL season since the tournament began in 2023.
WPL Captains
Every WPL franchise has a designated captain who leads the team during the season. Captaincy is subject to change, so the information below should be treated as season-specific.
| Team | Captain | Home City |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi Capitals | 2026 Captain | Delhi |
| Gujarat Giants | 2026 Captain | Gujarat |
| Mumbai Indians | 2026 Captain | Mumbai |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 2026 Captain | Bengaluru |
| UP Warriorz | 2026 Captain | Lucknow |
WPL Format
The Women's Premier League is played as a T20 competition, meaning both teams receive a maximum of 20 overs to complete their innings.
The five franchises play matches during the league stage, with their performances determining their positions in the standings. The best-performing teams then move into the playoff stage, where they compete for a place in the final.
This compact format allows the tournament to be completed within a relatively short period while still giving each franchise multiple opportunities to compete.
WPL Venues
The WPL has used several major cricket grounds across India since its launch. The venues can vary from one season to another depending on the tournament schedule.
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
Bengaluru
Arun Jaitley Stadium
New Delhi
Brabourne Stadium
Mumbai
DY Patil Stadium
Navi Mumbai
BCA Stadium
Vadodara
Ekana Cricket Stadium
Lucknow
WPL History
The Women's Premier League was introduced in 2023 to establish a dedicated franchise competition for women's T20 cricket in India. Before the WPL, women's domestic franchise cricket had been represented by the Women's T20 Challenge, which operated on a much smaller scale.
The arrival of the WPL created a larger platform for Indian women's cricketers and brought international players into a structured franchise tournament.
Mumbai Indians won the first WPL title in 2023. Royal Challengers Bengaluru followed with the 2024 championship, Mumbai Indians returned as winners in 2025, and RCB claimed the title again in 2026.
Within just four completed seasons, the WPL has established two champions with multiple titles: Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
WPL Winners
| Season | Champion | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Mumbai Indians | Delhi Capitals |
| 2024 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Delhi Capitals |
| 2025 | Mumbai Indians | Delhi Capitals |
| 2026 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Delhi Capitals |
The first four seasons have produced two champions, with Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru winning two titles each.
Importance of the WPL in Women's Cricket
The Women's Premier League has added a major professional franchise platform to India's women's cricket structure. Indian players can now regularly compete in a high-profile T20 environment alongside international teammates and opponents.
For emerging cricketers, the league provides exposure to different playing styles, professional coaching setups and high-pressure matches. It has also increased the visibility of women's domestic cricket and created more opportunities for players who are building careers in the T20 format.
The WPL's continued development is therefore important not only for the franchises themselves but also for the wider growth of women's cricket in India.