Mumbai, January 7, 2026: Defending champions Mumbai Indians are set to begin their Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 campaign with renewed confidence as they take on Royal Challengers Bangalore in the season opener on January 9. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur expressed optimism ahead of the tournament, stating that Mumbai holds a special place in her career as it has consistently brought positive results.
Reflecting on the team’s success, Harmanpreet said that the goal remains unchanged — to compete with intensity and lift the trophy once again. “Whenever I step on the field, I tell my team that we are here to win the trophy. We have won two titles in three seasons, and we want to continue the same momentum this year,” she said, adding that the city and franchise inspire confidence and performance.
The upcoming season also marks the first WPL campaign under new head coach Lisa Keightley, a two-time World Cup winner with Australia. Keightley highlighted the significance of Mumbai Indians’ all-female coaching staff, crediting Mrs. Nita M. Ambani’s vision for empowering women in sport. She expressed hope that female leadership in coaching roles will grow further in the coming years.
Team mentor and bowling coach Jhulan Goswami praised Keightley’s experience, calling it a valuable asset for the squad. With a strong retained core and a unified mindset, Mumbai Indians aim to build on their legacy and make another dominant title run in WPL 2026.
