Two-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) rebuilt their core, while Delhi Capitals missed out on captain Meg Lanning, who fetched ₹1.90 crore from UP Warriorz. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) bolstered their lineup with Australia's Georgia Wareham to back Smriti Mandhana.
As WPL teams gear up for 2026, here's an in-depth analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of WPL teams, including key acquisitions, possible playing XIs, and strategic insights. From Delhi Capitals squad revamps to Gujarat Giants bowling concerns, discover how each franchise stacks up in the battle for WPL supremacy.
Delhi Capitals WPL 2026: Solid Batting Boost, Wicketkeeper Woes
Three-time runners-up Delhi Capitals entered the WPL 2026 auction after releasing captain Meg Lanning, only to see her snapped up by rivals UP Warriorz. Undeterred, they invested in firepower with Laura Wolvaardt, Sneh Rana, and Shinelle Henry. Leadership could shift to Jemimah Rodrigues or Annabel Sutherland, ensuring continuity.
Strengths of Delhi Capitals Squad
- Batting Depth Amplified: Additions like Wolvaardt, Shinelle Henry, and Sneh Rana fortify the top order. Backup opener and wicketkeeper Lizelle Lee adds versatility, while veterans Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Marizanne Kapp, and Annabel Sutherland bring proven match-winning experience.
- Balanced Spin Attack: Sai Charani's guile provides crucial bowling equilibrium, complementing the all-round prowess.
Weaknesses of Delhi Capitals Team
- Wicketkeeper Dilemma: Including Lizelle Lee means benching Wolvaardt or Henry. Opting for Wolvaardt forces reliance on Taniya Bhatia's weaker batting at gloves.
- Tail-End Bowling Vulnerability: The lower order lacks penetration, placing extra pressure on all-rounders to deliver wickets.
Possible Delhi Capitals Playing XI: Shafali Verma, Laura Wolvaardt/Shinelle Henry, Jemimah Rodrigues, Marizanne Kapp, Annabel Sutherland, Nikki Prasad, Taniya Bhatia (WK), Sneh Rana, Sai Charani, Minnu Mani, Lucy Hamilton.
Mumbai Indians WPL 2026: All-Rounder Paradise, Youthful Keeper Risks
Defending champions from 2023 and 2025, Mumbai Indians retained five key players and prioritized reunions, securing Amelia Kerr and Shabnim Ismail early. Under Harmanpreet Kaur's captaincy, explosive talents like Nat Sciver-Brunt and Hayley Matthews promise fireworks.
Strengths of Mumbai Indians Squad
- All-Rounder Dominance: Eight versatile performers – from Kerr to Sciver-Brunt – can turn games single-handedly with bat or ball, echoing MI's triumphant 2023 formula where just four fielded but seven shone.
Weaknesses of Mumbai Indians Team
- Inexperienced Keeping Slot: Young G. Kamalini behind the stumps could prove a liability in high-pressure chases.
- Bowling Depth Issues: The final two spots lack elite options, potentially exposing the attack in death overs.
Possible Mumbai Indians Playing XI: Hayley Matthews, G. Kamalini (WK), Natalie Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Amelia Kerr, Amanjot Kaur, Sajeevan Sajana, Saika Ishaque, Shabnim Ismail, Poonam Khemnar, Sanskriti Gupta.
RCB WPL 2026: All-Rounder Firepower Meets Bowling Blues
2024 title winners Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) held onto four retainees and targeted balance with Georgia Voll, Nadine de Klerk, Grace Harris, and Radha Yadav buys. Sophie Devine's departure stings, but Voll and Harris step up as openers alongside Smriti Mandhana.
Strengths of RCB Squad
- Chasing Mastery: All-rounders and finishers like Mandhana, Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghosh, de Klerk, Pooja Vastrakar, and Harris excel in big totals. Bowling boasts England's Lauren Bell, Shreyanka Patil, and Radha Yadav for variety.
Weaknesses of RCB Team
- Openers' Fragility: Backup options to Mandhana lack consistency.
- Injury and Wicket-Taking Gaps: Harris and Vastrakar's fitness concerns disrupt combos, while the attack misses consistent breakers.
Possible RCB Playing XI: Smriti Mandhana (C), Georgia Voll/Grace Harris, Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghosh, Pooja Vastrakar, Nadine de Klerk, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Dayalan Hemalatha/Prema Rawat, Lauren Bell.
UP Warriorz WPL 2026: Auction's Big Winners with Top-Order Thunder
Playoff qualifiers just once (2023), UP Warriorz leveraged a hefty purse post-single retention to land megastars: Meg Lanning, Deandra Dottin, Sophie Ecclestone, Deepti Sharma, and Phoebe Litchfield. Their bowling unit emerges as a dark horse.
Strengths of UP Warriorz Squad
- Explosive Top Order: Lanning, Litchfield, Kiran Navgire, and Dottin form a dream lineup for powerplay dominance.
- Wicket-Taking Bowling: Asha Sobhana, Kranti Gaud, Tara Norris, and Ecclestone thrive in clutch moments. Norris enables a five-foreigner XI.
Weaknesses of UP Warriorz Team
- Keeping Oversight: Uncapped Kshipra Giri fills the void, untested at this level.
- Finishing Frailties: Deepti, Ecclestone, and Shikha Pandey handle overs but lack batting punch.
Possible UP Warriorz Playing XI: Meg Lanning, Phoebe Litchfield, Deandra Dottin, Pratika Rawal/Harleen Deol, Kiran Navgire, Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, Shikha Pandey, Kshipra Giri (WK), Asha Sobhana, Kranti Gaud/Tara Norris.
Gujarat Giants WPL 2026: Batting Blitz, Bowling Bottleneck
Last season's playoff dark horses Gujarat Giants retained two and focused on batting reinforcements: Sophie Devine, Bharti Fulmali, and Yastika Bhatia. Yet, their attack raises eyebrows.
Strengths of Gujarat Giants Squad
- Top-Order Solidity: Beth Mooney, Devine, and Ashleigh Gardner anchor innings, with Georgia Wareham and Kim Garth offering flexible all-round inputs.
Weaknesses of Gujarat Giants Team
- Bowling Inexperience: Young guns Kashvee Gautam, Titas Sadhu, Tanuja Kanwar, and Kanika Ahuja may falter under pressure, overburdening Gardner.
Possible Gujarat Giants Playing XI: Beth Mooney (WK), Sophie Devine, Yastika Bhatia, Ashleigh Gardner, Bharti Fulmali, Georgia Wareham/Kim Garth, Kanika Ahuja, Tanuja Kanwar/Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Renuka Singh, Kashvee Gautam, Titas Sadhu.
WPL 2026 Outlook: Balanced Lineups Set for Epic Clashes
The WPL 2026 mega auction has leveled the playing field, with UP Warriorz emerging as frontrunners and Gujarat Giants needing bowling fixes. As India's World Cup-winning players raked in ₹22.65 crore collectively, expect fireworks when the season ignites. For salary insights, check our comparison of IPL vs WPL salaries post-2026 auction.
