WPL 2026: Full Schedule Out; Harmanpreet Kaurs Mumbai Indians To Play With This Team In Season Opener : Report

by Hansraj Agrawal | Nov 29, 2025 | Sports

The complete schedule for the Women’s Premier League 2026 has now surfaced, even though the organisers have not officially released it yet. According to a detailed report by Sports Tak, the full list of fixtures for the upcoming season is ready and it has already set the cricket world buzzing. The tournament is slated to begin on January 9, with the grand finale scheduled for February 5. With just forty-one days left for the action to unfold, fans finally have a clearer picture of what to expect. As per the report, defending champions Mumbai Indians will open their campaign against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on January 9.

WPL 2026 SQUADS UPDATED

Mumbai Indians (Purse Remaining: Rs. 0 crore)

Harmanpreet Kaur, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Hayley Matthews, Amanjot Kaur, G. Kamalini, Amelia Kerr, Shabnim Ismail, Sanskriti Gupta, Sajana Sajeevan, Rahila Firdous, Nicola Carey, Poonam Khemnar, Triveni Vasistha, Nalla Reddy, Saika Ishaque, Milly Illingworth

ALSO READ – WPL 2026: A Look At Updated Squads Of MI W, RCB W, DC W, UP W, GG W After Mega Auction

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Delhi Capitals (Purse Remaining: Rs.0 crore)

Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Annabel Sutherland, Marzianne Kapp, Niki Prasad, Laura Wolvaardt, Chinelle Henry, Shree Charani, Sneh Rana, Lizelle Lee, Deeya Yadav, Taniyaa Bhatia, Mamatha Madiwala, Nandni Sharma, Lucy Hamilton, Minnu Mani

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Purse Remaining: Rs. 0 crore)

Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, Ellyse Perry, Shreyanka Patil, Georgia Voll, Nadine de Klerk, Radha Yadav, Lauren Bell, Linsey Smith, Prema Rawat, Arundhati Reddy, Pooja Vastrakar, Grace Harris, Gautami Naik, Prathyoosha Kumar, D. Hemalatha

Gujarat Giants (Purse Remaining: Rs. 0.15 crore)

Ashleigh Gardner, Beth Mooney, Sophie Devine, Renuka Singh Thakur, Bharti Fulmali, Titas Sadhu, Kashee Gautam, Kanika Ahuja, Tanuja Kanwer, Georgia Wareham, Anushka Sharma, Happy Kumari, Kim Garth, Yastika Bhatia, Shivani Singh, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Ayushi Soni

UP Warriorz (Purse Remaining: Rs. 0.15 crore)

Shweta Sehrawat, Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, Meg Lanning, Phoebe Litchfield, Kiran Navgire, Harleen Deol, Kranti Goud, Asha Sobhana, Deandra Dottin, Shikha Pandey, Shipra Giri, Simran Shaikh, Tara Norris, Chloe Tryon, Suman Meena, G. Trisha, Pratika Rawal

WPL 2026 Full Schedule

Match 1: Friday, January 9, Evening – Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Navi Mumbai

Match 2: Saturday, January 10, Afternoon – UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants at Navi Mumbai

Match 3: Saturday, January 10, Evening – Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals at Navi Mumbai

Match 4: Sunday, January 11, Evening – Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Giants at Navi Mumbai

Match 5: Monday, January 12, Evening – Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs UP Warriorz at Navi Mumbai

Match 6: Tuesday, January 13, Evening – Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Giants at Navi Mumbai

Match 7: Wednesday, January 14, Evening – UP Warriorz vs Delhi Capitals at Navi Mumbai

Match 8: Thursday, January 15, Evening – Mumbai Indians vs UP Warriorz at Navi Mumbai

Match 9: Friday, January 16, Evening – Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Giants at Navi Mumbai

Match 10: Saturday, January 17, Afternoon – UP Warriorz vs Mumbai Indians at Navi Mumbai

Match 11: Saturday, January 17, Evening – Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Navi Mumbai

Match 12: Sunday, January 18 – No match scheduled

Match 13: Monday, January 19, Evening – Gujarat Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Vadodara

Match 14: Tuesday, January 20, Evening – Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians at Vadodara

Match 15: Wednesday, January 21 – No match scheduled

Match 16: Thursday, January 22, Evening – Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz at Vadodara

Match 17: Friday, January 23 – No match scheduled

Match 18: Saturday, January 24, Evening – Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals at Vadodara

Match 19: Sunday, January 25 – No match scheduled

Match 20: Monday, January 26, Evening – Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Mumbai Indians at Vadodara

Match 21: Tuesday, January 27, Evening – Gujarat Giants vs Delhi Capitals at Vadodara

Match 22: Wednesday, January 28 – No match scheduled

Match 23: Thursday, January 29, Evening – UP Warriorz vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Vadodara

Match 24: Friday, January 30, Evening – Gujarat Giants vs Mumbai Indians at Vadodara

Match 25: Saturday, January 31 – No match scheduled

Match 26: Sunday, February 1, Evening – Delhi Capitals vs UP Warriorz at Vadodara

Match 27: Monday, February 2 – No match scheduled

Playoffs:

Match 28: Tuesday, February 3, Evening – Eliminator at Vadodara

Match 29: Wednesday, February 4 – No match scheduled

Match 30: Thursday, February 5, Evening – Final at Vadodara

The Journey

The Women’s Premier League has delivered two different champions in its first two seasons. The debut edition in 2023 saw Mumbai Indians secure the trophy by defeating Meg Lanning’s Delhi Capitals. The following season featured a new champion as Smriti Mandhana’s Royal Challengers Bengaluru lifted their maiden title, with Delhi Capitals finishing runners up for the second time in a row.

Mumbai Indians reclaimed the championship last season, earning their second WPL title, while Delhi Capitals ended up as runners up for the third consecutive year.

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Will Virat Kohli And Rohit Sharma Play For India At 2027 ODI World Cup? Morne Morkel Makes BIG Statement

by Hansraj Agrawal | Nov 28, 2025 | Sports

Indian bowling coach Morne Morkel has backed veteran duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to feature at the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2027 highlighting their experience as a key asset for the team.

Notably, the debate surrounding the futures of Kohli and Sharma has continued ever since the two announced their retirement from Test cricket earlier this year.

With both already having stepped away from T20Is after last year’s World Cup victory, questions have persisted about whether they will be part of India’s plans for the 2027 Cricket World Cup. However, Morkel emphasised the value and stability they bring to the side.

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“Sure, they are quality players.As long as they are happy to put the hard work in and maintain fitness. I have always believed that to have that experience, you can’t find it anywhere. They have won trophies, they know how to play big tournaments,” said Morkel in the press conference on Friday.

“For sure, if they maintain their fitness and they physically feel their bodies can do that, it’s still a long way away, the World Cup,” he added.

Bouncing Back From Test Setback

India will be looking to bounce back from a historic Test series defeat to South Africa. The hosts were thoroughly outplayed in Guwahati after having lost the first Test in Kolkata after a fourth-innings batting debacle, resulting in South Africa securing their first Test series win on Indian soil in 25 years.

“It was a disappointing two weeks for us. But we have had a couple of days to reflect. The important thing is to keep all our energy towards the white-ball team. We have been playing good white-ball cricket. A couple of fresh energy into the squad with Virat and Rohit coming back. Excited for the next couple of weeks playing white-ball cricket,” said Morkel.

Morne Morkel Provides Key Injury Updates

The 41-year-old Morkel also provided key updates on the fitness of two important Indian batters, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer.

Gill, who suffered a neck spasm early in his innings during the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata, was subsequently ruled out of the second Test and the upcoming ODI series. On the other hand, Iyer has been sidelined for a longer period after sustaining a serious injury in the third ODI against Australia last month.

“I think the best is for the medical to give that. I spoke to Shubman two days ago just to check in with him and he is recovering well. So that is pleasing to hear,” said Morkel.

“Shreyas has also started his rehab, which is great. So yeah, we are looking forward to welcoming them back into the squad. And the good thing is that they are healthy and they are starting their preparation on their way back into the team,” he added.

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IPL Ownership Shake-Up: Rajasthan Royals Reportedly Join RCB For Sale List Ahead Of 2026 Season

by Hansraj Agrawal | Nov 28, 2025 | Sports

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is buzzing with off-field drama as reports emerge that the Rajasthan Royals (RR), the inaugural 2008 champions, are exploring a sale just months after the 2025 title winners, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), officially hit the market.

The back-to-back developments signal a period of significant transition for established IPL teams, with current owners seemingly keen to capitalize on the soaring franchise valuations in the world’s richest cricket league.

The Genesis Of The Rumours

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The speculation surrounding the Rajasthan Royals’ sale gained widespread attention following a social media post by prominent industrialist Harsh Goenka, the elder brother of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjiv Goenka.

“I hear, not one, but two IPL teams are now up for sale—RCB and RR. It seems clear that people want to cash in the rich valuations today. So two teams for sale and 4/5 possible buyers! Who will be the successful buyers – will it be from Pune, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru or USA?” Goenka posted on X (formerly Twitter) on November 27.

While RCB’s parent company, Diageo, had formally announced a “strategic review” of its investment, potentially leading to a full sale by March 31, 2026, the situation around the 2008 champions, RR, is less concrete, with no official confirmation yet from the Royals’ management.

Cashing In On Astronomical Valuations

The primary driver for both potential sales appears to be the unprecedented market value of IPL franchises.

RCB, the reigning 2025 IPL champions, are reportedly eyeing a staggering valuation close to USD 2 billion. The franchise’s 2025 IPL triumph has boosted its value

For Rajasthan Royals, currently majority-owned by Royals Sports Group (65%) with key minority stakes from investors like RedBird Capital Partners and Lachlan Murdoch, the decision to seek new buyers is viewed as a strategic opportunity to monetize their investment at a historic high point for the league.

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WPL 2026 के लिए MI का मजबूत स्क्वाड तैयार, नीता अंबानी बोलीं- पुराने खिलाड़ियों को वापस लाना

by Hansraj Agrawal | Nov 28, 2025 | Sports

मुंबई इंडियंस ने WPL 2026 के लिए एक मजबूत स्क्वाड तैयार कर लिया है. 2 बार की चैंपियन MI ने नीलामी से पूर्व 5 खिलाड़ियों को रिटेन कर लिया था. वहीं ऑक्शन में मुंबई ने न्यूजीलैंड की अमेलिया केर पर 3 करोड़ रुपये लुटाए. शबनिम इस्माइल से लेकर संस्कृति गुप्ता और सजना सजीवन के वापस आने से मुंबई का स्क्वाड पहले की तरह मजबूत नजर आ रहा है. MI फ्रैंचाइजी की मालिक नीता अंबानी का कहना है कि टीम ज्यादा से ज्यादा पुराने खिलाड़ियों को खरीदना चाहती थी.

बीते गुरुवार, 27 नवंबर को हुए ऑक्शन को लेकर नीता अंबानी ने कहा, “ऑक्शन के दिन बहुत रोमांचक होते हैं, लेकिन कभी-कभी परेशानी देने वाले भी होते हैं. हमारी रणनीति 2025 की विजेता टीम के ज्यादा से ज्यादा खिलाड़ियों को खरीदना था. अमेलिया केर के वापस आने और हमारे 4 खिलाड़ी: शबनिम, साइका, सजना और संस्कृति के आने से बहुत उत्साहित हूं. हम 3 युवाओं के आने से भी बहुत उत्साहित हैं, जो राहिला फिरदौस, नाल्ला क्रान्ति रेड्डी और त्रिवेणी वशिष्ठ हैं. मैं पूनम खेमनार, मिली इलिंगवर्थ और निकोला केरी का मुंबई इंडियंस परिवार में स्वागत करती हूं.”

कप्तान हरमनप्रीत कौर के अलावा नैट साइवर ब्रंट, हेली मैथ्यूज, अमनजोत कौर और जी कमलिनी को पहले ही रिटेन कर लिया था. MI ने उनके अलावा हालिया टी20 वर्ल्ड कप की प्लेयर ऑफ द टूर्नामेंट रहीं अमेलिया केर, एस सजना, साइका इशक, संस्कृति गुप्ता और तेज गेंदबाज शबनिम इस्माइल को वापस खरीद लिया है. भारत की वर्ल्ड कप विजेता कप्तान हरमनप्रीत कौर भी नई दिल्ली में आयोजित ऑक्शन में उपस्थित रही थीं. उन्होंने ऑक्शन टेबल पर रणनीतियों में अपना योगदान दिया.

इस अनुभव पर हरमनप्रीत कौर ने कहा, “मैं शुरुआत में घबराई हुई थी, लेकिन जिस तरह हमने सबकी योजना बनाई थी और सबकी भागीदारी मुझे बहुत अच्छी लगी, खासतौर पर नीता अंबानी. वो हमेशा टीम का सबसे बड़ा सहारा बनी रही हैं और हमेशा हमारा समर्थन करती हैं. हमें हमारे ज्यादातर पुराने साथी वापस मिल गए हैं, जो दर्शाता है कि उन खिलाड़ियों पर टीम को कितना भरोसा है.”

ये 5 खिलाड़ी मुंबई इंडियंस की सफलता में महत्वपूर्ण रहे हैं, इनमें साइका, सजना और संस्कृति इस टूर्नामेंट के उभरते हुए स्टार प्लेयर रहे हैं.

नामी खिलाड़ियों के अलावा MI ने कई बार वर्ल्ड कप विजेता रह चुकीं निकोला क्रे और और युवा तेज गेंदबाज मिली इलिंगवर्थ की ऑस्ट्रेलियाई जोड़ी को भी अपने स्क्वाड में शामिल किया है.

युवा भारतीय प्रतिभा को समर्थन देने की नीति के अनुरूप मुंबई इंडियंस ने भारतीय ऑलराउंडर नाल्ला क्रान्ति रेड्डी और त्रिवेणी वशिष्ठ को शामिल करते हुए एक संतुलित टीम तैयार की है. क्रान्ति और त्रिवेणी पहली बार WPL का हिस्सा बन रही होंगी.

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India To Host Sri Lanka For Five-Match Women T20I Series; Check Date, Venues And More

by Hansraj Agrawal | Nov 28, 2025 | Sports

India will host Sri Lanka for a five-match women’s T20I series from December 21 to 30, with the first two games to be played in Visakhapatnam before the remaining fixtures will be played in Thiruvananthapuram, said the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday.

As per a statement by BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, India and Sri Lanka will play first two T20Is on December 21 and 23 at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. The remaining three matches will be played on December 26, 28 and 30 at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.

The announcement comes after Bangladesh’s scheduled trip to India in December was postponed earlier this month amidst political tensions between the two countries, which had previously led to India men’s tour of Bangladesh being postponed to September 2026.

Visakhapatnam was the host to India’s league matches against South Africa and Australia during the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, as well as for the side’s ten-day pre-tournament camp. Thiruvananthapuram, meanwhile, will be playing hosts to women’s international games for the first time after hosting men’s T20Is and ODIs, as well as youth ODIs and Tests.

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The series against Sri Lanka will also be India’s first international outing after winning their maiden Women’s ODI World Cup title in Navi Mumbai earlier this month. It will also mark a key step in India’s preparations for the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, to be held in England from June 12 to July 5.

The T20I series against Sri Lanka will be followed by fourth edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), to be played from January 9 to February 5, 2026 in Navi Mumbai and Vadodara, before India leaves for the multi-format tour of Australia happening from February 15 to March 6.

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BFI Appoints Santiago Nieva As Head Coach Of Indian Women’s National Boxing Team

by Hansraj Agrawal | Nov 28, 2025 | Sports

The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) has appointed Santiago Nieva as the head coach of the Indian women’s national boxing team, marking the return of one of world boxing’s most accomplished high-performance leaders.

The Swedish tactician, who previously served as India’s High Performance Director from 2017 to 2021, steps back into the system at a moment of unprecedented momentum for Indian women’s boxing – with the mandate to elevate the team further as the nation enters a crucial new Olympic cycle.

National Women’s Boxing Team In Recent Months

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The national women’s team has produced a series of landmark results in recent months, most notably a complete medal sweep at the World Boxing Cup Finals 2025 in Greater Noida, finishing with seven gold, one silver, and two bronze medals, with several podiums coming in key Olympic weight categories.

With the Los Angeles 2028 cycle intensifying and Olympic parity across seven women’s divisions, Nieva will work on establishing Indian women as consistent global medal contenders across all weight categories.

Nieva’s appointment marks a strategic boost to India’s long-term Olympic preparation.

“Super excited to come back to India. I had five wonderful years here in my previous stint. I am very much looking forward to this next chapter, and hopefully, we can create something big together. I have had great success working with women boxers in the past,” said Santiago Nieva in a statement issued by Boxing Federation of India (BFI) on Friday.

“There is a huge potential within the Indian women’s team, and in LA (Olympics 2028), we’ll be aiming for something big and create history,” he added.

Santiago Nieva’s International Coaching Experience

Nieva brings over two decades of elite international coaching experience, having held some of the most influential high-performance roles in world boxing. Following his earlier stint with India, he most recently served as national head coach and Technical Lead of Boxing Australia’s High Performance Unit.

Before that, he spent several years shaping Sweden’s national program as Head Coach and Sports Director, guiding athletes across World Championships, continental tournaments, Olympic qualifiers, and multisport Games.

Nieva’s previous tenure with India left a lasting imprint on the country’s high-performance structure. Under his guidance, Indian boxing earned two podium finishes at the 2019 Men’s World Championships – Amit Panghal’s historic silver and Manish Kaushik’s bronze – before the nation fielded its largest-ever Olympic boxing squad at Tokyo 2020, where Lovlina Borgohain secured a breakthrough bronze.

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