The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 is set to ignite the cricketing world as it enters its fourth blockbuster season starting January 9. This edition promises a fresh competitive edge following a high-stakes mega auction and historic venue shifts to Navi Mumbai and Vadodara.

Defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) will launch the tournament in a high-octane opener against 2024 winners Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the DY Patil Stadium. With five world-class franchises battling across 22 matches, the league continues to solidify its status as the premier global platform for women’s T20 cricket. Fans are particularly eager to see if a new leader or a recurring powerhouse will claim the trophy on February 5 in the Vadodara final.

Aakash Chopra picks the WPL 2026 winner

Former Indian cricketer and analyst Aakash Chopra has made a bold prediction, tipping the Delhi Capitals (DC) to finally secure their maiden title in 2026. Despite reaching the final in all three previous seasons, DC has famously struggled at the final hurdle, losing twice to Mumbai and once to RCB.

Chopra noted on JioStar’s ‘TATA WPL 2026 Predictions’ that the Capitals have “put together a very good squad” and deserve to break their jinx after being consistent finalists. This year, the team moves away from the veteran leadership of Meg Lanning and enters a new era under Jemimah Rodrigues. The young Indian star is riding a massive wave of momentum after her “instant classic” 127 off 134 balls* against Australia in the 2025 World Cup semi-final, which helped India chase down a record-breaking 339 to eventually claim the world title.

“I think Delhi Capitals will win, this time around. They have put together a very good squad and they have reached the finals all three times. Let them win it once,” Chopra said on Star Sports.

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The Race for the Orange Cap in the WPL 2026

When it comes to individual brilliance, Chopra identified RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana as the “frontrunner” to clinch the Orange Cap for most runs this season. Mandhana is coming off a legendary 2025 calendar year where she became the first woman to score 1,700+ runs in a single year across formats, recently surpassing 10,000 international runs. While her WPL average of 24.84 has been modest compared to her international standards, her recent form, including centuries in all three formats in 2025—suggests a massive breakout season is imminent.

However, Chopra was quick to name DC opener Shafali Verma as a potent threat to Mandhana’s ambitions. Shafali currently sits as the fourth-highest run-getter in WPL history with 865 runs at a staggering strike rate of 162.59, and after ending 2025 with a T20I average of 52.12, she remains the most explosive weapon in the Delhi arsenal.

“I think it could be RCB captain, Smriti Mandhana, to score the most number of runs this WPL season. Smriti Mandhana might be the frontrunner in the race to win the Orange Cap and she might even win it. Alongside her, I feel, Shafali Verma, who will open for the Delhi Capitals, could be a strong contender as well.”

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

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