Mumbai Indians Set Their Sights on a Historic Triple Win in WPL

After leading India to its first ICC Women’s ODI World Cup at DY Patil Stadium just months ago, Harmanpreet Kaur is eager to channel that championship spirit into the upcoming Women’s Premier League (WPL) kickstarting in Navi Mumbai this Friday. The captain of the two-time WPL champions, Mumbai Indians (MI), is determined to secure a third title. “Every time I step onto the field, I remind my team that our goal is to lift the trophy. This new year [2026] begins with the WPL, and I carry the same enthusiasm and energy into this tournament. We’ve clinched two WPL titles in the last three seasons, and our ambition is to replicate that success this year,” Harmanpreet shared during MI’s pre-season press conference at a local hotel on Wednesday. The defending champions will face Smriti Mandhana’s Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their opening match. Interestingly, Harmanpreet, who once worked for Western Railway in Mumbai about a decade ago, expressed a deep connection with the city, attributing its positive atmosphere to her success. “My first job at WR was in Mumbai, making this city very special for me. Every time I play here, I feel the positive energy. I believe this season will be exceptional as well. Last season was remarkable for women’s cricket, and I hope this year starts on the same note,” she said, praising MI’s management for fostering a winning mentality. “Whenever I step onto the field, I aim for victory. We’ve been participating in World Cups for years, but a winning mindset changes the game. The WPL has transformed my approach to thinking, allowing me to break previous limitations. Working with MI has instilled a winning attitude in me, inspired by the men’s team’s history of success. They consistently focus on strategies to defeat opponents and claim titles, and that has influenced my own mindset,” she added. In the meantime, MI’s head coach, Lisa Keightley, a two-time World Cup champion from Australia, is thrilled to work with an all-female coaching staff. The team includes former Indian pacer Jhulan Goswami as mentor and bowling coach, ex-India cricketer Devika Palshikar as batting coach, along with former Australian players Nicole Bolton and Kristen Beams as fielding and spin bowling coaches, respectively. “Having an entirely female coaching panel is exhilarating and a fresh experience for me. We’re paving the way for women worldwide to see females in coaching roles, which is wonderful,” Keightley remarked. The Mumbai Indians currently hold a win-loss record of 20-9 in the WPL under Harmanpreet’s leadership.