Defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) are intensifying their preparations for the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) with the addition of former South African fast bowler Shabnim Ismail and Australian players Milly Illingworth and Nicola Carey to their training camp. The team has commenced training to defend their title in the upcoming WPL season, having emerged victorious in two out of the three previous seasons. Mumbai Indians will commence their campaign on January 9 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the 2024 champions, at the DY Patil Stadium.
Shabnim Ismail, who previously played for MI and was acquired back by the franchise in a recent mega auction, is known for her exceptional performance as a quick bowler. Milly and Nicola will be making their debut in the WPL this season. Jhulan Goswami, MI’s bowling coach and mentor, expressed excitement about the upcoming season, particularly highlighting the impact of Shabnim Ismail on the team dynamics.
As the team continues to assemble its squad, star players like skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, Nat Sciver-Brunt, and Amanjot Kaur are expected to join in the following days. MI is focusing on enhancing team cohesion, refining skills, and strategizing for the new season during their pre-training program. The 28-day tournament is scheduled to take place at two venues in Navi Mumbai and BCA Stadium, Vadodara. Notably, this season marks the first time the WPL will be held in the January-February window, a departure from the previous seasons held in February-March before the Indian Premier League (IPL) commenced.
