Mandhana, Harmanpreet Return to DY Patil, Opposing Teams This Time

Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana are set to face off in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 opener at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, as captains of Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, respectively. This iconic venue holds special memories for both, as it was here that India won its first ODI World Cup last November, with Harmanpreet and Mandhana playing key roles. Harmanpreet has since spoken of the venue becoming a hub for women's cricket in India, a sentiment Mandhana echoed ahead of the season. "Whenever you enter the ground, you remember exactly where the last catch was taken," she said, recalling Harmanpreet's leap at extra cover to dismiss South Africa's Nadine de Klerk and seal the win in the final. "This is still just one-and-a-half months later, but even after 20 years, if we come back to this ground, we are still going to remember exactly what happened on November 2." The friendship remains untouched but once the WPL begins, Harmanpreet said the focus will be on "how we can win against each other." For defending champions MI, the template established in the inaugural season - continuity, role clarity, a strong core and enviable depth - continues to serve them well. Retaining five players ahead of the auction preserved the backbone of the batting, while the return of familiar faces ensured stability. While other teams opted for reshuffles, MI doubled down on their processes, backing experience, investing in youth and trusting a leadership group that has grown with the league. The two captains, who share a great camaraderie, are looking forward to the challenge. Mandhana, who led RCB to their maiden WPL title in 2024, is focused on building on that success, while Harmanpreet aims to defend Mumbai Indians' title.