The fourth season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) is all set to get underway on Friday evening, January 9, with a star-studded opening ceremony followed by a blockbuster opening match between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
Adding glamour to the evening, actor Jacqueline Fernandez will take centre stage at the opening ceremony, alongside popular rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh and Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu. The ceremony is expected to begin after 6:30 PM IST and promises a high-energy start to the season, setting the tone for another exciting edition of the league.
On the cricketing front, fans are eagerly awaiting the opening encounter between defending champions Mumbai Indians and former winners RCB. MI, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, enter the season as strong contenders once again, boasting a formidable overseas core. The likes of Hayley Matthews, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Amelia Kerr give Mumbai a well-balanced and experienced lineup, while Indian all-rounder Amanjot Kaur adds further depth.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru, captained by Smriti Mandhana, will be looking to start their campaign on a positive note. The team will, however, miss the services of Australian star Ellyse Perry, who has withdrawn from the season due to personal reasons despite being retained by the franchise. Even so, RCB still feature several match-winners, including explosive batter Richa Ghosh and overseas stars Grace Harris and Nadine de Klerk.
The opening match is also expected to feature several players who were part of India’s Women’s World Cup 2025 triumph, making the contest even more special for fans. With a packed stadium, glittering ceremony and two strong teams locking horns, WPL 2026 is set to begin with a bang, promising weeks of competitive and entertaining women’s cricket ahead.
