Mumbai Indians (MI) is the most successful team in the three-year history of the Women’s Premier League (WPL). After winning the inaugural edition in 2023, they lifted the title again in 2025. Now, in 2026, under the recently crowned Women’s ODI World Cup-winning captain Harmanpreet Kaur, MI will look to defend their title.
Here is a SWOT analysis of the MI squad ahead of the new season.
Strength
Strong and settled core group
MI’s biggest strength lies in their core players, whom they chose to retain. Along with captain Harmanpreet, the franchise retained Hayley Matthews, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amanjot Kaur, and young wicketkeeper G Kamalini.
Harmanpreet, Matthews, Sciver-Brunt, and Amanjot have been part of the MI set-up since the inaugural season. Kamalini was also a member of the squad in 2025, and the management showed strong faith in her by retaining her for the upcoming season.
By retaining Matthews (off-spinner), Sciver-Brunt (seam-bowling all-rounder), and Amanjot (seam-bowling all-rounder), MI have already secured around 10-12 overs of reliable bowling, adding balance to their XI.
Weakness
Lack of an experienced fast bowler
MI have several seam-bowling options, including Shabnim Ismail, Milly Illingworth, Sciver-Brunt, Amanjot, Nicola Carey, and Nalla Reddy. However, when it comes to a premium and highly experienced fast bowler, Shabnim remains the only proven option.
At 37, the South African has been consistent across franchise leagues, and MI ensured her return by picking her again at the auction. Illingworth, the young Australian pacer, is another option, but her lack of experience and overseas status could limit her chances.
Most likely, Sciver-Brunt and Amanjot will support Ismail in the seam department. Carey is another all-round option MI may consider, given her recent form for Hobart Hurricanes in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), where she picked up 10 wickets in 11 innings and scored 186 runs at an average of 46.50 and a strike rate of 124.83. She played a key role in the Hurricanes’ title-winning campaign.
Opportunity
Big platform for young players
G Kamalini featured in nine matches last season and recently made her international debut during the home T20I series against Sri Lanka. MI showed faith in her by retaining her and releasing an experienced option like Yastika Bhatia. This season provides Kamalini a major opportunity to repay that trust and strengthen her case for a spot in India’s T20 World Cup squad.
Similarly, Poonam Khemnar has a chance to rise as a leg-spin option. While she is not a youngster anymore, leg spin remains a key area where India are still searching for depth. If given opportunities, Khemnar will look to make a strong impact.
Threat
Fitness concerns around Hayley Matthews
Hayley Matthews is set to return after a long injury layoff. In June 2025, she suffered a shoulder injury, which forced her to miss both the WBBL and the Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL). She opted for surgery and is now ready to return.
However, questions remain over her fitness, especially whether she will be able to bowl. If Matthews is unable to bowl regularly, MI’s team balance and combinations could be affected.
Inexperienced wicketkeeping options
After releasing Yastika, MI now have only two wicketkeeping options — Kamalini and Rahila Firdous. Both are young and inexperienced, which could become a concern during high-pressure moments in the tournament.
Full squad
Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Hayley Matthews, Amanjot Kaur, G Kamalini (WK), Amelia Kerr, Shabnim Ismail, Sanskriti Gupta, Sajana Sajeevan, Rahila Firdous (WK), Nicola Carey, Poonam Khemnar, Triveni Vasistha, Nalla Reddy, Saika Ishaque, Milly Illingworth.
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