Mumbai Indians have started their training for the upcoming 2026 season of Women’s Premier league. Mumbai Indians will play the first match against defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore on 9th of January also marking the first match of the 2026 season. Saika Ishaque, Sanjana S, Sanskriti Gupta, Poonam Khemnar, Triveni Vasistha, N Kranthi Reddy and Rahila Firdous were the players spotted at the camp to kickstart their preparations. The opening session mainly focused on fitness, skill assessment and team integration, helping the players to practice and gain their rhythm under the close supervision of the coaching staff. Along with structured drills and net practice, the squad focused on growing momentum and unity.
“It’s really good. We’ve had one training. It was great to work with domestic players. Really excited to see what they can do,” Head Coach Lisa Keightley while speaking about the session said. “It’s a good opportunity to watch, to see and communicate and make connections with the players. I’m really excited and really impressed with what I have seen so far. So, let’s see how we go for the rest of the week.”
Saika Ishaque had finished the WPL 2023 season with 25 wickets in the tournament. She was picked up by MI in the WPL after scoring 14 runs from 8 balls under pressure during the quarter finals of the senior one-day trophy. Having played for India in 3 T20I matches and one ODI match, this season will be crucial to see whether Saika makes her comeback to the Indian team. With Radha Yadav, Vaishnavi Sharma and Shree Charani already in the team, it will be important for Saika to do something extraordinary in the season to grab the attention of the national selectors.
Sanjana S gained fame in the WPL by smashing the first ball she faced in the tournament for a six and helping Mumbai Indians win a league match against Delhi Capitals. Sanjana along with her off break skills looks promising with the bat and has played 14 international matches for India.
Sanskriti Gupta is a right arm off break bowler who was retained by Mumbai Indians for 20 lakhs. Having a lethal yorker under her armoury, it will be interesting to see how she transforms herself under the guidance of Kristen Beams. Poonam Khemnar, Triveni Vasistha and N Kranthi were also seen polishing their skills. It will be fascinating to see N Kranti develops her skill to add greater depth to the pace attack alongside Shabnim Ismail.
Rahila Firdous, though not a high scoring batter, with sharp glovework, calm lower-order batting, and on-field awareness, she provides valuable depth option who could quietly influence games when given an opportunity.
The session was crucial as it helped the players understand team’s plans ahead of the 2026 season. Eyes will also be on Harmanpreet Kaur after she led India to the Women’s ODI World Cup triumph. The WPL will also act as a preparatory platform for the forthcoming Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to be played in June.
For more updates, follow REVSPORTZ.
