WPL: Transforming Perspectives for Mumbai Indians’ Harmanpreet Kaur

The Mumbai Indians have clinched the Women’s Premier League title twice in the past three years, and their captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, is determined to keep the trophy in Mumbai for the upcoming 2026 season.

“The WPL has significantly transformed my mindset. In the past, I was held back by certain limitations,” Harmanpreet shared during a press conference on Wednesday.

The 36-year-old, who recently led India to victory in the Women’s ODI World Cup, added, “Mumbai Indians have been consistently winning IPL titles due to their single-minded focus on victory. This dedication has influenced my approach, and I’ve noticed a change in mindset wherever I’ve gone.”

For this season, Harmanpreet is supported by an all-female coaching team, including head coach Lisa Keightley, mentor and bowling coach Jhulan Goswami, batting coach Devika Palshikar, fielding coach Nicole Bolton, and spin-bowling coach Kristen Beams.

Keightley remarked, “In my 20 years of coaching elite teams, I’ve never had an all-female coaching staff. It’s wonderful for our players. I firmly believe that ‘if you can’t see it, you can’t be it.’ Having a female leader like Mrs. Nita Ambani, the team owner and the first Indian woman to join the International Olympic Committee, is significant. Her leadership has an impact from the top down.”

Jhulan, who also serves as a mentor in domestic cricket, considers the WPL a monumental development.

“Our domestic players participate in numerous tournaments, but they don’t receive the same recognition as in the WPL. Here, outstanding performance brings you closer to the national team, offering a tremendous opportunity. The players now realize this fully. It’s one of the best advancements in women’s cricket over the last three years,” she said.