The fifth season of the Women’s Premier League has a curtain-raiser fans would have picked themselves. Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Mumbai Indians, the only two teams to have lifted the WPL trophy, will face off in the opening game on January 14, 2027.
It is a contest between Smriti Mandhana’s reigning champions and a Mumbai side that has never been far from the top since the league began. Here is why the WPL 2027 opener already feels like a big-ticket game.
WPL 2027 at a Glance
| Season | WPL 2027 (fifth edition) |
| Start date | January 14, 2027 |
| Season opener | RCB vs MI |
| Final | February 7, 2027 |
| Number of teams | Five |
| Title holders | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| Most titles | RCB and MI (two each) |
The Only Two Teams to Win the WPL
In four seasons, the WPL trophy has only ever gone to Bengaluru or Mumbai. The two sides have taken turns at the top, which makes this opener feel like the start of the next chapter in their race.
- 2023: Mumbai Indians won the inaugural edition.
- 2024: Royal Challengers Bengaluru claimed their first title.
- 2025: Mumbai Indians won their second crown.
- 2026: Royal Challengers Bengaluru made it two titles each.
Whichever team wins the 2027 title will become the first franchise to win the WPL three times, and the race to that milestone begins on day one.
RCB Arrive as Champions
Bengaluru will start the season with plenty of confidence after a memorable 2026 final in Vadodara. Delhi Capitals set them 204 to win, a huge target in a final, but RCB got there with six wickets in hand and two balls left. Smriti Mandhana led the chase with a brilliant 87 off 41 balls, and Georgia Voll backed her up with 79 off 54.
Mandhana was the leading run-getter of the 2026 season with 377 runs, and she remains the heart of this RCB side. Alongside her, Bengaluru have held on to big names such as Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghosh, Shreyanka Patil and Lauren Bell.
New Faces in Red and Gold
RCB used the auction in Kochi on October 28 to add depth rather than rebuild. Their main signings were:
| Player | Price |
|---|---|
| Jess Jonassen | Rs 40 lakh |
| Chloe Tryon | Rs 30 lakh |
| Tejal Hasabnis | Rs 30 lakh |
| Vrinda Dinesh | Rs 10 lakh |
Jonassen, the experienced Australian left-arm spinning all-rounder, and Tryon, the hard-hitting South African, give RCB extra options with both bat and ball. Hasabnis and Dinesh add Indian batting depth to the squad.
Mumbai Indians Want Their Crown Back
For Mumbai, the opener is a chance to make an early point against the team that took their title away. MI have been the benchmark for consistency in the WPL, and under Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership in past seasons, they have built a reputation for strong all-round cricket and big-match calmness.
A win over the champions on day one would give Mumbai the perfect start in their push to become the first three-time WPL winners.
Key Battles to Watch
- Smriti Mandhana vs MI’s new-ball attack: RCB’s captain sets the tone at the top, and Mumbai will know that getting her early is half the job done.
- The two captains: Mandhana and Harmanpreet are India’s two biggest batting stars, and seeing them lead rival sides is always a big draw.
- RCB’s spin depth: With Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav and now Jess Jonassen, Bengaluru have several spin options for the middle overs.
- Ellyse Perry’s all-round role: One of the best all-rounders in the world, Perry can change a game with bat or ball.
A Short, Packed Season
WPL 2027 will be played over a little more than three weeks, from January 14 to February 7, leaving little room for slow starts. After the WPL, the focus moves to the ICC Women’s Champions Trophy, which has been moved from Sri Lanka to India, giving several players a valuable warm-up for the global event.
The full list of fixtures, venues and timings is expected to be announced soon. Until then, January 14 is the date to circle, as the WPL’s two biggest teams open the new season against each other.
