Harmanpreet Kaur back in action as WPL 2026 approaches
The fourth edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) is set to run from January 9 to February 5, 2026, and India captain Harmanpreet Kaur will lead Mumbai Indians (MI) as they defend their title. MI, under Harmanpreet’s leadership, have already lifted the trophy twice in the first three seasons and head into the new campaign as reigning champions.
Strong international form ahead of the tournament
Harmanpreet arrived at the WPL in good touch after captaining India in a five-match T20I series against Sri Lanka at home in December. India dominated the series (4-0), and Harmanpreet scored 130 runs in five innings at an average of 65 and a strike rate of 131.31. Her best came in the final game in Thiruvananthapuram, where she struck a match-winning 68 off 43 balls and picked up the Player of the Match award.
WPL showdown: Harmanpreet Kaur vs Ellyse Perry (stat snapshot)
With Australian great Ellyse Perry having withdrawn from WPL 2026 for personal reasons, a quick look at how the two batters compare in the tournament so far paints an interesting picture.
| Player | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | Highest Score | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harmanpreet Kaur | 27 | 851 | 40.52 | 143.50 | 95* | 8 |
| Ellyse Perry | 25 | 972 | 64.80 | 132.96 | 90* | 8 |
Key differences
- Harmanpreet has the higher strike rate (143.50) overall, reflecting her aggressive finishing ability.
- Perry’s average (64.80) is notably higher, showing her consistency in the middle order for RCB across fewer outings.
- Both players have produced eight fifty-plus scores in the WPL so far, but their biggest innings differ: Harmanpreet’s 95* and Perry’s 90*.
Performance against specific opponents
Both batters have figures that show particular success against some teams:
- Harmanpreet vs Gujarat Giants (GG): 351 runs in 7 matches — average 70.20, strike rate 179.08.
- Harmanpreet vs Delhi Capitals (DC): 262 runs in 8 matches — strike rate 134.35.
- Harmanpreet vs UP Warriorz (UPW): 133 runs in 6 matches — strike rate 120.90.
- Perry vs MI: 322 runs in 7 matches — average 80.50, strike rate 127.77.
- Perry vs DC: 249 runs in 6 matches — strike rate 124.50.
- Perry vs UPW: 246 runs in 6 matches — strike rate 147.30.
Who has more 50-plus scores?
Both Harmanpreet and Perry have eight fifties in WPL competition. Harmanpreet’s highest is a 95* made against Gujarat Giants in Delhi during WPL 2024, a 48-ball knock featuring ten fours and five sixes. She also produced a notable 66 off 44 balls in the WPL 2025 final at Brabourne Stadium.
Perry’s best is 90* (56 balls) against UP Warriorz, an innings that contained nine fours and three sixes. She also had a match-winning 81 off 43 balls against MI in the same season.
Impact in wins and losses
How each player performs in wins and defeats underlines their value to their teams:
| Player | Matches in wins | Runs in wins | Average (wins) | SR (wins) | 50s in wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harmanpreet Kaur | 19 | 680 | 52.30 | 150.44 | 8 |
| Ellyse Perry | 11 | 372 | 74.40 | 126.96 | 3 |
Harmanpreet has been a match-winner for MI: all eight of her WPL fifties have come in games MI won. In MI defeats, she has managed only 171 runs in eight matches at an average of 21.37 and a strike rate of 121.27. Perry, on the other hand, has a remarkable record of runs even in losing causes — 510 runs in 13 losses at an average of 81 and a strike rate of 133.50, alongside four fifties. She also scored 90 in a tied match, striking at over 160.
What to expect in WPL 2026
With Harmanpreet fit, confident and leading MI into WPL 2026, fans can expect aggressive batting up top, leadership that has already delivered two titles, and continued big scores against teams like Gujarat Giants and Delhi Capitals. Perry’s absence changes the competitive landscape — RCB will miss a reliable run-scorer, while MI gain momentum with their skipper in form.
Ultimately, WPL 2026 promises high-quality T20 cricket, and Harmanpreet’s form will be central to MI’s title defence. Expect power hitting, smart captaincy and a few headline-making innings as the tournament unfolds.