The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 is set to be an exciting season, with five teams competing for the coveted title. Each team is led by a captain who brings unique skills, experience, and leadership qualities to the table. In this article, we will compare the captains of all WPL 2025 teams and analyze their chances of winning, based on their strengths, team composition, and past performances.
The Captains of WPL 2025
Smriti Mandhana (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)
Smriti Mandhana, the captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), is one of the most talented and experienced players in women’s cricket. Known for her elegant stroke play and consistency, Mandhana has been a key player for India and RCB. Under her leadership, RCB won their maiden WPL title in 2024, and she will be looking to defend the title in 2025.
Strengths:
- Prolific run-scorer with a wide range of shots.
- Calm and composed under pressure.
- Strong leadership skills and ability to inspire her team.
Team Composition: RCB has a balanced squad with a mix of experienced players and young talents. Key players include Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghosh, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, and Charlie Dean. The team has a strong batting lineup and a versatile bowling attack, making them a formidable opponent.
Chances of Winning: With a strong squad and an experienced captain, RCB has a high chance of defending their title. Mandhana’s leadership and the team’s depth in both batting and bowling give them a significant advantage.
Harmanpreet Kaur (Mumbai Indians)
Harmanpreet Kaur, the captain of Mumbai Indians (MI), is a powerful middle-order batter and a handy off-spinner. She led MI to their inaugural WPL title in 2023 and has been a consistent performer for both India and MI. Kaur’s aggressive batting style and ability to perform under pressure make her a key player for MI.
Strengths:
- Aggressive batting and ability to change the game.
- Experience in leading teams to victory.
- Strong tactical acumen and decision-making skills.
Team Composition: MI has a well-rounded squad with strong batting and bowling units. Key players include Nat Sciver-Brunt, Hayley Matthews, Amelia Kerr, and Saika Ishaque. The team has a good mix of international stars and domestic talents, providing depth and versatility.
Chances of Winning: MI has a strong chance of winning the WPL 2025, given their balanced squad and experienced captain. Kaur’s leadership and the team’s ability to perform in crucial moments make them one of the top contenders.
Meg Lanning (Delhi Capitals)
Meg Lanning, the captain of Delhi Capitals (DC), is one of the most successful batters in women’s cricket. Known for her consistency and ability to anchor the innings, Lanning has been a key player for Australia and DC. She led DC to the finals in the previous editions but fell short of winning the title.
Strengths:
- Consistent run-scorer with a wealth of experience.
- Strong leadership and ability to guide young players.
- Tactical brilliance and ability to read the game.
Team Composition: DC has a formidable lineup with a blend of experience and youth. Key players include Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Marizanne Kapp, and Jess Jonassen. The team has a strong batting lineup and a versatile bowling attack, making them a tough opponent.
Chances of Winning: DC has a good chance of winning the WPL 2025, given their strong squad and experienced captain. Lanning’s leadership and the team’s depth in both batting and bowling give them a significant advantage.
Ashleigh Gardner (Gujarat Giants)
Ashleigh Gardner, the captain of Gujarat Giants (GG), is an aggressive all-rounder with both bat and ball. Known for her explosive batting and effective off-spin, Gardner has been a key player for Australia and GG. She was named the new captain for GG in 2025 and will be looking to lead her team to their first WPL title.
Strengths:
- Aggressive batting and ability to change the game.
- Effective off-spin and ability to take crucial wickets.
- Strong leadership and ability to inspire her team.
Team Composition: GG has a strong squad with several match-winners. Key players include Beth Mooney, Deandra Dottin, Harleen Deol, and Meghna Singh. The team has a good mix of international stars and domestic talents, providing depth and versatility.
Chances of Winning: GG has a strong chance of winning the WPL 2025, given their balanced squad and experienced captain. Gardner’s leadership and the team’s ability to perform in crucial moments make them one of the top contenders.
Deepti Sharma (UP Warriorz)
Deepti Sharma, the captain of UP Warriorz (UPW), is an all-rounder with effective off-spin and useful batting. She was named the new captain for UPW in 2025, replacing Alyssa Healy, who is out due to a foot injury. Sharma’s leadership and all-round abilities make her a key player for UPW.
Strengths:
- Effective off-spin and ability to take crucial wickets.
- Useful batting and ability to anchor the innings.
- Strong leadership and ability to guide young players.
Team Composition: UPW has a well-rounded squad with a mix of experienced players and young talents. Key players include Sophie Ecclestone, Tahlia McGrath, Chamari Athapaththu, and Alana King. The team has a strong bowling attack and a versatile batting lineup, making them a tough opponent.
Chances of Winning: UPW has a good chance of winning the WPL 2025, given their balanced squad and experienced captain. Sharma’s leadership and the team’s depth in both batting and bowling give them a significant advantage.
Comparing the Captains
Leadership Skills
All five captains bring unique leadership skills to their teams. Smriti Mandhana and Meg Lanning are known for their calm and composed leadership, while Harmanpreet Kaur and Ashleigh Gardner bring an aggressive and dynamic approach. Deepti Sharma, although new to captaincy, has shown strong leadership qualities and the ability to guide young players.
Batting Prowess
In terms of batting prowess, Smriti Mandhana, Meg Lanning, and Harmanpreet Kaur are among the top batters in women’s cricket. Their ability to score runs consistently and anchor the innings makes them invaluable to their teams. Ashleigh Gardner and Deepti Sharma, while not as prolific as the others, bring a dynamic and aggressive approach to their batting.
Bowling Abilities
When it comes to bowling, Deepti Sharma and Ashleigh Gardner stand out with their effective off-spin. Harmanpreet Kaur and Meg Lanning also contribute with their part-time bowling, while Smriti Mandhana focuses primarily on her batting.
Experience
Meg Lanning and Harmanpreet Kaur bring a wealth of experience to their teams, having led their national sides in numerous international matches. Smriti Mandhana and Ashleigh Gardner, while relatively younger, have also gained significant experience in recent years. Deepti Sharma, although new to captaincy, has been a key player for India and brings valuable experience to UPW.
Logical Prediction: Chances of Winning
Based on the analysis of the captains and their teams, here is a logical prediction of their chances of winning the WPL 2025:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
With a strong squad and an experienced captain in Smriti Mandhana, RCB has a high chance of defending their title. The team’s depth in both batting and bowling, combined with Mandhana’s leadership, makes them one of the top contenders.
Mumbai Indians (MI)
Mumbai Indians, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, have a balanced squad with strong batting and bowling units. Kaur’s leadership and the team’s ability to perform in crucial moments give them a strong chance of winning the WPL 2025.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
Delhi Capitals, under the leadership of Meg Lanning, have a formidable lineup with a blend of experience and youth. Lanning’s consistency and tactical brilliance, combined with the team’s depth, make them a strong contender for the title.
Gujarat Giants (GG)
Gujarat Giants, led by Ashleigh Gardner, have a strong squad with several match-winners. Gardner’s aggressive approach and the team’s versatility give them a good chance of winning the WPL 2025.
UP Warriorz (UPW)
UP Warriorz, captained by Deepti Sharma, have a well-rounded squad with a mix of experienced players and young talents. Sharma’s leadership and the team’s depth in both batting and bowling give them a significant advantage, making them a strong contender for the title.
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 promises to be an exciting season, with five strong teams competing for the title. Each captain brings unique skills and leadership qualities to their team, making the competition even more thrilling. Based on the analysis, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Mumbai Indians, and Delhi Capitals emerge as the top contenders, with Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz also having a strong chance of winning. As the tournament unfolds, it will be fascinating to see how these captains lead their teams and who ultimately lifts the trophy.