As the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 gets underway, one of the most influential voices in Indian women’s cricket — Smriti Mandhana — has delivered a clear and motivating message to the next generation of players:
outstanding performances in the WPL can open doors to the Indian national team and the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Mandhana, the captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the WPL and one of India’s premier batters, emphasized the league’s growing role not just as a domestic T20 competition but as a critical talent pipeline to international cricket. Speaking at a joint press conference with Harmanpreet Kaur, skipper of Mumbai Indians Women, Mandhana made it unequivocally clear that selectors will be tracking standout performers closely throughout the tournament.
WPL: More than Just a League — a Gateway to Global Cricket
Since its inception, the WPL has rapidly evolved from a fledgling domestic tournament into a vibrant professional league boasting some of the best international and Indian talent. For young Indian cricketers — particularly those on the fringes of national selection — this presents a rare and valuable platform to showcase their skills against high‑caliber opponents.
Mandhana drew attention to this aspect, noting that any player who produces an “extraordinary season” will be considered for selection when the T20 World Cup squad is ultimately chosen. While she was careful to point out that strong individual performances do not automatically guarantee a spot (selectors will also weigh team balance and defined roles), she affirmed that the doors are not closed on newcomers or emerging talent.
This stance reflects a significant shift in how league performance is valued in India’s talent structure. Historically, domestic cricket and international exposure were the primary selectors’ forums for evaluation. But with the WPL drawing global stars and becoming increasingly competitive, it has now joined that elite list as a legitimate avenue towards national inclusion.
Opportunity Knocks for Young Players
For many young Indian cricketers — especially those who have consistently performed in domestic tournaments but are yet to break into the main squad — the WPL represents a high‑stakes audition. Facing quality international bowlers and batters week after week demands both skill and temperament, qualities selectors are eager to assess ahead of a World Cup.
Mandhana’s message is as much motivational as it is strategic. It urges youngsters to take ownership of their opportunities and showcase their ability to perform under pressure — a crucial trait in T20 cricket, and particularly in a global event like the T20 World Cup.
In a sport where selection is often influenced as much by timing and form as by raw talent, the WPL presents a moment for emerging players to accelerate their careers. Performances here aren’t just about statistics — they are about convincing selectors that a player has the temperament, consistency, and match awareness required at the highest level.
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What Smriti Had to Say
Mandhana’s comments came amid the build‑up to the new WPL season. She reinforced that standout performances in the T20 league could significantly strengthen a player’s case for national selection, especially with the Women’s T20 World Cup around the corner.
She said:
“If there is an exciting talent and someone has an extraordinary season, I am sure there will be a place in the T20 World Cup as well.”
Her words clearly underline the opportunity that the WPL offers — not merely as another league, but as a proving ground for India’s next generation of international cricketers.
Mandhana also acknowledged that while consistent displays matter greatly, selection decisions will also account for the team’s composition and role requirements. This is an important nuance: selectors look not only at individual brilliance but how a player’s skills fit the team’s broader strategy in a World Cup context.
Harmanpreet Kaur Echoes the Vision
Joining Mandhana at the press event, Harmanpreet Kaur supported the sentiment, emphasizing the shift in Indian women’s cricket’s mindset. She spoke about the team’s ambition to sustain success, not just achieve it once, and how the competitive environment fostered by leagues like the WPL is part of that evolution.
Harmanpreet highlighted that players are now more accustomed to pressure situations, thanks to competing alongside and against international stars in the league. This, she said, helps bridge the experience gap between domestic and international cricket — making players better prepared for high‑stakes events like the World Cup.
Why the WPL Matters in the Selection Equation
There are several reasons why the WPL’s role in shaping India’s T20 World Cup squad has grown so prominently:
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High‑Quality Competition: With international stars and top Indian players in the mix, the WPL tests skills against a calibre of opposition that mirrors international cricket.
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Visibility: Selectors, coaches, and national team management now scrutinize performances in the WPL closely, making it a valuable showcase for talent.
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Pressure Scenarios: Young players get exposure to pressure situations — match‑winning moments, tense finishes, and game pivots — all of which sharpen their competitive edge.
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Professional Environment: The league replicates the demands of international professional cricket in terms of preparation, fitness standards, and strategic depth.
All of these elements combine to make the WPL not just a league, but a developmental ecosystem for aspiring stars of India’s women’s cricket.
Looking Ahead to the T20 World Cup
With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup scheduled for later this year, India’s selection process will be under the spotlight. Mandhana’s message makes the stakes clear: performances in the WPL matter. They could very well be the decisive factor in whether a budding talent earns a place on the world stage.
For selectors, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity: to identify players who not only excel statistically but also demonstrate the temperament and adaptability required for the world’s biggest T20 tournament.
For young players, Mandhana’s words serve as a rallying cry — an invitation to seize the moment, put their best foot forward, and perhaps write their names into the next chapter of Indian cricket history.
