Mumbai Indians Gear Up for WPL 2023 Opener Against RCB

Mumbai Indians Set to Defend Their Title

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 7: Following their triumphant performance in the last edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), the Mumbai Indians (MI), recognized as the most successful franchise in the tournament, are eager to kick off the new season. They will face the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the opening match on January 9.

MI captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who led the Indian women's cricket team to World Cup victory, aims to channel that success into defending their league title.

“Every time I step onto the field, I remind my team that our goal is to win the trophy. This new year begins with the WPL, and I carry the same enthusiasm and energy into the tournament. Our mindset remains unchanged. We’ve secured two trophies in the last three seasons, and we’re determined to perform well and reclaim the title this season,” Harmanpreet expressed during a pre-season press conference in Mumbai.

“This is my first role in Mumbai, and it holds a special place in my heart. Whenever I play here, I tend to see positive outcomes. I believe this season will also be remarkable. I’m thrilled that last season and the previous year were significant for women’s cricket, and I hope this year begins on a similar note,” she added.

This season, the team will also draw motivation from Lisa Keightley, a two-time World Cup champion, who is set to lead the Mumbai Indians for her inaugural WPL season. Lisa shared her excitement about having an all-female coaching staff, highlighting how it aligns with MI’s values and Nita M. Ambani’s vision of empowering women through sports.

“Having a completely female coaching panel is incredibly exciting and a unique experience for me. We’re providing an opportunity for supporters and women globally to see females in coaching roles. I hope to see this trend grow in the future,” she remarked, as noted in a release.

“Having female leaders in influential positions making decisions, as Mr. Ambani also supports our female coaching staff, is crucial. It starts from the top and trickles down, making it fantastic to have these opportunities,” Lisa concluded.

MI mentor and bowling coach Jhulan Goswami expressed her thoughts on the new head coach, stating, “It’s a privilege to work with her, given her 20 years of coaching experience. We have much to learn under her guidance. At MI, we believe in empowering women, and having an all-female coaching team is a significant advantage for us.”

MI has retained the core group from last year’s championship-winning team.