If you’ve been counting down the days to the 2nd edition of Madhya Pradesh’s top women’s T20 league, you don’t have to scour multiple sources for squad news anymore.
Madhya Pradesh Women’s League 2026 Teams
We’ve compiled the complete, official Madhya Pradesh Women’s League 2026 Teams and full player rosters for all five franchises, plus the context you need to follow the season like a pro.
MPWL 2026: A Quick Context Primer
Organized by the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA), the Madhya Pradesh Women’s League is the state’s premier franchise-based women’s T20 tournament, built to bridge the gap between grassroots cricket and the national stage.
The 2026 edition is a landmark one: expanded from 3 to 5 franchises, with a player draft held on April 30, 2026, in Gwalior.
Defending champions Chambal Ghariyals will face off against two returning sides and two brand-new franchises, making this the most competitive MPWL season to date.
Full Madhya Pradesh Women’s League 2026 Teams & Squads
Below is the official, confirmed squad list for every team competing in the 2026 tournament:
1. Chambal Ghariyals (Defending Champions)
The only unbeaten side of the 2025 season, the Ghariyals return with a stacked 15-player squad anchored by two elite icon players: Indian national team all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar and consistent domestic bowler Rahila Firdous.
Squad:
- Jincy George
- Dhani Buchade
- Aditi Panwar
- Vaishnavi Singh
- Avni Tater
- Purvi Khanaa
- Aditi Tiwari
- Somiya Ali Ans
- Pooja Vastrakar (Icon)
- Rachna Yadav
- Rahila Firdous (Icon)
- Khyati Shukla
- Kanishka Thakur
- Siddhi Dubey
- Anamika Raghuwanshi
Key strength: Defending champion experience plus national-level star power make them the clear title favorites.
2. Bundelkhand Bulls (2025 Runners-Up)
Finishing just one win short of the 2025 title, the Bulls have the largest squad in the 2026 tournament at 15 players, led by icon player and top-order batter Shuchi Upadhyay.
Squad:
- Anushka Sharma
- Mahi Thakur
- Muskan Biswas
- Honey Yadav
- Dakshita Yadav
- Yashashwini B
- Maya Marskole
- Khayti Jain
- Shuchi Upadhyay (Icon)
- Disha Sharma
- Ananya Dubey
- Payal Balmik
- Suhani Sharma
- Vaidehi Rajput
- Suditi Vashistha
Key strength: Roster flexibility from their large squad size, plus motivation to close the gap on the 2025 title.
3. Bhopal Wolves (2025 Winless Debutants)
After a winless 2025 campaign, the Wolves have completely revamped their 15-player squad, anchored by icon all-rounder Aayushi Shukla, with added depth to their batting lineups and spin options suited to Madhya Pradesh pitches.
Squad:
- Sanskriti Gupta
- Tamanna C
- Hanshikha Kirar
- Vaishnavi Vyas
- Anjali Patidar
- Rishita Parihar
- Saanvi Bhawsar
- Janhvi Rajput
- Aayushi Shukla (Icon)
- Reena Yadav
- Priyanka Koushal
- Anshula Rao
- Roshani Kumari
- Vanshika P
- Kajal
Key strength: Hungry, low-pressure roster with no title expectations, giving them room to surprise higher-ranked sides.
4. Gwalior Shernis (New Franchise)
One of two 2026 additions, the Shernis represent Gwalior, with home-ground advantage from the draft city itself. Their 13-player squad is anchored by a trio of experienced icon players: Nuzhat Parween, Kranti Gaud, and Soumya Tiwari.
Squad:
- Nuzhat Parween (Icon)
- Jiya Jethwa
- Soumya Tiwari (Icon)
- Tanvi Upadhyay
- Kranti Gaud (Icon)
- Ishana Swami
- Khushi Yadav
- Riya Yadav
- Anaadi Tagde
- Unnati Bagora
- Aashna Patidar
- Sakshi Pachor
- Shreya Dixit
Key strength: A veteran core of icon players with years of domestic cricket experience, plus strong local fan support.
5. Royal Nimar Eagles (New Franchise)
The second new 2026 entrant, the Eagles, draw from the Nimar region of western Madhya Pradesh, with ties to Indore’s strong domestic cricket ecosystem. Their compact 13-player squad is led by dual icon players Nikita Singh and Vaishnavi Sharma.
Squad:
- Nikita Singh (Icon)
- Vaishnavi Sharma (Icon)
- Dipti Singh
- Muskan Yogi
- Soniya Singh
- Khushi Yadav
- Yamini Billore
- Kalyani Jadhav
- Janvi Rai
- Lakshita Mahe
- Tanishka Sen
- Harshita Singh
- Rishika Jain
Key strength: A clear, focused team identity built around their two star icon batters, with the unpredictable energy of a debut franchise.
Squad Snapshot: All 5 Franchises at a Glance
| Team | Squad Size | Icon Player(s) | 2025 Finish | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chambal Ghariyals | 15 | Pooja Vastrakar, Rahila Firdous | 1st (Champions) | Defending Champions |
| Bundelkhand Bulls | 15 | Shuchi Upadhyay | 2nd (Runners-Up) | Returning Franchise |
| Bhopal Wolves | 15 | Aayushi Shukla | 3rd (Winless) | Returning Franchise |
| Gwalior Shernis | 13 | Nuzhat Parween, Kranti Gaud, Soumya Tiwari | N/A | New Franchise |
| Royal Nimar Eagles | 13 | Nikita Singh, Vaishnavi Sharma | N/A | New Franchise |
Players to Watch in MPWL 2026
A few names stand out even before the first ball is bowled:
- Pooja Vastrakar (Chambal Ghariyals): The Indian national team all-rounder is the most high-profile player in the tournament, and her ability to anchor both batting and bowling lineups gives the defending champions a massive edge in high-pressure matches.
- Nuzhat Parween (Gwalior Shernis): A veteran wicketkeeper-batter and one of the most recognizable names in Madhya Pradesh women’s cricket, she’ll lead the Shernis’ batting core in their debut season.
- Shuchi Upadhyay (Bundelkhand Bulls): The consistent top-order batter is the cornerstone of the Bulls’ lineup, and will be looking to lift the title she narrowly missed in 2025.
- Aayushi Shukla (Bhopal Wolves): Tasked with turning around the Wolves’ winless 2025 record, the skilled spin all-rounder will carry the bulk of the team’s bowling and middle-order batting responsibility.
- Nikita Singh (Royal Nimar Eagles): The Eagles’ lead icon batter will look to make an immediate statement in the franchise’s debut campaign.
Why This League Matters for Indian Women’s Cricket?
The MPWL is far more than a local tournament: it’s a critical talent pipeline for Indian women’s cricket.
For players from Madhya Pradesh and surrounding central Indian states, the league is one of the only high-stakes franchise platforms to get scouted by BCCI selectors for national youth and senior teams.
Icon players like Pooja Vastrakar also mentor young local talent, raising the overall standard of play across the state, while growing media coverage helps build a dedicated fanbase for women’s domestic cricket in a region that’s already produced multiple Indian national team players.
FAQs
- 1. How many teams are in the Madhya Pradesh Women’s League 2026?
Five franchises are competing in the 2026 edition: the returning Chambal Ghariyals, Bundelkhand Bulls, and Bhopal Wolves, plus the two new additions Gwalior Shernis and Royal Nimar Eagles.
- 2. Who is the biggest star player in the MPWL 2026?
Pooja Vastrakar, Indian national team all-rounder and icon player for defending champions Chambal Ghariyals, is the highest-profile player in the 2026 tournament.
- 3. When and where was the MPWL 2026 draft held?
The player draft took place on April 30, 2026, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.
- 4. Which team won the first MPWL season in 2025?
The Chambal Ghariyals won the inaugural 2025 Madhya Pradesh Women’s League title, finishing the season unbeaten.
- 5. How many players are in each MPWL 2026 squad?
Squad sizes range from 13 to 15 players: three returning franchises (Chambal Ghariyals, Bundelkhand Bulls, Bhopal Wolves) have 15 players each, while the two new franchises (Gwalior Shernis, Royal Nimar Eagles) have 13 players each.
- 6. Will the MPWL 2026 be streamed online?
Streaming details have not been officially announced by the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) yet. Fans can check the MPCA’s official social media channels for updates closer to the tournament start date.
Conclusion
The Madhya Pradesh Women’s League 2026 is shaping up to be the most exciting edition of the tournament yet.
With five teams, 71 total players across all squads, and a mix of defending champions, hungry returning sides, and energetic new franchises, the stakes have never been higher.
Whether you’re a long-time MP cricket fan or new to women’s domestic cricket, this is a tournament worth following.
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