Introduction
The excitement for the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 is building up, with Indian cricket stars Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma set to take the spotlight. The two leading batters represent different franchises and have impressive statistics that intrigue fans.
WPL 2026 Format and Schedule
The WPL 2026 season will run from January 9 to February 5, featuring 22 matches held across two venues: Navi Mumbai and Vadodara. The tournament kicks off with a clash between the defending champions, Mumbai Indians, and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Fans are eager to see how both players perform in this intense competition.
Batting Stats Overview
Here's a comparative look at the WPL stats of Mandhana and Shafali:
| Player | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | Half-Centuries |
|---|
| Smriti Mandhana | 26 | 646 | 24.84 | 128.68 | 4 |
| Shafali Verma | 27 | 865 | 36.04 | 162.59 | 6 |
Head-to-Head Performances
Mandhana has shown solid performances against different teams. Notably:
- Averaging 34.57 against DC with 242 runs in 7 matches.
- Scored 156 runs against MI, averaging 22.28 over 7 matches.
On the other hand, Shafali has been a consistent run-scorer:
- She scored 281 runs against RCB, averaging 46.83 over 7 matches.
- A remarkable strike rate of 186.66 against GG with 252 runs in 6 matches.
Winning Contributions
The ability to contribute in winning matches defines both players. Mandhana's stats reflect her performance in winning causes:
| Team | Wins | Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|
| RCB | 11 | 368 | 33.45 | 135.29 |
Shafali has also made significant contributions to DC's victories:
| Team | Wins | Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|
| DC | 17 | 716 | 51.14 | 178.55 |
Chasing Trends
In chase scenarios, Mandhana has maintained a decent average:
| Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|
| Chases | 13 | 372 | 28.61 | 135.76 |
Shafali's performance in chases is even more impressive:
| Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|
| Chases | 15 | 552 | 46.00 | 167.27 |
Conclusion
As the WPL 2026 gears up for an exciting season, both Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma are primed for a spectacular showdown. Their stats indicate fierce competition and thrilling moments ahead. Will Mandhana’s captaincy or Shafali's explosive prowess lead the way?