The draft is done, and the excitement is building.
With two new franchises joining the mix, the Madhya Pradesh Women’s League 2026 teams look ready to deliver sharper competition and fresh storylines.
If you want to know exactly who’s playing for whom this season, you’re in the right place.
Madhya Pradesh Women’s League 2026 Teams
Here’s every squad, every icon player, and the context that matters for fans following women’s cricket in central India.
The Madhya Pradesh Women’s League Story So Far
Run by the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association, the MPWL gives local women a genuine T20 franchise stage.
The league aims to bridge the gap between district-level cricket and higher domestic or national opportunities.
After a modest three-team start in 2025, the tournament has grown to five sides, creating more matches and wider representation across the state.
Quick Facts:
- Edition: Second (2026)
- Format: Franchise T20
- Teams: 5
- Draft Date: April 30, 2026
- Draft Location: Gwalior
- 2025 Champions: Chambal Ghariyals
New additions: Gwalior Shernis and Royal Nimar Eagles.
What Happened in the 2025 Season?
The first edition was brief but instructive. Chambal Ghariyals won both their matches to claim the title unbeaten.
Bundelkhand Bulls split their games and finished second, while Bhopal Wolves went winless.
That tough debut has given the Wolves extra motivation, and the two new teams add unknown variables that could shake up the standings.
Fresh Franchises and Regional Pride
Gwalior Shernis brings the advantage of playing in the host city of the draft, drawing on local support and talent from a historically significant cricket region.
Royal Nimar Eagles represent the Nimar area, tapping into the strong domestic culture linked to Indore.
Their arrival means more girls from different parts of Madhya Pradesh now have a visible team to rally behind.
Icon Players Anchoring the Sides
Each franchise picked experienced names to lead their group:
- Gwalior Shernis: Nuzhat Parween, Kranti Gaud, Soumya Tiwari
- Bundelkhand Bulls: Shuchi Upadhyay
- Bhopal Wolves: Aayushi Shukla
- Chambal Ghariyals: Pooja Vastrakar, Rahila Firdous
- Royal Nimar Eagles: Nikita Singh, Vaishnavi Sharma
These players will be expected to steady the younger members during high-pressure moments.
Madhya Pradesh Women’s League 2026 Teams and Squads
Here’s a detailed look at every roster after the April 30 draft.
Gwalior Shernis (13 players)
The new Gwalior side enters with three icon players and a balanced mix of experience and youth. Local fans will be watching closely to see how quickly the Shernis settle into the league.
Full 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
They appear to have good depth in both departments and the benefit of home-city energy.
Bundelkhand Bulls (15 players)
Returning as runners-up, the Bulls have the largest squad and plenty of motivation to go one better. Shuchi Upadhyay provides continuity and leadership after a solid 2025 campaign.
Full 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
The extra numbers give them flexibility when selecting combinations.
Bhopal Wolves (15 players)
After finishing without a win last season, Bhopal Wolves have rebuilt around Aayushi Shukla. The new-look squad emphasises batting strength and spin resources suited to local pitches.
Full 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
Expect them to play with urgency after a difficult first year.
Chambal Ghariyals (15 players)
The defending champions return as the side to beat. With India international Pooja Vastrakar and Rahila Firdous as icons, they possess both proven match-winners and a deep squad.
Full 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
Pooja Vastrakar spotlight: Her ability to score quickly with the bat and take wickets with the ball at the domestic level gives Chambal a clear edge in important games. Young teammates will learn plenty simply by sharing the dressing room with her.
Royal Nimar Eagles (13 players)
The second new franchise brings a compact balance built around Nikita Singh and Vaishnavi Sharma. They carry the fresh energy that debut teams often use to their advantage.
Full 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
Their success may depend on how quickly the two icons settle into leadership roles.
Squad Summary
| Team | Size | Icon Players | Position in 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gwalior Shernis | 13 | Nuzhat Parween, Kranti Gaud, Soumya Tiwari | New |
| Bundelkhand Bulls | 15 | Shuchi Upadhyay | Runners-up |
| Bhopal Wolves | 15 | Aayushi Shukla | Last |
| Chambal Ghariyals | 15 | Pooja Vastrakar, Rahila Firdous | Champions |
| Royal Nimar Eagles | 13 | Nikita Singh, Vaishnavi Sharma | New |
Players Likely to Catch the Eye
Pooja Vastrakar’s national experience makes her the biggest draw.
Nuzhat Parween’s keeping and batting bring reliability to Gwalior.
Shuchi Upadhyay will be central to Bundelkhand’s hopes, while Aayushi Shukla carries the weight of Bhopal’s redemption story.
Nikita Singh and Vaishnavi Sharma have the chance to define the Royal Nimar Eagles from day one.
Why State Leagues Like MPWL Matter?
These tournaments create structured pathways, expose selectors to hidden talent from smaller regions, and help young players learn how to perform under franchise pressure.
They also inspire the next generation by showing that girls from Bundelkhand, Nimar, or Chambal can share the field with established Indian stars.
FAQs
- How many teams are in the Madhya Pradesh Women’s League 2026?
Five teams after the addition of Gwalior Shernis and Royal Nimar Eagles.
- Who are the defending champions?
Chambal Ghariyals, who went unbeaten in the 2025 season.
- When and where did the 2026 player draft happen?
April 30, 2026, in Gwalior.
- Which team has Pooja Vastrakar?
Chambal Ghariyals, where she serves as one of their two icon players.
- How many players are in each squad?
Bundelkhand Bulls, Bhopal Wolves, and Chambal Ghariyals have 15 players each. The two new teams have 13 players apiece.
- Who are the icon players for the new Gwalior Shernis side?
Nuzhat Parween, Kranti Gaud, and Soumya Tiwari.
Conclusion:
The Madhya Pradesh Women’s League 2026 teams offer a stronger, more balanced field than last year.
Defending champions Chambal Ghariyals start as favourites, but the two new franchises and a motivated Bhopal Wolves side make the outcome far from certain.
The season should highlight several young Madhya Pradesh players ready for the next step.
Keep following—the heartland is producing serious talent.
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