Mumbai, Jan 1 (NationPress) The defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) have strengthened their 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) preparations with the addition of former South African fast bowler Shabnim Ismail alongside Australian players Milly Illingworth and Nicola Carey at their training camp, as announced by the franchise on Thursday.

MI commenced their training camp over the weekend to defend their title in the fourth season of the WPL. Having won two out of the three WPL seasons to date, MI will launch their campaign on January 9 against the 2024 champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the DY Patil Stadium.

Shabnim, who has previously played for MI, was re-signed by the franchise during the mega auction in New Delhi in November 2025. For Milly and Nicola, this marks their debut in the WPL.

"We have begun our journey in 2026. The enthusiasm from the newcomers is palpable, and we are thrilled about this season, especially with talented players like Shabnim Ismail. She brings a unique energy to our group, and her performance as a genuine quick bowler and competitor elevates the team's spirit," said Jhulan Goswami, MI’s bowling coach and mentor.

As the squad assembles, with key players like captain Harmanpreet Kaur, Nat Sciver-Brunt, and Amanjot Kaur expected soon, MI are diligently working on their pre-training program, concentrating on fostering team cohesion, refining skills, and perfecting strategies ahead of the upcoming season.

The 28-day tournament will unfold across two venues in Navi Mumbai and the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. Notably, this is the first occasion the WPL will occur within the January-February timeframe, following three seasons held in February-March prior to the Indian Premier League (IPL).