The Women’s Premier League has created an impressive history in just four seasons. Since its launch in 2023, the competition has provided a major professional platform for women’s cricket in India while producing memorable finals, outstanding individual performances and changing championship fortunes.
The first four seasons have produced two different champions. Mumbai Indians won the inaugural tournament in 2023 and returned to the top in 2025. Royal Challengers Bengaluru claimed their first championship in 2024 before winning again in 2026. Delhi Capitals, meanwhile, reached the final in every season from 2023 through 2026 but finished as runners-up each time.
This early history has already given the WPL several defining storylines. Mumbai Indians established themselves as the first champions, RCB developed into a two-time winner, and Delhi Capitals became the league’s most consistent finalist.
WPL Winners at a Glance
The first four WPL seasons produced the following champions:
| Season | Winner | Runner-Up | Winning Captain | Final Result |
| 2023 | Mumbai Indians | Delhi Capitals | Harmanpreet Kaur | Won by 7 wickets |
| 2024 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Delhi Capitals | Smriti Mandhana | Won by 8 wickets |
| 2025 | Mumbai Indians | Delhi Capitals | Harmanpreet Kaur | Won by 8 runs |
| 2026 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Delhi Capitals | Smriti Mandhana | Won by 6 wickets |
Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have therefore won two titles each after four seasons, while Delhi Capitals have finished runners-up in every final.
WPL 2023: Mumbai Indians Make History
The first WPL season began in March 2023, introducing fans to five franchises and a new era of women’s franchise cricket.
Mumbai Indians entered the competition with a strong squad featuring experienced Indian players and international stars. Delhi Capitals also performed consistently throughout the league stage and finished at the top of the table.
Delhi therefore qualified directly for the final, while Mumbai had to defeat UP Warriorz in the Eliminator to earn their place in the championship match.
The first WPL final was played at Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. Delhi Capitals scored 131 for nine from their 20 overs.
Mumbai Indians successfully chased the target, reaching 134 for three in 19.3 overs. The seven-wicket victory made Mumbai the first-ever WPL champions.
The achievement gave Mumbai a permanent place in WPL history. Harmanpreet Kaur became the captain of the first team to lift the trophy, while the franchise established an early benchmark for success.
The Significance of Mumbai’s First Championship
Winning the inaugural edition carried significance beyond the trophy itself.
The first season was an experiment in many ways. Teams were building squads for a completely new competition, players were adapting to new teammates and coaching structures, and fans were becoming familiar with women’s franchise cricket.
Mumbai’s victory provided the league with its first champion and created an immediate historical reference point.
The championship also demonstrated the value of combining experienced Indian players with international talent. Mumbai’s squad included several players capable of contributing in different areas, helping the team navigate the pressure of a new tournament.
WPL 2024: RCB Claim Their First Trophy
The second WPL season brought a different champion.
Delhi Capitals again finished at the top of the league table, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured third place and entered the playoff stage.
RCB defeated Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator, earning a place in the final against Delhi Capitals.
The championship match took place at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
Delhi had the opportunity to win their first WPL title after reaching the final for a second consecutive year. However, RCB produced a successful performance and defeated Delhi by eight wickets.
The result made Royal Challengers Bengaluru the second WPL champions.
Smriti Mandhana’s RCB Era Begins
The 2024 championship was especially important for RCB because it represented the franchise’s first WPL title.
Smriti Mandhana led the team and became one of the central figures in the league’s early history.
The victory also demonstrated that the inaugural champion was not automatically destined to dominate the competition.
Mumbai had won in 2023, but RCB successfully rebuilt and adapted to become champions one year later.
This competitive balance helped establish the WPL as a tournament in which different franchises could rise to the top.
Delhi Capitals’ Second Final
Delhi’s 2024 defeat created one of the first recurring storylines in WPL history.
The franchise had reached the inaugural final and returned to the championship match in the second season.
Despite their strong league performances, Delhi had still not converted their consistency into a trophy.
At this stage, however, their repeated final appearances showed that they had established themselves as one of the strongest teams in the competition.
WPL 2025: Mumbai Indians Return to the Top
Mumbai Indians returned to the final in 2025 after another strong campaign.
Delhi Capitals again finished among the leading teams, while Gujarat Giants reached the playoffs.
Mumbai defeated Gujarat in the playoff stage to set up another final against Delhi Capitals.
The championship match was played at Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai, giving Mumbai the opportunity to win the trophy at a familiar venue.
The final was considerably closer than the 2023 title match.
Mumbai Indians scored 149 for seven from 20 overs, while Delhi Capitals finished on 141 for nine.
Mumbai won by eight runs and secured their second WPL championship.
Mumbai Become Two-Time Champions
The 2025 victory gave Mumbai Indians an important place in the early WPL record books.
They became the first team to win the competition twice.
Their titles had come in different ways. The inaugural championship was secured through a successful chase, while the 2025 final was decided by defending a relatively modest total under pressure.
That ability to win different types of matches became an important part of Mumbai’s championship story.
Their second title also established a developing rivalry with Delhi Capitals, who had now lost three consecutive finals.
WPL 2026: RCB Return to the Summit
The fourth WPL season provided another change at the top.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru produced a strong league campaign and finished first, earning direct qualification for the final.
Delhi Capitals once again remained in contention and reached the championship match through the playoffs.
Their appearance in the 2026 final meant Delhi had reached the title decider in all four WPL seasons.
For RCB, meanwhile, the final represented an opportunity to win a second championship and join Mumbai Indians as two-time winners.
The 2026 Final Produces a Record Chase
The 2026 final was played at Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara.
Delhi Capitals batted first and produced an imposing 203 for four from their 20 overs.
The target of 204 represented an enormous challenge.
RCB, however, responded with an aggressive chase and reached 204 for four in 19.4 overs.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru therefore defeated Delhi Capitals by six wickets and secured their second WPL championship. The successful chase became the highest successful run chase in WPL history, while Delhi’s 203 was the highest first-innings total in a WPL final at that point.
Smriti Mandhana Leads RCB to a Second Title
Smriti Mandhana played a central role in the 2026 championship.
The RCB captain scored 87 from 41 deliveries in the final, providing the momentum required during the chase. Young batter Georgia Voll also played an important role as RCB completed the record target.
Mandhana’s second WPL championship as captain added another significant chapter to her career and to RCB’s history.
After winning their first title in 2024, the franchise had now returned to the top in 2026.
RCB Join Mumbai as Two-Time Champions
The 2026 result created an interesting balance in the WPL championship record.
Mumbai Indians have won the titles in 2023 and 2025.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have won the titles in 2024 and 2026.
Both franchises therefore have two championships after four completed seasons.
This means the early WPL era has been shared between two successful franchises rather than dominated by one team.
It also provides a foundation for future seasons, as both Mumbai and RCB will attempt to establish themselves further in the competition’s championship history.
Delhi Capitals: Four Finals, Four Runner-Up Finishes
Perhaps the most unusual statistic in the WPL’s early history belongs to Delhi Capitals.
The team has reached the final in every season from 2023 through 2026.
However, Delhi lost all four championship matches.
In 2023, Mumbai Indians defeated Delhi by seven wickets.
In 2024, RCB defeated Delhi by eight wickets.
In 2025, Mumbai defeated Delhi by eight runs.
In 2026, RCB defeated Delhi by six wickets.
This makes Delhi one of the most consistent franchises in the WPL while also leaving the team without a championship after four seasons.
Comparing the Two-Time Champions
Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have reached the top in alternating seasons.
Mumbai won in 2023, RCB won in 2024, Mumbai returned to the top in 2025, and RCB won again in 2026.
The pattern highlights the competitiveness of the early tournament.
Neither team has won consecutive titles so far.
It also means every completed WPL season has featured one of these two franchises as champion.
How the Championship Style Has Changed
The four finals have produced very different match situations.
Mumbai’s 2023 victory came through a controlled chase of 132.
RCB’s 2024 title was also achieved while chasing, with the Bengaluru side defeating Delhi by eight wickets.
Mumbai’s 2025 championship was decided by eight runs, making it a much tighter contest.
The 2026 final went in the opposite direction, becoming a high-scoring chase in which RCB pursued 204 before the end of the final over.
These contrasting finals show how the WPL has developed tactically across its first four seasons.
The Role of Strong Leadership
Leadership has been a recurring feature of the WPL’s championship stories.
Harmanpreet Kaur captained Mumbai Indians to both of their titles, in 2023 and 2025.
Smriti Mandhana captained RCB to their championships in 2024 and 2026.
Both captains have therefore become closely associated with the early championship history of the competition.
Their leadership has also contributed to the visibility of Indian women cricketers within franchise cricket.
What the Winners Have Demonstrated
The first four champions have shown that success in the WPL requires more than individual star power.
Teams need strong batting depth, varied bowling options, athletic fielding, effective tactical planning and the ability to perform under pressure.
The championship matches have also demonstrated the importance of adapting to conditions.
Mumbai won a low-scoring chase in 2023 and defended a competitive total in 2025. RCB successfully chased targets in both of their finals.
Different routes to victory have therefore shaped the league’s championship history.
The Importance of International Talent
International players have also contributed significantly to WPL championship campaigns.
The league brings together players from different cricketing countries, allowing franchises to combine international experience with Indian domestic talent.
These players contribute not only through performances but also through knowledge sharing.
For emerging Indian cricketers, playing alongside experienced international teammates can provide valuable lessons about preparation, tactics and high-pressure situations.
Opportunities for Indian Players
The WPL’s championship stories also reflect the growing professional opportunities available to Indian women cricketers.
Young domestic players can earn places in franchise squads and compete alongside established international stars.
The experience can help them develop technical skills, tactical awareness and confidence.
As the league continues, its champions are likely to include teams built around an increasingly deep pool of Indian talent.
WPL Winners and the Future
The first four champions have established an interesting starting point for the WPL’s future.
Mumbai Indians and RCB have two titles each.
Delhi Capitals have four final appearances without a championship.
Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz have yet to reach a WPL final.
As future seasons unfold, these records will provide the context for new championship races.
The league’s young age also means that the current balance can change quickly.
Why the WPL Winners List Matters
A winners list is more than a collection of names and dates.
It shows how the league has developed, which teams have adapted successfully and how different championship campaigns have unfolded.
The alternating success of Mumbai and RCB demonstrates the competitive nature of the first four seasons.
Delhi’s four consecutive final appearances highlight another side of the story: reaching the final consistently is possible, but converting that opportunity into a championship requires success on the biggest night.
Final Thoughts
The WPL winners from 2023 to 2026 tell the story of a young competition developing at remarkable speed.
Mumbai Indians became the inaugural champions in 2023 and won again in 2025. Royal Challengers Bengaluru captured their first title in 2024 before returning to the summit in 2026. Delhi Capitals appeared in all four finals but finished runners-up each time.
After four seasons, Mumbai Indians and RCB stand level with two championships apiece. Their contrasting title campaigns have produced successful chases, close finishes and memorable performances.
The 2026 final added another major chapter when RCB chased 204 to defeat Delhi by six wickets, giving the franchise its second WPL trophy.
The WPL is still in its early years, so its championship history will undoubtedly continue to change. New players will emerge, franchises will rebuild, and other teams will attempt to break the early dominance of Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
For now, however, the first four seasons have created a fascinating foundation: two two-time champions, one four-time finalist still searching for its first title, and a growing collection of finals that have helped establish the identity of women’s franchise cricket in India.
