The countdown to the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 is well and truly on, and the off-field vibes suggest the tournament is set to deliver entertainment even before the first ball is bowled. With the league kicking off on January 9, camaraderie, banter, and playful rivalries are already stealing the spotlight.

In a viral pre-tournament clip, UP Warriorz captain Meg Lanning was seen cheekily sledging Delhi Capitals skipper Jemimah Rodrigues during a promotional show ahead of the new season.

Meg Lanning vs Jemimah Rodrigues: Friendly fire before WPL 2026

All five WPL captains, including Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur, were present at the event, seated around a table and engaging in a relaxed, light-hearted chat with the show’s hosts.

During a truth-or-dare segment, Lanning was dared to sledge Rodrigues, her former teammate from Delhi Capitals. For context, Rodrigues had played under Lanning’s captaincy during her time with DC. However, ahead of the WPL 2026 mega auction, Delhi released Lanning, following which UP Warriorz snapped her up and handed her the captaincy reins.

Lanning had been a key part of Delhi Capitals for three seasons since the tournament’s inception, making the exchange all the more personal and entertaining.

Meg Lanning’s one-liner leaves the room in splits

Accepting the dare, Lanning delivered a playful yet pointed jab at Rodrigues. “So now you know how your fielders feel when they don’t listen to you and keep dancing on the field.”

The quip, a nod to Rodrigues’ animated on-field presence during their DC days, instantly set the room alight. Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana were seen laughing uncontrollably, pounding the table as the captains shared a genuine moment of amusement.

With the tone set ahead of the fourth edition of the league, the focus will soon shift from banter to battle.

Defending champions Mumbai Indians Women will kick off their title defence in a blockbuster opening clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women on January 9 at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai.

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