WPL 2026 so far: Sixes surge, batting recoveries, retired outs and more
A look at the standout features and trends in the WPL 2026 so far.
Toss trends continue, but what do the results say?
In the 33 matches across the 2025 and ongoing 2026 editions, captains have consistently preferred chasing. Six of the 11 matches in WPL 2026 have been won by the chasing side. Results at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai provide a clear indication of a par score.
WPL games at DY Patil, Navi Mumbai
- Target > 180: Instances 9 | Won 1 | Lost 8
- Target < 180: Instances 13 | Won 13 | Lost 0
Overall, 21 of the 33 WPL games since 2025 have been won by the side batting second.
Match results by venues across WPL 2025 and 2026
| Venue | Won by side batting first | Won by chasing side |
|---|---|---|
| BCA, Vadodara | 0 | 6 |
| Bengaluru | 1 | 7 |
| Lucknow | 2 | 2 |
| Brabourne | 4 | 0 |
| DYP, Navi Mumbai | 5 | 6 |
| Overall | 12 | 21 |
Scores and six-hitting on the rise
The average first-innings score has risen to 177 in WPL 2026, up from 153-164 in previous editions. There has been a significant surge in six-hitting frequency.
Batting stats in the WPL (by seasons)
| Year | Mat | Ave | SR | 50s | 4s | 6s | Balls/six | Bnd%* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 22 | 24.23 | 128.37 | 31 | 801 | 159 | 30.63 | 19.71 |
| 2024 | 22 | 23.48 | 124.42 | 32 | 752 | 168 | 30 | 18.25 |
| 2025 | 22 | 23.36 | 132.68 | 38 | 815 | 193 | 26.2 | 19.94 |
| 2026 | 11 | 27.9 | 141.27 | 21 | 438 | 121 | 21.2 | 21.76 |
| *Bnd% = percentage of balls hit for a boundary (4 or 6) |
Overseas batters rule the roost
15 of the 21 fifty-plus scores in WPL 2026 have been made by overseas batters. They are striking at 150.48, a significant jump from previous seasons.
Batting comparison: India vs Overseas in WPL 2026
| Nationality | Inns | Runs | Ave | SR | 50s | 4s | 6s | Balls/six |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 98 | 1601 | 22.23 | 131.12 | 6 | 193 | 48 | 25.4 |
| Overseas | 70 | 2027 | 34.94 | 150.48 | 15 | 245 | 73 | 18.5 |
Bowling: Seam dominance
Seamers have been the clear winners in the bowling department in WPL 2026, outperforming spinners on all parameters. This is a complete contrast to the first three editions, where spinners were more dominant.
Pace vs Spin in WPL 2026
| Bowl Type | Wkts | Ave | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pace | 77 | 24.92 | 8.28 |
| Spin | 49 | 37.14 | 9.37 |
The two teams most reliant on spin (UP Warriorz and Delhi Capitals) are currently at the bottom of the points table.
Team-wise overs split for pace and spin in WPL 2026
| Team | Pace% | Spin% |
|---|---|---|
| MI-W | 62.7 | 37.3 |
| RCB-W | 58.3 | 41.7 |
| GG-W | 55.8 | 44.3 |
| DC-W | 54 | 46 |
| UPW-W | 41.2 | 58.9 |
Batting recoveries and lower-order impact
WPL 2026 has featured notable batting recoveries from precarious situations. Run-scoring has improved despite seamers being more effective in the powerplay, with middle and lower-order batters faring much better.
Batting stats from No.4 or lower in the WPL
| Year | Ave | SR | 50s | Bnd% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 20.78 | 123.01 | 12 | 17.63 |
| 2024 | 20.54 | 124.01 | 8 | 16.61 |
| 2025 | 18.44 | 131.74 | 10 | 17.96 |
| 2026 | 25.13 | 140.89 | 7 | 19.95 |
The retired-out tactic
There have been two retired-out instances in WPL 2026:
- Gujarat Giants called back Ayushi Soni (11 off 14) against MI-W. Bharti Fulmali, who replaced her, smashed 36* off 15, though GG lost.
- UP Warriorz called back a set Harleen Deol (47 off 36) against DC-W for Chloe Tryon. The move backfired as UPW lost off the final ball.
Only two of the eight retired-out instances in all T20 cricket in 2026 (men's and women's combined) have resulted in wins.
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