Eventually, all leagues have their rivalries, and in the case of the Women’s Premier League, it will be based around differing philosophies expressed through two players. Those players are the two most likely to define how T20 is played as the season begins (January 9) with the Mumbai Indians taking on the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Mandhana, who is known for being a left-handed batswoman and one of the most beautiful players in the world, holds a WPL title as a team captain after she led the RCB to a WPL title win in 2024; Harmanpreet, on the other hand, has turned MI into a dynasty by winning titles in 2023 & 2025. While Mandhana and Harmanpreet have been established captains, in the end, it’s numbers that get past the narrative (comfort zone) and ultimately define performance.
Style Versus Impact at the Crease
Mandhana’s statistics in the Women’s Premier League, 646 runs for an average of 24.84 and a strike rate of 128.68, indicate a player who can create rather than blow up; she is most effective against Delhi Capitals, at an average of 34.57. Therefore, she will be most productive when given some momentum to start the game.
Harmanpreet’s numbers are in a league of their own. She has 851 runs at an average of 40.52 and a strike rate of 143.50. Harmanpreet is more than simply running up a large number of runs for her team; she is taking control of matches. While there is no question that Harmanpreet’s run-making ability against the Gujarat Giants was stylistically impressive, her ability to score so rapidly (strike rate 179.08) suggests that she is playing with both intent and purpose.
Boundary Frequency Defines Match Control
Mandhana’s four fifty-plus scores in the WPL show how wide the gap is when you look at large scores. She made an impressive 81 from 47 balls for DC in Vadodara in 2025. The batting she has been able to display is fluid and has good timing, the type of batting coaches want to see on their PowerPoint presentations.
However, Harmanpreet has eight fifty-plus scores – double the amount of Mandhana. The unbeaten 95 off 48 balls for Gujarat Giants in 2024 was as much about destruction as it was about a large score, as well as having fifteen boundaries in one innings. In addition, she has shown a great deal of comfort in chaotic situations, which is indicative of top-level T20 batting. She scored 66 in the 2025 final in the same manner.
Winning Matches, Not Just Applause
Mandhana fans will likely find it difficult to reconcile these numbers, too. She hits much better than the league-average in wins (33.45) with a higher-than league-average strike rate (135.29). Conversely, the number drops significantly in RCB losses (average = 19.42). While Mandhana is certainly impactful as a hitter, there is some evidence that this is contingent upon how the game is going for RCB.
Harmanpreet, on the other hand, has historically hit much better when the team was winning, which is evident in her 52.30 batting average and strike rates above 150 in the 19 games in which Mumbai won. This isn’t just a coincidence or correlation; in those same 19 games, Harmanpreet scored eight of her nine fifties. That’s to say, when the team wins, Harmanpreet is generally the main reason why.
Pressure Chases Reveal Temperament
Chasing often separates leaders from passengers. Mandhana improves while chasing, averaging 28.61 compared to 21.07 when batting first, but the strike rate gap suggests cautious acceleration.
Harmanpreet shows no such split personality. Whether chasing or setting totals, she averages above 35 and strikes comfortably above 134. Her four chase fifties underline a key trait: she reads match tempo instinctively, a skill forged over years of international pressure.
Key Takeaway
In the WPL, Mandhana sets the tone, but Harmanpreet sets the outcome.
FAQs
- What makes Harmanpreet Kaur statistically superior in WPL?
Her higher average, strike rate, and match-winning output in victories separate her from her peers.
- Why is Smriti Mandhana still vital despite lower numbers?
She provides top-order stability and performs better when RCB’s batting unit functions cohesively.
- How could WPL 2026 change this rivalry?
Venue conditions and supporting casts may tilt the influence, but pressure moments will still favor the more assertive finisher.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.
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