Budding hegemonies are always fun to watch, but the only thing better is a capable spoilsport. While two-time Women’s Premier League champion Mumbai Indians is hoping to grab its third title in four years, the fight is far from straightforward.

MI, in its retentions and auction acquisitions, brought together nearly its entire title-winning squad, choosing proven brilliance over experimentation. The big change is in the coaching set-up, with Lisa Keightley and Kristen Beams bolstering the outfit.

All-rounders Nat Sciver-Brunt and Hayley Matthews, alongside Amelia Kerr and Shabnim Ismail, are still MI’s sharpest arrows.

One would hope some of the domestic bowlers and big-hitting youngsters like G. Kamalini hog the headlines instead.

The toughest challenger looks to be UP Warriorz. Led by Australian behemoth Meg Lanning, it has an arsenal of big hitters and a versatile bowling attack. In Lanning, Phoebe Litchfield, Kiran Navgire, and Deandra Dottin, there’s a healthy mix of firepower and stability. But its real strength in a batter’s tournament is its enviable bowling reserves in spin and seam.

Delhi Capitals, too, has a steady core in proven match-winners like Jemimah Rodrigues, Marizanne Kapp, Laura Wolvaardt and Shafali Verma. Acquisitions like Chinelle Henry and Lizelle Lee are the perfect garnish to this six-hitting dish. That said, losing Shikha Pandey, Jess Jonassen and Annabel Sutherland will make life hard for the three-time runner-up.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru finds itself in the same boat. Losing Ellyse Perry is a dent in all three departments. The biggest concern for the 2024 champion is the fitness of key bowlers Pooja Vastrakar and Shreyanka Patil, who understandably will also want to balance caution with opportunity in a T20 World Cup year.

Gujarat Giants sports a relatively inexperienced side, packed with power hitters and smart wicket-takers.

Skipper Ashleigh Gardner and Beth Mooney are the pillars of the team. Sophie Devine’s all-round brilliance is a great addition, as is Renuka Singh’s efficacy in the PowerPlay. But cohesion is key. Individuals have always shown up for the Giants, but a successful campaign requires the team to fire.

An overarching theme for all teams is a persisting dependence on overseas stock, which is antithetical to the purpose of the league.

However, domestic additions across the board – like Giants’ Anushka Sharma, DC’s Deeya Yadav, RCB’s Gautami Naik, and MI’s Triveni Vasistha, for example – will want to use their chances to make a statement.