Four Indian cricketers — Pooja Vastrakar, Kiran Navgire, Yastika Bhatia and Shikha Pandey — will take part in the 2026 edition of the Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) after being included in the overseas rosters announced by the participating teams.
The upcoming season will feature a strong international lineup, with players from India, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan and Ireland joining the competition. The tournament will begin on September 5, with the final scheduled for September 17. All matches will be played at Kensington Oval in Barbados.
The presence of four Indian players adds further interest to the tournament, particularly as they look to gain valuable franchise cricket experience outside India.
Pooja Vastrakar and Kiran Navgire Join Barbados Tridents
Defending champions Barbados Tridents have signed two Indian players for the 2026 season — allrounder Pooja Vastrakar and batter Kiran Navgire.
Vastrakar, who featured in a couple of matches for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in WPL 2026, will join a Tridents squad that also includes New Zealand stars Suzie Bates and Maddy Green.
Navgire will add further power to the team’s batting options. The defending champions will hope the Indian duo can help them maintain their dominance and defend the title.
The Tridents’ overseas contingent combines experience with all-round ability, giving the franchise several options across different match situations.
Shikha Pandey and Yastika Bhatia Join Trinbago Knight Riders
Trinbago Knight Riders have also secured the services of two Indian players.
Experienced seamer Shikha Pandey will return to the Women’s CPL after previously representing Trinbago Knight Riders in the competition. Her familiarity with the franchise and conditions could prove valuable during the tournament.
Wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia, meanwhile, is set to make her Women’s CPL debut.
The Knight Riders have also strengthened their overseas group with South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp and Australia’s Laura Harris and Madeline Penna.
With Pandey bringing experience with the ball and Bhatia offering wicketkeeping and batting options, TKR have assembled a well-rounded overseas group.
Meg Lanning Set for WCPL Debut
New franchise Jamaica Express have made one of the biggest overseas signings by bringing in former Australia captain Meg Lanning.
Despite her enormous international experience, Lanning will play in the Women’s CPL for the first time.
She will be joined by Ireland’s Amy Hunter, South Africa’s Nonku Mlaba, Pakistan’s Syeda Aroob Shah and New Zealand’s Rosemary Mair.
Lanning’s presence is expected to bring considerable experience to the new franchise. Her leadership background and record in international and franchise cricket make her one of the most prominent names in the tournament.
For Jamaica Express, her involvement could also help establish the new franchise’s identity in its first WCPL campaign.
Guyana Amazon Warriors Announce Strong South African Contingent
Guyana Amazon Warriors have opted for a particularly strong South African presence in their overseas roster.
The franchise has signed Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Chloe Tryon and Shabnim Ismail, alongside Australia’s Erin Burns.
Among the South African group, Brits is the only player who has not previously featured in the tournament.
Erin Burns also brings an interesting storyline to the competition. The Australian last played an international match seven years ago but will now return to the franchise cricket spotlight with the Amazon Warriors.
The combination of experienced international players gives Guyana a competitive-looking overseas roster ahead of the new season.
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Four Indian Players Add International Experience
The selection of Vastrakar, Navgire, Pandey and Bhatia underlines the growing presence of Indian players in global women’s franchise cricket.
Indian women’s cricketers have traditionally had limited opportunities to participate in overseas leagues, but franchise tournaments continue to provide important opportunities for players to gain experience in different conditions and team environments.
For the four players selected for the 2026 WCPL, the tournament will offer another chance to compete alongside and against some of the world’s leading cricketers.
Vastrakar and Navgire will attempt to help the defending champions Barbados Tridents retain their crown, while Pandey and Bhatia will look to strengthen Trinbago Knight Riders.
WCPL 2026 Overseas Signings
The overseas rosters for the four franchises are:
Barbados Tridents: Pooja Vastrakar, Kiran Navgire, Maddy Green and Suzie Bates.
Trinbago Knight Riders: Shikha Pandey, Yastika Bhatia, Marizanne Kapp, Laura Harris and Madeline Penna.
Jamaica Express: Meg Lanning, Amy Hunter, Nonku Mlaba, Syeda Aroob Shah and Rosemary Mair.
Guyana Amazon Warriors: Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Chloe Tryon, Shabnim Ismail and Erin Burns.
The line-ups feature a strong mix of experienced international stars and players seeking to make their mark in Caribbean franchise cricket.
All Eyes on Barbados
The 2026 Women’s CPL will be played entirely at Kensington Oval, making Barbados the centre of women’s franchise cricket in the Caribbean during the tournament window.
The competition will begin on September 5 and conclude with the final on September 17.
With the defending champions strengthening their squad, a new Jamaica Express franchise entering the tournament and several established international stars joining the competition, the upcoming season promises plenty of intrigue.
For Indian fans, however, the participation of four players will be one of the major talking points.
Pooja Vastrakar, Kiran Navgire, Shikha Pandey and Yastika Bhatia will each have an opportunity to showcase their skills on the international franchise stage. Their performances could also provide valuable experience as they continue to compete at the highest level of women’s cricket.
With the squads now confirmed, the countdown to the 2026 Women’s CPL has begun.