Women's IPL
The inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) is all set to be played between 4 and 26 March, confirmed Indian Premier League (IPL) Chairman Arun Dhumal. WPL 2023 will be played entirely in Mumbai with Brabourne Stadium and the DY Patil Stadium hosting the matches. Meanwhile, as already reported, the tournament opener is expected to be played between Gujarat Giants and Mumbai Indians-owned franchise.
“The Women’s Premier League will be played from March 4 to 26 in Mumbai,” IPL chairman Arun Dhumal told PTI on Monday.
Dhumal also confirmed that the auction will take place on February 13 in Mumbai, a day after India’s T20 World Cup match against Pakistan. Around 1500 players have registered for the inaugural edition of the league and the final list is expected to be released later this week.
Each team will have a purse of Rs 12 crore at the players’ auction next month and will need to buy a minimum of 15 players and a maximum of 18. Up to five overseas players, including one from an associate member country, will be allowed in the playing eleven.
Talking about the five teams in the Women’s Premier League, apart from three IPL team owners — Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals — Capri Global Holdings (Lucknow) and the Adani Sportsline have bought the five franchises. While the Adani Sportsline-owned team will be called Gujarat Giants, the Capri Global-owned team will be called Lucknow Warriors.
Coming to the format of the tournament, a total of 22 games will be played in the inaugural season with the top-ranked team in the league stage qualifying directly for the final. The second and third-placed teams will battle out for a place in the title clash.