The inaugural Women’s Indian Premier League (WIPL) season is set to start on March 3, 2023, and five teams have already expressed interest in participating. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) are among the teams that have applied to purchase the Invitation to Tender (ITT) documents necessary to bid for a WIPL team. Kolkata Knight Riders, Punjab Kings, and Delhi Capitals are the other three teams that have shown interest in participating in the WIPL.
The growing popularity of women’s cricket in India is believed to be the main reason for the strong interest in the WIPL. The second T20I match between India and Australia Women at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Mumbai last month attracted a record 47,000 attendees. The International Cricket Council (ICC) is also hosting the Women’s U-19 World Cup, which begins on January 14 in South Africa, as well as the Women’s T20 World Cup in February 2023. Both tournaments are expected to increase the fanbase for women’s cricket in India ahead of the start of the WIPL.
The BCCI has not yet set a base price for buying a team in the WIPL, but this is unlikely to discourage potential bidders. CSK CEO Kashi Viswanathan stated that they are interested in participating in the WIPL to promote women’s cricket and that the economics of the league will be carefully considered. RR chairman Ranjit Barthakur also confirmed their interest in purchasing ITT documents to bid for a WIPL team.
The success of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) in Australia is likely to be a model for the WIPL. The WBBL has helped to increase the visibility and professionalism of women’s cricket in Australia, and it is hoped that the WIPL will have a similar impact in India. The WBBL has also provided opportunities for international players to showcase their skills and compete against top-level competition. It is expected that the WIPL will attract top international players as well as the best local talent.
Overall, the interest shown by five IPL teams in the WIPL is a positive sign for the growth and development of women’s cricket in India. The league is expected to provide a platform for female cricketers to showcase their skills and bring more attention to the sport. It will be interesting to see which teams are ultimately successful in purchasing ITT documents and participating in the WIPL.
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