Cricket was another beloved sport that was played by men alone in India till long. Women Premier League (WPL) is changing that by offering a hefty bundle of challenges and sports to follow. WPL has emerged as a platform to promote and inspire women in cricket and has already become one of the most discussed leagues in the world. WPL is a groundbreaking solution to women sports in India and one of the most captivating tournaments in India, with teams featuring celebrities and a high number of fans.
In this blog, we will know about the history of Women Premier League, teams, format, and the significance of women premier league and why it matters to the cricket in India.
The Origin of the Women Premier League
The Women s Premier League (WPL) was introduced in 2023 by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after formal requests and widespread discussion among fans and professional players. The success of the Women T20 Challenge, a scaled-down version which had been running since 2018 and was set to run in 2023, positioned the establishment of this fully professional league.
The WPL was based on the Indian Premier League (IPL) with a focus on franchise driven teams, competitive bidding and quality matches. The idea is not only to offer a sort of financial protection to female cricketers, but also to extend the same exposure and resources offered to the male cricketers over the years to the women cricketers as well.
Teams in the Women’s Premier League
The first season of the WPL consists of five teams that each represent the major cities in the country and are owned by the successful owners of IPL outfits.
- The Mumbai Indians Women
- Delhi Capitals Women
- UP Warriors
- Gujarat Giants
- Royal Challengers Bangalore Women
The WPL has even gone to the extent of reducing the ratio between the players like Alyssa Healy, Sophie Ecclestone, or Meg Lanning, and Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, or Shafali Verma.
The format ensures maximum competitive and action-packed games with an adequate number of matches to give wide exposure to both the players and entertainment to the fans.
- It is played with 20 overs on each side (T20 cricket).
- The top 3 teams will be eliminated to the finals.
- The last game of the season determines the season finale.
This simple yet enjoyable show was already a hit in ensuring that it made new fans desire to watch women in the game of cricket.
Why the WPL is Important
The Women Premier League is an initiative in the regard of gender equality in sports as well as not just a cricket league. The WPL with this professional platform:
- The empowerment of women cricketers monetarily.
- International exposure through participation
- To motivate young girls across India to be cricketers.
- The national teams are getting stronger and the players are gaining competition experience.
- The WPL can redefine women cricket in the same way as the IPL has done in the case of men cricket in the world.
Sports Infrastructure
To prosper, leagues like the WPL need world-class sports infrastructure. Main pitches, training centres and stadiums provide better environment for athletes to better perform and fans to enjoy more. At Gallant Sports, we specialize in building international cricket grounds, turfs & training facilities that help high performers, teams or athletes.
Must Read: Sports Infrastructure and Performance
Conclusion
The Women premier league is a great step ahead of cricket in India to the game and women sports. A competitive spirit, a rising fanbase and the idea of future to come, it is already organizing a new era of inclusivity and prosperity.
The WPL is not just about cricket but ensuring women have a different script when it comes to sports in India.
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