WPL 2025 goes from metros to heartlands: Season preview

The Women’s Premier League (WPL) may still be in its early days, but within just two years of its inception in 2023, it has managed to carve a significant niche for itself. This success has encouraged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to expand the tournament beyond the traditional metropolises. This season’s biggest highlight is undoubtedly its geographical expansion. Initially confined to Mumbai and later to Bengaluru and New Delhi in its second edition, the WPL has now added Vadodara and Lucknow to its roster. This marks a step towards adopting a full-fledged home-and-away format.

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The expansion is a substantial boost for the tournament, allowing the five teams and stakeholders to broaden their reach and tap into unexplored territories. While cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru have long had an established fan base for women’s cricket, the impressive turnout at Vadodara’s newly built Kotambi Stadium during India women’s ODIs against West Indies last December convinced the BCCI to choose it as a venue. Lucknow, the home base for the UP Warriorz, has also previously hosted women’s international matches.

Arun Dhumal, chairman of the IPL Governing Council, explained that the decision to expand was aimed at strengthening fan engagement in the franchises’ respective home markets.

“Of the five franchises, three — Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru — had already hosted matches at home in previous editions. So, we wanted to create opportunities for the other two franchises — UP Warriorz and Gujarat Giants — to engage with their home audiences. That’s why Vadodara and Lucknow were selected,” Dhumal told  Sportstar.

“Given the enormous fan engagement in Mumbai and Bengaluru, we decided to retain those venues as well. The tournament is still in its early stages, and the support it has garnered in these traditional cricket hubs is a tremendous boost for both the league and women’s cricket,” he added.

Curtain-raiser: The new Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara will host the WPL opener this year. 
| Photo Credit:
VIJAY SONEJI

Curtain-raiser: The new Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara will host the WPL opener this year. 
| Photo Credit:
VIJAY SONEJI

While Dhumal is confident about attracting strong turnouts at the two new venues, a post-tournament review will assess audience engagement. Based on this analysis, the feasibility of adopting a proper home-and-away format from next season will be considered.

“Logistics, available windows, and the best possible framework, all play a role in determining the next steps. While the aim is to expand the tournament nationwide and build a sustainable fan base, these factors need to be balanced,” Dhumal said.

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In the league’s first two editions, UP Warriorz (owned by Capri Global) and Gujarat Giants (owned by Adani Sportsline) didn’t benefit from home-ground support. However, both franchises are eager to build dedicated local fan bases this time.

“The response to the WPL over the last two seasons has been phenomenal, and the league’s expansion to new regions is truly heartening,” said Sanjay Adesara, Chief Business Officer of Adani Sportsline.

The turnout at Kotambi Stadium during December’s ODIs was an encouraging sign, with nearly 10,000 spectators attending each match. The Gujarat Giants is keen to capitalise on this momentum.

“With the Indian women’s team having played international matches at the Kotambi Stadium, this is another significant step forward for women’s cricket in India. We are thrilled by this opportunity,” Adesara said.

UP Warriorz owner Jinisha Sharma echoed this sentiment, calling the expansion a vital step for the league and her franchise. “As a newer name in the sporting industry, it’s crucial for us to grow the WPL and our franchise by taking this experience to multiple cities,” she said.

“Mumbai and Bengaluru have been privileged with packed crowds over the years, and rightly so. As a franchise preparing to play at our home ground for the first time, we’re incredibly excited,” Sharma added.

To prepare for its home debut, UP Warriorz conducted groundwork in Lucknow and other cities in Uttar Pradesh last year. “We learned a lot from interacting with students, faculty, media, and others to understand what would resonate with local fans,” Sharma explained.

Dharamshala, 18/05/2023. IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal during a Interview with the Sportstar in Dharamshala on Thursday, May 18, 2023. Photo: R. V. Moorthy / The Hindu
| Photo Credit:
R. V. MOORTHY

Dharamshala, 18/05/2023. IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal during a Interview with the Sportstar in Dharamshala on Thursday, May 18, 2023. Photo: R. V. Moorthy / The Hindu
| Photo Credit:
R. V. MOORTHY

“This month, we’re organising a 12-city tournament in UP, visiting multiple schools and hosting cricket camps. We’ll identify talented girls from these camps, bring them to our pre-season training, and help them gain exposure,” she added.

While these grassroots initiatives are crucial for a budding league, adapting to the new four-city caravan model presents its own challenges. Many teams had selected players at the auction assuming matches would remain confined to Mumbai and Bengaluru.

“The auctions were completed in December before the league’s expansion to four cities was finalised. So, getting the right combination will be critical,” said a franchise insider.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the defending champion, will once again play at home. Smriti Mandhana and her team face the challenge of meeting high expectations after retaining their core squad and making strategic additions during the mini-auction.

The team acquired leg-spinner Prema Rawat, Kerala pacer Joshitha VJ, and seasoned campaigner Renuka Singh Thakur to bolster its pace attack. The inclusion of Jagravi Pawar and Raghvi Bist adds further depth.

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Meanwhile, Gujarat Giants will rely on its marquee overseas player Deandra Dottin, the most expensive international signing, and the inspiring Simran Shaikh, a batter from Dharavi, Asia’s largest slum. Dottin’s experience and all-round abilities will be crucial for Gujarat Giants, which is looking to turn its fortunes around after two underwhelming seasons.

Delhi Capitals will hope for standout performances from Nandini Kashyap and the promising Niki Prasad, while UP Warriorz and Mumbai Indians aim to deliver quality cricket at their respective home grounds.

With the tournament moving beyond major cities and the fan base steadily growing, the WPL’s expansion signals a new chapter for women’s cricket in India.

Players to watch out for

Royal Challengers Bangalore – Smriti Mandhana, Joshitha VJ

MumbaI Indians – Harmanpreet Kaur, G. Kamalini

Gujarat Giants – Deandra Dottin, Simran Shaikh

Delhi Capitals – Meg Lanning, Nandini Kashyap

UP Warriorz – Chamari Athapaththu, Saima Thakor

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