The upcoming inaugural season of the Women’s Indian Premier League (WIPL) has garnered interest from five Indian Premier League (IPL) teams. Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Rajasthan Royals (RR), Kolkata Knight Riders, Punjab Kings, and Delhi Capitals have all applied to obtain Invitation to Tender (ITT) documents, which are necessary in order to bid for a WIPL team.
The BCCI has not yet announced a base price for purchasing a team in the league. The growing popularity of women’s cricket in India is believed to be the main factor behind the teams’ interest in the WIPL. The success of the second T20I match between India and Australia Women, which attracted a record 47,000 attendees, and the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s U-19 and T20 World Cups are expected to further boost the fanbase for women’s cricket in India.
The Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) in Australia, which has increased the visibility and professionalism of women’s cricket in that country, is seen as a potential role model for the WIPL. CSK CEO Kashi Viswanathan has stated that the team is interested in participating in the WIPL in order to promote women’s cricket and that the economics of the league will be carefully considered. RR chairman Ranjit Barthakur has also confirmed the team’s interest in purchasing ITT documents to bid for a WIPL team.
The involvement of these five Indian Premier League teams in the upcoming Women’s Indian Premier League season is a promising 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 abilities and bring greater attention to the sport. It will be interesting to see which teams are ultimately successful in acquiring Invitation to Tender documents and participating in the league.
