There are many theories to what led to the foundation of women IPL in India. While few say that it planned in order to boost the scope of women’s cricket in India, other calls it as an act to cash in the growing popularity of women’s cricket across the globe.
Regardless of the reason for its launch, women IPL or WPL are surely a platform for every budding women cricketer across the globe, and not only India.
What led to the launch of Women IPL in India?
Over the past few years, women cricket in India has witnessed some big growth in terms of popularity. The disappointing performances of men’s team at ICC events are a big reason to it. Besides, the growing number of women cricket leagues around the world can also be seen as a supporting aspect.
On the other side, the BCCI committee, specially, former Chief Sourav Ganguly, backed this thought of starting India’s first women IPL league. Moreover, we must mention that Australia have their own WBBL that is been organized for few years now.
So, something like WPL or women IPL was still on cards. That said, the biggest challenge for BCCI came as the availability of enough local players. Women cricket is still in its initial stages in India and we can now see many states organizing their own leagues to push the local women cricket players.
Hence, the planning committee of BCCI decided that as many as 5 overseas players will be allowed for the inaugural WIPL 2023. Moreover, it will be held across 2 famous stadiums( DY Patil and Brabourne ) in Mumbai from March 4 to March 26 2023.
Number of teams participating in Women IPL 2023
Team Name |
Key Players |
| Royal Challengers Bangalore | Smriti Mandhana, Alysse Perry |
| Mumbai Indians | HarmanPreet Kaur, Nat Sciver Brunt |
| Delhi Capitals | Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues |
| Gujarat Giants | Beth Mooney, Deandra Dottin |
| UP Warriorz | Alyssa Healy, Deepti Sharma |
How and where to watch Women IPL 2023?
You can watch WIPL 2023 on Sports 18 and Jio Cinema OTT app. interestingly; all the matches will be streamed for free by Jio TV and Jio Cinema. Hence, you need not to pay any subscription amount while watching omen IPL 2023.
Players to watch out for in WIPL 2023 ?
There will be some big Indian names to watch out for in the Women IPL 2023 which are as follows:
Smriti Mandhana ( RCB Women’s team )
The Indian southpaw is all geared up to showcase her immense talent on the inaugural WPL 2023. While the semifinal defeat in the ICC Women’s T20 against Australia is still running in every Indian cricket fan’s head, WPL 2023 may help them to bring some respite.
That said, Indian players like Mandhana will be in spotlight as the action kickstarts on 4th march 2023 at 7:30pm
Harman Preet kaur ( Mumbai Indians Women’s team)
The Indian women’s team captain is still disheartened with that unfortunate run out against Australia in ICC Women’s T20 final. Still, she would be looking to cover up for that loss with a perfect start in a match against Gujarat Giants women on 4th march.
Kaur may not be available for the first match, according to some sources, given her recent injury. Still, we can say that she is all set to prove her mettle once again in the Women IPL 2023.
Apart from Mandhana and Harman preet kaur, there will be few other key Indian players Shefali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Yastika Bhatia, Deepti Sharma under the spotlight.
The WPL 2023 will kickstart on 4th march and we will be bringing you all the latest news and updates right here. Stay tuned !
