Women's Premier League (WPL): India's Women's T20 Franchise Tournament

WPL Launch

The Women's Premier League (WPL) was launched by the BCCI in March 2023 — two years later than originally planned due to COVID delays. Five franchises were sold: Mumbai Indians (Women), Delhi Capitals (Women), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Women), UP Warriorz, and Gujarat Giants. Franchise rights sold for a total of ₹4,669 crore — making the WPL the most lucrative women's sports franchise sale in history at that time.

The Auction and Salaries

The first WPL player auction set records for women's cricket. Smriti Mandhana was the highest-sold Indian player. International stars including Ellyse Perry, Deandra Dottin, and Nat Sciver-Brunt commanded significant fees. The auction created salary levels that transformed the global women's cricket economy — for the first time, elite women cricketers could earn salaries comparable to professional men's domestic cricket.

Tournament Format

Five teams play each other twice in the group stage, with the top three advancing to a Eliminator and Final. All matches are 20-over T20 cricket played at venues across India (primarily Mumbai and Delhi). International players slot directly into the T20 skill set, and the competition is played in March each year — fitting between ICC events and domestic schedules.

Impact on Women's Cricket

The WPL's most significant impact has been financial. Players from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and South Africa — who previously earned minimal professional wages — received WPL contracts that transformed their economic situations. The competition also raised the level of Indian women's domestic cricket, as players were exposed to international tactics and coaching in a high-pressure franchise environment.

Smriti Mandhana, RCB Women's captain and India's most recognisable women's cricketer, won Player of the Tournament in the 2024 WPL. Her fearless left-handed stroke-play and consistent run-scoring made her the face of the competition globally.