This book explains why cricket’s Women’s Premier League is influential and here to stay

The inaugural season of the Women’s Premier League or the WPL began in 2023 and was organised by the BCCI. Named and modelled after its famous big brother the IPL (Indian Premier League), it transformed women’s cricket in India forever. Today, it has quickly become the world’s premier franchise-based T20 cricket league. The tournament features five teams: Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz.

The inaugural edition of the WPL in 2023 was won by the Mumbai Indians, led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who defeated the Delhi Capitals, led by Meg Lanning, in the final by seven wickets. A fun fact is that the Delhi Capitals have reached all the finals in the history of the WPL, only to lose in all of them.

If 2017 provided the sparks for the fire to be lit, 2023 helped it become a bonfire when the WPL was introduced in India. Once empty stands were transformed into packed stadiums in Mumbai and Bengaluru, television viewership escalated into millions, and sponsorship deals touched the roof with hundreds of crores. Cricketers who once pinched their pennies for train fare or demanded train reimbursements now flew to cricketing venues. Women cricketers went under the hammer...

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