The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will discuss expanding the Women's Premier League (WPL) beyond five teams from next year, secretary Devajit Saikia has announced.
His comments came a day after the WPL 2027 auction was held in Kochi on Wednesday, in which around 150 players went under the hammer, but only 25 cricketers secured spots across the league's five franchises.
-
Indian Markets Turning Corner After Two Tough Years, Says Sandeep Tandon -
NDTV Profit Ignite 2026: Experts See Opportunity In Equities, Stay Bullish For Long-Term -
Buy Right, Sit Tight Does Not Work for Individual Stocks, Says Dinshaw Irani -
'Worst Is Behind': Quant MF Sees Market Bottom, Flags 'Extreme Euphoria' In Midcaps -
India's Mutual Fund Industry Could Become A $1 Trillion Opportunity, Say Fund Managers -
'Foreign Investors Are Baraatis': Raamdeo Agrawal's Take On LTCG Tax -
Stay Invested Through Market Cycles: Raamdeo Agrawal at NDTV Profit Ignite -
Ramesh Damani Remains Bullish On India For Next 20-30 Years, Sees Bargains Amid Market Weakness -
CAS Came After A Long Consultation Process: SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey AT NDTV PROFIT IGNITE -
Aim To Cut FPI Onboarding Time From Mth To Five Days: SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey AT NDTV PROFI
The WPL was launched in 2023 with five teams, and the 2027 season will be held from January 14 to February 7.
"There are about 150 players in the fray and hardly 25-27 could be accommodated. Many talented players were left out. So, we can clearly see that five teams are too few compared to the growing pool of women cricketers," Sakia said.
"From next year, we will definitely have brainstorming sessions on increasing the number of teams, as well as improving other areas. It is not only about the players; coaches, selectors and various other stakeholders are involved in this ecosystem," Saikia said in a video posted on the WPL's social media handles on Thursday.
Why More Teams Are Needed
The WPL can only handle a small percentage of India's rapidly expanding domestic talent pool because it only has five teams. There would be additional chances for players to participate in the competition if one or two teams were added, and team budgets might be increased.
"The overall ecosystem has benefited positively from the WPL. This is a wonderful beginning and a wonderful journey, and I hope the league will grow by leaps and bounds in the coming years," Saikia added.
Praise For A 15-Year-Old
Saikia also welcomed the selection of 15-year-old uncapped all-rounder Uma Kashvi, who was picked by Delhi Capitals for Rs 10 lakh.
"I am very happy that a young girl of 15 years has got an opportunity to play in the WPL. That is a success. We want to bring more women cricketers into the game and make them part of this success story in Indian women's cricket," Sakia concluded.
The WPL's Role In India's Growth
Saikia credited the WPL with playing a major role in the growth of women's cricket in India, pointing to the national team's ODI World Cup triumph last year.
"We are the reigning world champions, and that reflects the impact the WPL has had on women's cricket across the country. The WPL is now one of the biggest franchise leagues in the world after the IPL.
ALSO READ: ICC Rankings: Abhishek Sharma Reclaims No 1 T20I Batting Spot, Marco Jansen Tops Test Charts
"If you look at the journey over the last four years, we have come a long way. Today, India are among the dominant forces in women's cricket, and the WPL has contributed significantly to that success," he concluded.
Essential Business Intelligence, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice, Daily Fuel, Gold and Silver Prices and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.