The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), on Tuesday (October 18) approved the much-awaited Women’s Indian Premier League (WIPL) during its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Mumbai.
“The General Body approved the conduct of the Women’s Indian Premier League,” read a statement from the BCCI.
However, the official window for the first edition of Women’s IPL is yet to be announced with the assumptions being made that the tournament will take place soon after the culmination of the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa.
Women’s Indian Premier League, a dream project for Jay Shah
Earlier in June, the secretary of BCCI, Jay Shah announced that Women’s IPL is a dream project for him and it will take place in 2023. He also confirmed that the inaugural edition of the tournament will see a total of five teams vying for the coveted title.
“This is a project which is very close to my heart. We will start with either five or six teams in the first edition. I am thrilled at the kind of response we have gotten from stakeholders. Multiple existing IPL teams have enquired and expressed serious interest in owning WIPL franchises.”
“Not to forget interest from outside. We are in discussions with other Boards about the possible window when all top cricketers will be available. I can promise that the valuation of the league, franchises, and media rights will stun one and all,” Shah told PTI.
Reportedly, the inaugural edition of the Women’s IPL is set to kick off in March and a total of five teams will participate in the tournament, which will be played across two venues.
A total of 22 matches will be played in the tournament and each team will be allowed to play five overseas players in their playing XI. Also, each team will be playing the others twice during the league phase with the table-toppers directly qualifying for the finals.
