The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2023 title rights have been awarded to TATA Group, according to BCCI secretary Jay Shah’s announcement on Tuesday. Jay Shah announced the news on Twitter. He stated: “It gives me great pleasure to name the #TataGroup as the inaugural #WPL’s title sponsor. We are convinced that we can advance women’s cricket with their assistance. @wplt20 @BCCI @BCCIWomen”
In the DY Patil Stadium on March 4, Gujarat Giants and Mumbai Indians will play in the opening game of the WPL 2023. The WPL will host a total of 20 league games and two playoff games in its inaugural season, all of which will last 23 days.
On March 5, the league’s five teams—Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and UP Warriorz—will play their first doubleheader when Royal Challengers Bangalore takes on Delhi Capitals at the Brabourne Stadium, CCI, and UP Warriorz takes on Gujarat Giants at the DY Patil Stadium.
There will be four double headers, with the first game beginning at 15:30 IST and the final three games beginning at 1930 IST. The DY Patil Stadium and Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai will host a combined total of 11 matches, according to a media statement from the BCCI.
On March 21 at the Brabourne Stadium, CCI, UP Warriorz and Delhi Capitals will square off in the league stage’s penultimate match. On March 24, The Eliminator will be held at DY Patil Stadium. On March 26, the Women’s Premier League Final will be held at Brabourne Stadium.
Prior to the league’s debut, the five organisations spent lavishly to sign some of the top players on the national and international circuits.
Smriti Mandhana of India was the highest purchase; she was sold to Royal Challengers Bangalore for an astounding INR 3.40 crore. Harmanpreet Kaur, the captain of Team India, was traded to the Mumbai Indians for INR 1.80 crore, while all of the other international and Indian celebrities were selected for one of the five franchises.
Ashleigh Gardner of Australia and Natalie Sciver of England were the top purchases among the overseas players and were sold to Gujarat Giants and Mumbai Indians for INR 3.20 crore each.
Shafali Verma, the captain of the India U19 team and winner of the ICC U19 T20 World Cup, was the top buy and was sold to Delhi Capitals for INR 2 crore.