WPL to get more teams from next year? BCCI secretary Saikia shares latest update

NEW DELHI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering increasing the number of teams in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) from next year to provide more opportunities for women cricketers. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the board will discuss the expansion after many players missed out on selection in the WPL 2027 auction held in Kochi. The league started in 2023 with five teams, and the 2027 season is scheduled to take place from January 14 to February 7.

Saikia pointed out that the number of available players is much higher than the opportunities offered by the five existing teams. “There are about 150 players who are in the fray here and hardly 27 we had to take but still so many players were left out. So we can very easily see that five number of teams are really less compared to the number of supply chain of girls cricketers," Saikia said, as quoted by news agency IANS.

“From next year, definitely we will have to do some brainstorming sessions to increase the number of teams as well as in other areas where we can improve. Not only the players but so many other areas we are having involvement in, right from the coaches, selectors, etc, and various stakeholders are involved here." Adding one or two teams and increasing player budgets could help more domestic players get a chance to compete at the highest level.

“So the overall ecosystem has a positive impact on WPL. This is a wonderful beginning, and this is a wonderful journey going on and I hope WPL will grow from leaps and bounds in the coming years,” added Saikia.

Saikia also praised Delhi Capitals for signing 15-year-old uncapped all-rounder Uma Kashvi for Rs 10 lakh, calling it a positive step for young talent. “I am very happy that a young girl of 15 years got an opportunity to play in the WPL. That is a success. We want to bring maximum women cricketers to play and be a part of this success story in Indian women’s cricket.”

He also credited the WPL for helping India become a stronger force in women’s cricket, highlighting the national team’s ODI World Cup victory last year. “We are the present champions in the world and that shows the expansion this WPL has given all across the country so far as women’s cricket is concerned. You see WPL is one of the big leagues in the world of franchise cricket after the IPL.”

Saikia said the league has played an important role in India’s progress and expressed hope that it would continue to grow in the coming years.