India's Women's Cricket Goes Pro with Launch of Women's Premier League
1. Introduction
The Women's Premier League (WPL) is set to make its debut in '23 with a game between the Mumbai Indians and the Gujarat Giants. The league has generated a lot of excitement, and many believe it will be a game-changer for women's cricket. The WPL is a watershed moment for women's cricket as it marks the beginning of a full-fledged women's league in India.
WPL 2023: Gujarat Giants vs Mumbai Indians
2. The Business of WPL
The sale of WPL's five franchises and media rights alone fetched nearly $690 million, which is a testament to the potential of women's cricket in India. The Indian cricket board has lined up an impressive array of sponsors for the 22-match tournament, and several female cricketers experienced the biggest payday of their career in last month's players auction, where teams had $1.45 million each to spend on acquiring players.
3. Talent and Expectations
The WPL is expected to raise the standard of the game in the country, and it has attracted some of the best cricketing talent from India and abroad. The league features close to 100 Indian and foreign players representing five franchise teams, with a combined net worth of Rs 4,670 crore.
4. The Players' Perspective
India and Mumbai Indians skipper Harmanpreet Kaur predicted that the WPL would change lives and raise the standard of women's cricket in the country. "We are also going to get some good talent, and I'm sure the difference between India and Australia sides will narrow down," said Kaur.
The WPL has given many players an opportunity to pursue their dreams of playing professional cricket. For Delhi Capitals' top-order batswoman Sneha Deepthi, a mother of a two-year-old at 26, it's an opportunity to return to professional sport. Then there is Royal Challengers Bangalore's batswoman Poonam Khemnar, 28, who recalls the opposition she faced from her parents for pursuing cricket.
5. Emotional Connections
The league also features Australia legend and Delhi Capitals' captain Meg Lanning, who moved away from the game after guiding her side to the Commonwealth Games gold medal victory in August last year. She spent her time travelling and even worked in a cafe "making coffee and washing dishes". She led Australia to the women's T20 World title last month - her fifth World Cup triumph, four in T20s and one in ODIs.
England's Nat Sciver-Brunt, who recently took a break to "focus on her mental health and well-being," will play for the Mumbai Indians. She returned from her break as England's vice-captain for the T20 World Cup and finished as the second-highest run-getter in the tournament.
The WPL is also a time for remembering - and missing - loved ones who are no longer with the players. For some players, the league is an emotional experience. Gujarat Giants' vice-captain, Sneh Rana, talked about how excited her family was for her, even as she spoke about how much she missed her late father.
6. Conclusion
The Women's Premier League is a landmark moment for women's cricket in India. The league has generated a lot of excitement and is expected to raise the standard of the game in the country. The WPL has given many players an opportunity to pursue their dreams of playing professional cricket, and it has attracted some of the best cricketing talent from India and abroad.
Keypoints
1. The Women's Premier League (WPL) is a new IPL-like league for women's cricket in India
2. The WPL features five franchise teams with a combined net worth of Rs 4,670 crore and a Rs 951 crore broadcasting deal
3. The league has attracted close to 100 Indian and foreign players, including India and Mumbai Indians skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, and Australia legend and Delhi Capitals’ captain Meg Lanning
4. The league has the potential to be a game-changer for women’s cricket, raising the standard of the game in India and narrowing the difference between India and Australia sides
5. The WPL has provided opportunities for players like Delhi Capitals’ top-order batswoman Sneha Deepthi, who is returning to professional sport after becoming a mother, and Royal Challengers Bangalore’s batswoman Poonam Khemnar, who overcame opposition from her parents to pursue cricket
6. The league has also provided a chance for players to remember loved ones who are no longer with them, such as Gujarat Giants’ vice-captain Sneh Rana, who talks about missing her late father
