In recent years, India has witnessed a surge in state-wise franchise tournaments for women’s cricket, marking a significant step towards promoting and developing the sport at the grassroots level.
These tournaments, spread across various states, have emerged as crucial platforms for showcasing local talent and providing aspiring female cricketers with valuable competitive experience. Notable among these are the Bengal Pro T20 League, Uttarakhand Premier League, Assam’s GTC Summer Challenge T20 Women’s Trophy, Maharashtra Premier League, Jharkhand Women’s T20, and Delhi Premier League. Each of these tournaments brings its unique flavor to the cricketing landscape, reflecting the diverse cricketing cultures across India while collectively contributing to the growth of women’s cricket in the country.
Bengal Pro T20 League:
The Bengal Pro T20 League is an annual women’s cricket tournament in West Bengal, India, established in 2024 by the Cricket Association of Bengal. The league features eight franchise teams competing in a T20 format. Matches are usually played as double-headers at the Jadavpur University Salt Lake Campus ground, which also hosts first-class matches.
This league aims to showcase top state talent, including IPL and international players, while also providing a platform for emerging cricketers. Inspired by the IPL, it offers high-quality production and broadcasting, creating an exciting “cricketainment” experience for local fans.
The tournament structure includes 31 league-stage matches, followed by semi-finals and a final. The top four teams from the league stage advance to the semi-finals. Each of the eight franchises, named after cities in West Bengal, can have up to 17 players, including two from outside the state.
The participating teams are: Adamas Howrah Warriors, Harbour Diamonds, Lux Shyam Kolkata Tigers, Murshidabad Kings & Queens, Shrachi Rarh Tigers, Rashmi Medinipur Wizards, Servotech Siliguri Strikers, and Sobisco Smashers Malda.
Uttarakhand Premier League:
The Uttarakhand Premier League (UPL) is a new T20 cricket tournament launched in 2024 for the state of Uttarakhand, India. Organized by the Cricket Association of Uttarakhand (UCA) and approved by the Board of Control for Cricket in India, this league aims to bring high-quality cricket to Uttarakhand and showcase local talent from various districts. The inaugural season of the UPL, scheduled to begin on September 15, 2024, will feature three women’s teams: Mussoorie Thunders (owned by Parkash Singh), Nainital SG Pipers (owned by Dr. Rohan Gupta), and Dehradun Highlanders (ownership not specified in the given information).
The league’s creation was announced in June 2024, with CAU Secretary Mahim Verma introducing the team owners and founding teams. This initiative represents a significant step in promoting cricket, particularly women’s cricket, at the state level in Uttarakhand.
Delhi Premier League:
The Delhi Premier League T20 is a new cricket tournament launched in 2024 for the union territory of Delhi, India. Organized by the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA), this T20 franchise competition features four teams representing different zones of Delhi. The inaugural season includes the following teams: South Delhi Superstars, East Delhi Riders, Central Delhi Queens, and North Delhi Strikers. The league’s format involves seven matches taking place from September 2 to September 7, 2024, in the iconic Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. This structure allows for efficient scheduling and maximizes fan engagement.
Former Indian cricket legend Virender Sehwag serves as the brand ambassador. His involvement likely helps to raise the profile of the league and attract more attention to women’s cricket in Delhi. This tournament represents an important step in developing and showcasing cricket talent in Delhi, particularly for women players, while also providing exciting T20 action for local cricket enthusiasts.
Jharkhand Women’s T20
The Jharkhand Women’s T20 2024 is a new cricket tournament organized by the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA), set to run from September 6 to 15 in Ranchi. This inaugural event features five teams competing in a 13-match series over 10 days.
The participating teams are: Bokaro Warriors, Dhanbad Dragons, Dumka Dunamos, Jamshedpur Titans, and Ranchi Royals.
The tournament follows a single round-robin format, with each team playing against the others once. The top four teams will advance to the semi-finals, with the winners facing off in the final on September 15. All matches will be held at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi, providing a consistent venue for the entire tournament.
This T20 competition aims to provide a platform for women cricketers from Jharkhand to demonstrate their skills and gain valuable experience in competitive cricket. It represents a significant step in promoting and developing women’s cricket at the state level in Jharkhand.
Maharashtra Premier League:
The inaugural Women’s Maharashtra Premier League is set to launch in September, featuring four teams representing different regions of Maharashtra. This new tournament aims to showcase both emerging talent and established stars from the state.
The participating teams are Suhana Sahyadri (representing Pune), Wine Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. (representing Nashik), Kapil Sons Group (representing Raigad), and Royal Genius Sports Pvt. Ltd. (representing Solapur).
A key highlight of the league is the participation of iconic Maharashtra players, including international stars like Smriti Mandhana, alongside other notable cricketers such as Anuja Patil, Utkarsha Pawar, Devika Vaidya, Kiran Navgire, Tejal Hasabnis, Shraddha Pokharkar, Khushi Mulla, Aarti Kedar, Ishwari Awasare, and Ishwari Savkar. This mix of experienced players and young talent is expected to create an exciting and competitive environment.
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