The cricketing scenario in India is set for a groundbreaking addition with the commencement of the Women’s Maharashtra Premier League (WMPL), scheduled to kick off on June 24th at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Gahunje. Initiated by the MCA, this franchise-based T20 tournament marks a significant step in women’s cricket, not only in Maharashtra but across the country.
Aiming to support and provide a platform for local talent, the Women’s Maharashtra Premier League (WMPL) features renowned international and national cricketers hailing from Maharashtra. At the forefront of this initiative stands the Indian Vice Captain Smriti Mandhana, one of the iconic players for this inaugural edition. Mandhana’s inclusion not only adds star power but also highlights the league’s commitment to showcasing top-tier talent.
The league is evidence of the MCA’s innovative spirit, becoming the first association under the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to organize a state-level tournament exclusively for women.
Joining Mandhana are other iconic figures Devika Vaidya, Anuja Patil, Kiran Navgire, and Shraddha Pokharkar, who are set to ignite the cricketing enthusiasm in Maharashtra.
The inaugural season will have a substantial prize pool of INR 20 lakh for the champions and INR 10 lakh for the runners-up, in addition to individual accolades. Further, the forthcoming auctions scheduled for the team are from April 27th and May 11th for players. Notably, the auction and the games will be live-streamed on Jio Cinema and telecasted on Sports18.
The WMPL is part of a larger movement to elevate women’s cricket to new heights, further highlighting the growing momentum behind women’s cricket in India.