The Women’s Premier League shifted to Vadodara for the first time in its history, attracting a surprisingly large number of fans and exceeding expectations, even among Vadodara officials.
With crores worth of investment, the Women’s Premier League boasts franchises owned by the same houses that invested in the IPL (3 so far). Over the last two editions, the WPL has evolved from being played in a single city to adopting a home-and-away format, marking a pivotal moment in women’s cricket.
The footfall for games in Vadodara has astonished officials, particularly as the stadium is located on the outskirts of the city. According to the BCA, over 15,000 spectators watch the games daily.
“This is despite the fact that entry fees are being charged for the matches. The fees are nominal, but still, people are paying to enter the stadium to watch the WPL. The stadium is far outside the city, but people are commuting all the way for the WPL,” said a BCA official to Times of India.
Officials believe the presence of Baroda-born cricketers Radha Yadav and Yastika Bhatia has further fueled the excitement. The effort fans make to commute and support the women’s game has been remarkable and highly motivating for the players. Players have expressed excitement and gratitude as crowds continue to flock in to watch them perform.
So far, the Vadodara venue has hosted five matches this WPL season, with the final game scheduled for tomorrow. While the initial matches were high-scoring, spinners have since dominated, leading to lower scores. However, the thrill hasn’t been lacking, with games remaining fiercely competitive and closely contested.
After February 19, the action shifts to the high-scoring and vibrant M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, where fan attendance is expected to soar as the women in red and gold return to their home ground.
(Inputs sourced from Times of India)
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