As cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the kick-off of the second season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has revealed a thrilling schedule for the upcoming tournament. The action is set to commence in Bengaluru on February 23, with a clash between last year’s finalists, Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals, at the iconic Chinnaswamy Stadium. The excitement is palpable, and fans can expect a riveting start to the league with this high-profile encounter scheduled to begin at 7:30 pm.
In a departure from the conventional home-and-away model, the WPL will unfold across two dynamic cricketing cities, Bengaluru and Delhi. The five-team tournament will feature a total of 22 matches, with Bengaluru hosting 11 games until March 4, before the caravan moves to the national capital, where the competition will resume on March 5. All matches are scheduled to start at 7:30 pm, adding a consistent touch to the tournament’s rhythm.
Women’s Premier League 2024: Playing teams – Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, UP Warriorz.
Women’s Premier League 2024: Full Squads
Delhi Capitals: Alice Capsey,Arundhati Reddy,Jemimah Rodrigues,Jess Jonassen,Laura Harris,Marizanne Kapp,Meg Lanning,Minnu Mani,Poonam Yadav,Radha Yadav,Shafali Verma,Shikha Pandey,Sneha Deepthi,Taniyaa Bhatia,Titas Sadhu,Annabel Sutherland (auction – 2.00 crore),Aparna Mondal (auction – 10 lakh),Ashwani Kumari (auction – 10 lakh)
Gujrat Titans: Ashleigh Gardner,Beth Mooney,Dayalan Hemalatha,Harleen Deol,Laura Wolvaardt,Shabnam,Shakil,Sneh Rana,Tanuja Kanwer,Phoebe Litchfield (auction – 1.00 crore),Meghna Singh (auction – 30 lakh),Trisha Poojitha (auction – 10 lakh).Kashvee Gautam (auction – 2.00 crore),Priya Mishra (auction – 20 lakh),Lauren Cheatle (auction – 30 lakh),Kathryn Bryce (auction – 10 lakh),Mannat Kashyap (auction – 10 lakh),Tarannum Pathan (auction – 10 lakh),Veda Krishnamurthy (auction – 30 lakh)
Mumbai Indians: Amanjot Kaur,Amelia Kerr,Chloe Tryon,Harmanpreet Kaur,Hayley Matthews,Humairaa Kaazi,Isabelle Wong,Jintimani Kalita,Natalie Sciver,Pooja Vastrakar,Priyanka Bala,Saika Ishaque,Yastika Bhatia,Shabnim Ismail (auction – 1.20 crore),Sajeevan Sajana (auction – 15 lakh),Amandeep Kaur (auction – 10 lakh),Fatima Jaffer (auction – 10 lakh),Keerthana Balakrishnan (auction – 10 lakh)
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Asha Shobana,Disha Kasat,Ellyse Perry,Heather Knight,Indrani Roy,Kanika Ahuja,Renuka Singh,Richa Ghosh,Shreyanka Patil,Smriti Mandhana,Sophie Devine,Georgia Wareham (auction – 40 lakh),Ekta Bisht (auction – 60 lakh),Kate Cross (auction – 30 lakh),Shubha Satheesh (auction – 10 lakh),S Meghna (auction – 30 lakh),Simran Bahadur (auction – 30 lakh)Sophie Molineux (auction – 10 lakh)
UP Warriorz: Alyssa Healy,Anjali Sarvani,Deepti Sharma,Grace Harris,Kiran Navgire,Lauren Bell,Laxmi Yadav,Parshavi Chopra,Rajeshwari Gayakwad,S Yashasri,Shweta Sehrawat,Sophie Ecclestone
Tahlia Mcgrath,Dani Wyatt (auction – 30 lakh),Vrinda Dinesh (auction – 1.30 crore),Saima Thakor (auction – 10 lakh),Poonam Khenmar (auction – 10 lakh),Gouher Sultana (auction – 30 lakh)
The WPL organizers have strived to maintain an intense and competitive atmosphere throughout the league. Unlike the Indian Premier League (IPL), there are no doubleheaders in the 24-day extravaganza, ensuring that each match gets its due spotlight. However, on a few occasions, teams will face the challenge of playing back-to-back games on consecutive days, adding an element of endurance and strategy to the mix.
Originally planned as a home-and-away model akin to the IPL, logistical challenges compelled the BCCI to streamline the tournament’s format. The first season unfolded entirely in Mumbai, and this season’s dual-city spectacle promises a diverse and widespread display of women’s cricketing talent.
The Delhi leg of the WPL will kick off with a high-stakes encounter between last year’s finalists, Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. All matches in the capital city will be hosted at this iconic venue, contributing to the historical significance of the games.
The league structure remains consistent with the previous season. The top three teams from the league stage will advance to the playoffs, with the table-toppers securing a direct berth in the final. The teams finishing second and third will engage in an Eliminator on March 15, setting the stage for a thrilling run to the championship.
Women’s Premier League 2024: Full Schedule
February 23- Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals in Bengaluru
February 24- Royal Challengers Bangalore vs UP Warriors in Bengaluru
February 25- Gujarat Giants vs Mumbai Indians in Bengaluru
February 26 – UP Warriors vs Delhi Capitals in Bengaluru
February 27 – Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Gujarat Giants in Bengaluru
February 28 – Mumbai Indians vs UP Warriors in Bengaluru
February 29 – Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Delhi Capitals in Bengaluru
March 1 – UP Warriors vs Gujarat Giants in Bengaluru
March 2 – Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Mumbai Indians in Bengaluru
March 3 – Gujarat Giants vs Delhi Capitals in Bengaluru
March 4 – UP Warriors vs Royal Challengers Bangalore in Bengaluru
March 5 – Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians in Delhi
March 6 – Gujarat Giants vs Royal Challengers Bangalore in Delhi
March 7 – UP Warriors vs Mumbai Indians in Delhi
March 8 – Delhi Capitals vs UP Warriors in Delhi
March 9 – Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Giants in Delhi
March 10 – Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore in Delhi
March 11 – Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriors in Delhi
March 12 – Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bangalore in Delhi
March 13 – Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Giants in Delhi
March 15 – Eliminator in Delhi
March 17 – Final in Delhi
In the inaugural season of the WPL, the Mumbai Indians, captained by India’s Harmanpreet Kaur, clinched the title with a resounding victory over Delhi Capitals. The tournament witnessed stellar individual performances, with DC captain Meg Lanning emerging as the leading run-scorer, amassing an impressive 345 runs. Meanwhile, MI’s Hayley Mathews claimed the Purple Cap for her exceptional bowling prowess, securing 16 wickets in 10 matches.
As cricket enthusiasts gear up for another season of intense competition, the WPL promises to be a celebration of women’s cricket, showcasing talent, skill, and sportsmanship. With the vibrant cities of Bengaluru and Delhi as the backdrop, fans can expect a cricketing extravaganza that not only entertains but also inspires a new generation of players and fans alike. Mark your calendars for February 23 as the Women’s Premier League 2024 unfolds with the clash of titans, setting the stage for a memorable cricketing spectacle.