Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah, President Roger Binny, Vice President Rajeev Shukla, Treasurer Ashish Shelar and another dignitary during the auction of the inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League in Mumbai on February 13, 2023. , Photo Credit: ANI
There will be a blockbuster opening match between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Giants women’s premier league (WPL) on March 4 while the final will be held on March 26, the BCCI announced on Tuesday.
The inaugural edition of the tournament at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai and the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai will have 11 matches each, with 22 matches – 20 league matches, an eliminator and the final – to be played over 23 days.
The opening match and the eliminator will be played at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on March 24, while the final will be held at the Brabourne Stadium on March 26.
“Sunday, March 5, 2023, will be the first double-header day of the WPL, where Royal Challengers Bangalore will square off against Delhi Capitals at the Brabourne Stadium, CCI,” the BCCI said in a release.
“UP Warriors will play their first game of the league against Gujarat Giants at DY Patil Stadium in the evening. The final game of the league stage will be played between UP Warriors and Delhi Capitals on March 21 at CCI’s Brabourne Stadium.
“There will be four double headers, with the first match starting at 3:30 PM. All evening matches will start at 7:30 PM IST,” it said.
Five teams – Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and UP Warriors – spent their money on Monday to acquire some of the best players in the international and domestic circuit.
India’s Smriti Mandhana was the top buy as she was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore for тВ╣3.40 crore. Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur was bought by Mumbai Indians for тВ╣1.80 crore.
Among overseas players, Australia all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner and England all-rounder Natalie Sciver were the top buys as they were bought by Gujarat Giants and Mumbai Indians for тВ╣3.20 crore respectively.
India’s Under-19 T20 World Cup winning captain Shafali Verma was bought by Delhi Capitals for тВ╣2 crore.