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BCCI plans WPL expansion from 2027 auction

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said deliberation sessions on increasing the number of teams will take place from next year.

By , Editor

· 2 min read

A cricket match, general view
Cricket match (general file photo, not from this event) Photo: Acabashi / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

The Board of Control for Cricket in India will discuss expanding the Women’s Premier League beyond five teams after the 2027 auction in Kochi, where only 25 of around 150 players were picked.

Key takeaways

  • WPL has had five teams since it began in 2023
  • BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed plans for brainstorming sessions from next year
  • Only 25 of around 150 players were picked at the WPL 2027 auction
  • Sophie Molineux was the costliest buy at Rs 1.10 crore for UP Warriorz
  • The 2027 season runs from January 14 to February 7

The Board of Control for Cricket in India plans to discuss expanding the Women’s Premier League beyond its current five teams, secretary Devajit Saikia said after the 2027 auction in Kochi.

The WPL was launched in 2023 with five teams, and the 2027 season will be held from January 14 to February 7. Saikia announced deliberation sessions would begin from next year, with the league having featured five franchises since its inaugural season in 2023.

Why it matters

The WPL 2027 auction saw around 150 players go under the hammer, but only 25 cricketers secured spots across the league’s five franchises. Saikia said five teams were too few compared to the growing pool of women cricketers, with many talented players left out.

10 crore for UP Warriorz. India batter Kiran Navgire was bought by Delhi Capitals for Rs 75 lakh. The auction this year had to be more restrained since most teams didn’t have much of a purse left.

What happens next

From next year, definitely we will have to do some brainstorming sessions to increase the number of teams as well as in other areas where we can improve.

Not only the players but so many other areas we are having involvement in, right from the coaches, selectors, etc, and various stakeholders are involved here. The discussions would cover not only players but also coaches, selectors and other stakeholders involved in running the competition.

Saikia said the WPL had made significant progress in four years and contributed to the wider growth of women’s cricket in India. WPL is one of the big leagues in franchise cricket after IPL.

We have come a long way in four years, and ultimately we are now dominating women’s cricket. WPL has contributed to the success of women’s cricket in India.

The BCCI will hold brainstorming sessions on increasing the number of teams and improving other areas from next year.

WPL 2027 auction details

Detail

Figure

Teams since 2023

5

Players in auction

around 150

Players picked

25

Costliest buy

Sophie Molineux, Rs 1.10 crore

Buying team

UP Warriorz

2027 season dates

January 14 to February 7

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