The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has backtracked from their promise for turning the 2024 edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in home and away format. According to Women’s CricZone, the WPL 2024 will be played in two cities – Bengaluru and Mumbai.
Earlier in April, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal had announced that the board will make WPL 2024 in home and away format in Diwali-window with no addition of franchises for the next three years.
“We have started with five teams but going forward there is scope for additional team given the pool of the players that is going to come in the years to follow”, Dhumal had told PTI in April this year.
“We are hoping increase in the number of teams but for the coming three seasons will remain five. Will see which time slot is available considering India’s international commitment and take a call”, he added.
However, it seems the board has taken a U-turn on their promise and will continue to keep the tournament restricted in two cities.
WPL 2024 to begin in February
The reports have further added that the tournament will begin in February next year after the conclusion of Team India’s home series against Australia and England.
The WPL 2024 will follow the double round-robin format where all 5 teams will play each other twice and the top three teams will progress to the knockouts.
Just like in the maiden edition, the table topper will go straight to the final, while the other two teams will play in the Eliminator.
Notably, on October 19 BCCI released the retention list of players. The five franchises retained a total of 60 players and released 29 of them.