Women’s Premier League to continue as a five-team tournament for the foreseeable future. Despite showing promise in the first three seasons with the growing number of in-stadium attendance and viewership, the BCCI won’t increase the number of teams yet. As per industry reports, WPL 2025 had a viewership of around 150 million for 22 matches. The WPL Final and the opener had the most viewership.
“To further strengthen this tournament for the time being, we want to consolidate before we take a call on further addition of any team. There are no immediate plans to add teams,” Arun Dhumal, IPL chairman, told PTI.
No home & away format yet
WPL has continued to run in a caravan model. While the BCCI has expanded WPL to four cities instead of hosting it in one or two centres, there is no home-and-away format yet. In WPL 2025, Vadodara, Lucknow, Bengaluru and Mumbai hosted matches.
While Arun Dhumal is optimistic about WPL’s future and women’s cricket, he is taking a cautious approach.
“Within three editions, WPL has grown phenomenally in terms of traction, for in-stadium attendance. All the broadcast numbers are very, very encouraging. And it has given new impetus to women’s cricket worldwide,” Dhumal added.
— Women's Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) March 16, 2025
𝙍𝘼𝙒 𝙀𝙈𝙊𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉𝙎
From nail-biting moments to pure and unbridled joy
The reactions say it all from the Mumbai Indians camp on an unforgettable night#TATAWPL | #DCvMI | #Final | @mipaltan pic.twitter.com/sdiaA2kxoR
No growth in India Women’s Cricket
However, despite the growing interest in women’s cricket, India women’s cricket hasn’t grown to the level all expected. The likes of Shreyanka Patil, Titas Sadhu and Minnu Mani are exceptions. But fitness issues and poor fielding do not give a great picture of women’s cricket yet.
Before expanding the WPL to other cities including Chennai, the BCCI will keep a tab on the growth of the talent pool women’s cricket in India.
“So, we are hoping this continues to grow. And this augurs very well for not only the tournament but women’s cricket in general,” Dhumal added.
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