Bigger, richer Women's Premier League set to start in India

More money. More hype. More plans. Women’s cricket is set to be transformed with the advent of the new franchise Twenty20 tournament in India.

The Women’s Premier League starts on Saturday in Mumbai with star players from around the world, just a week after Australia defended their T20 World Cup title in South Africa.

The WPL has the backing of the Board of Control for Cricket in India in the wake of the enormously successful Indian Premier League, the sport’s leading franchise competition.

“The Women’s Premier League is a huge development. Female cricketers in India will stick to the sport for a longer duration now, and it will only benefit Indian cricket in the longer run," said Mithali Raj, a former captain of India and a mentor for the Gujarat Giants.

"The league will expand in the future and bring financial viability to the women’s game.”

The BCCI for several years resisted calls for a women’s T20 competition, citing a lack of interest from sponsors and broadcasters, but did stage a four-match Women’s T20 Challenge to run parallel with the IPL knockouts.

Other countries including Australia, which has dominated women's cricket, and England stole a march in terms of women’s franchise leagues.

But late last year, India's powerful cricket administration finally acted after a financial research report revealed a major appetite for women’s T20 cricket and the WPL was born.

Five franchises in the inaugural tournament went up for auction in January and were collectively sold for $580 million.

Three existing men’s IPL teams – Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals – purchased WPL franchises with home bases at Mumbai, Bengaluru and Delhi.

Two new franchises were established with Adani Group and Capri Global buying the Gujarat Giants, based in Ahmedabad, and UP Warriorz to be based in Lucknow.

The three-week tournament will contain 22 games, including 20 in the league stage and two knockouts, all played in Mumbai for Season 1. It kicks off with Gujarat Giants against Mumbai Indians.

The WPL has already become the most lucrative women’s cricket property across the globe in terms of franchise and player values.

Nearly 1,500 candidates registered for 90 spots - including 30 for internationals — in the player auctions held on Feb. 13, when each franchise had a $1.5 million cap. All bar three positions were filled on auction day.

India’s star batter Smriti Mandhana was the most expensive player at the auction, with Royal Challengers Bangalore successfully bidding $413,950.