The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced an extension for the player retention deadline in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Originally, franchises were required to submit their lists of retained players by October 15. However, on Tuesday, October 15, the BCCI communicated to the franchises that they now have until November 7 to finalize their selections.
Each team is allowed a squad of 18 players, including a maximum of six overseas players. Similar to the Indian Premier League (IPL), franchises can release players annually. The BCCI plans to conduct a mini-auction based on these retention decisions, although the exact timing of the auction has yet to be confirmed. The auction budget for the upcoming third season has been set at INR 15 crores, an increase from INR 12 crores in the inaugural season and INR 13.5 crores in the previous year.
Following the third season next year, there is a possibility of a mega-auction, with the potential addition of a new team. The BCCI will need to establish a retention policy for the WPL, akin to what is in place for the IPL. Currently, the league comprises five teams.
While the BCCI has not definitively announced the location or schedule for the third season, it is anticipated to occur in the same February-March window as the first two seasons. Franchises have indicated to Cricbuzz that they expect a similar timeframe, especially since the final senior women’s domestic matches conclude by mid-January.
The specific venues for the upcoming season are still to be determined; however, it is likely that, as with the second season, the BCCI may opt for two locations. The 22-match second season was held in Bengaluru and New Delhi, while the inaugural season took place entirely in Mumbai.
The current teams in the league include Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and UP Warriorz. The Mumbai Indians, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, were the champions of the inaugural season in 2023, while the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, captained by Smriti Mandhana, are the defending champions.
