Women’s Day: The Women’s Premier League is Contributing to the Development of Women’s Cricket in India

2023 might be seen as a critical year for women’s cricket in India for a variety of reasons. India accomplished a stunning feat by winning the first-ever Women’s U19 World Cup in South Africa, led by Shafali Verma.

Later in the year, at the Asian Games’ first T20 competition held in Hangzhou, China, the senior women’s team claimed a historic gold medal. After an 11-year break, it played Tests at home and won consecutively against Australia and England. Not to be overlooked, the BCCI declared match-fee parity for international athletes of both sexes.

However, if one event stands out above the others, it is the Women’s Premier League (WPL) opening in Navi Mumbai on March 4. After many years of longing, the aspiration of a large number of women’s cricket players and supporters had finally come true, attracting attention from all directions.

The massive enthusiasm for women’s cricket in India was shown by the packed houses for the WPL 2023 matches in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. With 11 games held in each of the two new locations—Bengaluru and New Delhi—the BCCI is expanding the WPL this year.

In contrast to the previous year, when female fans were admitted free of charge, tickets are now required in order to attend any games at the locations. Bengaluru had high attendance for every game it hosted in the first half, demonstrating the city’s popularity as a WPL host city.

When the Royal Challengers Bangalore were playing, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium was jam-packed, with the home audience cheering on Smriti Mandhana and company as they would the men’s side in the Indian Premier League.

The state of the game right now is like a dream come true. The game belongs here, and it should have remained here forever. It’s a really pleasant sensation to see the game in its proper position.

Mamatha Maben, the former captain of India, told IANS, “So many of my friends from Chennai and Hyderabad came to watch matches in Bengaluru and after I finished my work, I went to the WPL games to catch up with them and it has been a great feeling to meet former cricketers while watching the games in the stadium.”

There is a belief that Delhi will really shine on the weekends, despite the fact that it has taken a while to embrace the excitement and energy connected with the WPL. In addition to the lively audience, the WPL has been instrumental in providing local players with a platform to interact with world-class cricketers.

“The WPL has impacted many domestic players’ lives in addition to mine. It will alter a great deal more lives and inspire in everyone the idea that they, too, are capable of dreaming big and playing alongside someone like Smriti Mandhana, Ellyse Perry, or Sophie Devine.

“I never would have imagined that I could share a dressing room with those three a year ago.” In a virtual conversation, Asha Sobhana, the leg-spinner for the RCB and the first Indian bowler to take five wickets in the WPL, remarked that anybody may dream today and accomplish their goals.

Shweta Sehrawat, who scored well in the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup, overcame her shyness via the WPL and improved as a communicator.

“I wasn’t talking to others about the game, and WPL 2023 taught me how to start conversations, voice my opinions, and articulate myself so that you may get the answer you’re seeking. In an interview with IANS before the WPL 2024, she recalled, “I got a lot of help in terms of communication and in terms of cricket; I learned a lot of new things from the players, as well as from Jon Lewis, head coach, sir and Ashley Noffke, bowling coach.”

The clubs’ choice to have off-season camps after WPL 2023 concludes has also been intriguing. From July 31 to August 10, 2023, UP Warriorz organized one in Bengaluru to improve the abilities of its Indian athletes.

August 2023 saw the Delhi Capitals host an off-season camp for the Indian players on their women’s squad, while RCB also made an investment in women’s cricket players’ camps, with an emphasis on health and conditioning.

We’ve spent a lot of time at camps over the last year. We would get together for a camp for three or four days a month at the very least, and during the summer we had an ongoing 50-day program that was dedicated to fitness. In terms of my run-up, alignment, and effectiveness with the ball, it enabled me to bowl as efficiently as possible. Organizing 50–60 days of camp is difficult; therefore, Asha expressed her gratitude to the franchise for its assistance.

On International Women’s Day, Friday, the Delhi Capitals and UP Warriorz will play a match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The competition has had a positive influence on many fronts, both on and off the field, and it has shown the depth of women’s cricket in India.

As time passes, the WPL will be remembered for its vital role in bringing women’s cricket in India to a new level and accelerating its expansion inside the nation.