The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made a significant announcement about WPL that has sparked excitement among cricket fans and women’s rights advocates alike. In an effort to promote and develop women’s cricket in India, the BCCI has offered free entry for women and girls to the upcoming Women’s Premier League (WPL) tournament.
The announcement was made by BCCI Honorary Secretary Jay Shah on Twitter. “I am delighted to announce the #TataGroup as the title sponsor of the inaugural #WPL. With their support, we’re confident that we can take women’s cricket to the next level. @BCCI @BCCIWomen @wplt20,” he said.
The WPL T20 series is set to commence on March 4th and will feature five teams playing 22 matches. The tournament’s inaugural edition will include the Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and UP Warriorz. The opening match between the Gujarat Giants and Mumbai Indians will be held at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium.
The BCCI’s decision to offer free entry for women and girls to the WPL tournament is a significant step towards creating a broader audience for women’s cricket in India. The move is expected to increase the number of attendees and generate interest in the sport among a wider demographic. The BCCI hopes that the tournament will attract a significant audience and match the spectator numbers seen in the T20I series between India and Australia, which drew 35,000 spectators at the Wankhede Stadium.
WPL T20 series to be streamed live on Jio Cinema app and Sports18 Network
To make the WPL T20 series accessible to cricket fans across India, the tournament will be streamed live on the Jio Cinema app and the Sports18 Network for free. This will provide cricket enthusiasts with easy access to the games and increase the visibility of women’s cricket in the country.
Bollywood stars to perform at grand opening ceremony of WPL 2023
The BCCI has also announced that several Bollywood stars, including actresses Kriti Sanon and Kiara Advani and music sensation AP Dhillon, will perform at the grand opening ceremony of the WPL 2023. The tournament has already generated significant interest, with tickets for the matches being sold out on BookMyShow. Women can still enter the stadium for free on a first-come-first-serve basis. Certain sections of the stadium have been reserved exclusively for women, while men can purchase tickets for Rs 100 and Rs 400.
The TATA Group has secured the title sponsorship rights for the WPL seasons up to 2027, providing a significant financial boost to women’s cricket in India. The sponsorship deal will allow the BCCI to invest in the development of the sport and provide better facilities and resources for women’s cricket players.
Some of India’s brightest stars, including captain Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Richa Ghosh, will be playing alongside global cricketing stars such as Alyssa Healy, Deandra Dottin, Ellyse Perry, Sophie Ecclestone, and Sophie Devine. The tournament promises to be a landmark event for women’s cricket in India, offering fans an opportunity to watch some of the world’s best players compete in a highly competitive tournament.
In conclusion, the BCCI’s decision to offer free entry for women and girls to the Women’s Premier League tournament is a commendable initiative that will undoubtedly contribute to the growth and development of women’s cricket in India. With the support of the TATA Group, the BCCI hopes to elevate women’s cricket to new heights and provide a platform for female cricketers to showcase their talent on a global stage. The Women’s T20 Challenge promises to be an unforgettable event for cricket fans, and it will be exciting to see how the tournament unfolds in the coming weeks.