IPL Franchise Owners Eye Expansion Into WPL: What You Need To Know
A New Era for Women’s Cricket in India
Women’s cricket in India has experienced a meteoric rise in prominence over the last few years. The inception of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in 2023 served as a catalyst, providing a professional structure that had long been missing in the domestic ecosystem. This momentum was further solidified by India’s historic World Cup victory on home soil in 2025, a watershed moment that captured the nation’s attention and firmly placed women’s cricket in the spotlight.
With a surge of talented players emerging from the domestic circuit, the conversation surrounding the WPL has naturally shifted toward its future structure. While the tournament currently features five teams, stakeholders are already anticipating an inevitable expansion. Interestingly, the interest is not just coming from new investors, but from existing IPL powerhouses looking to cement their footprint in the women’s game.
Punjab Kings Co-Owner Eyes WPL Entry
The appetite for growth is clearly visible among current IPL team owners. Mohit Burman, the Indian businessman and co-owner of the Punjab Kings, has publicly expressed a keen interest in acquiring a WPL franchise. Burman’s perspective reflects a broader industry recognition that the BCCI has successfully built a robust platform for women athletes in a remarkably short timeframe.
“The WPL has already established itself as an important platform for the women’s game in a very short period of time. The growth of women’s cricket has been fantastic to witness,” Burman stated in an interview. Addressing the strategic nature of such investments, he noted that every business group evaluates opportunities based on timing and long-term priorities. He clarified that a delay in initial investment should not be interpreted as a lack of confidence in the product. “Personally, I think the future of the women’s game is extremely bright. We would love to own a women’s IPL team,” he added.
The Stance of the BCCI on Expansion
While the prospect of adding new franchises is exciting for fans, the BCCI is currently adopting a cautious approach. The WPL has already seen dominant performances from the Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who have each secured two titles, while the Delhi Capitals have remained a consistent force in every final. The existing five-team model has provided high-intensity competition, and the board is wary of diluting this quality.
Arun Dhumal, the IPL Chairman, has emphasized that the primary objective for the board is consolidation. “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 new teams,” Dhumal remarked. This suggests that while there is an appetite for growth, the BCCI is prioritizing stability and long-term sustainability over rapid expansion.
The Transformative Power of T20 Leagues
The impact of leagues like the WPL cannot be overstated. For years, the Indian women’s team has maintained its status as a global powerhouse, consistently reaching the knockout stages of major ICC tournaments. However, the introduction of structured T20 leagues has fundamentally changed the preparation and confidence levels of the players.
Drawing inspiration from Australia’s Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), which has successfully groomed talent since 2015/16, the WPL is creating a similar environment for Indian players. The ability to play alongside and against international stars in a high-pressure environment is invaluable. This model is being replicated globally, with leagues like The Hundred in England, the WCPL in the West Indies, and the Women’s Super Smash in New Zealand, alongside the upcoming WBPL in Bangladesh.
The results of this professionalization are already evident. During the recent World Cup, the Indian squad displayed a level of composure in crunch moments that was previously lacking. Many players credit their participation in the WPL for this improved mental fortitude, signaling that the league is achieving exactly what it set out to do: elevate the standard of Indian women’s cricket for years to come.
