Tata Group on Tuesday acquired the title rights to the inaugural Women’s Premier League which kicks off in Mumbai on March 4. “Excited to announce the #TataGroup as the title sponsor of the inaugural #WPL. can take women’s cricket to the next level,” tweeted BCCI Secretary Jay Shah. Financial details of the deal have not been disclosed.
I am delighted with the #TataGroup as the main sponsor of the inaugural #WPL. With their support, we are convinced that we can take women’s cricket to the next level. @BCCI @BCCIWomen @wplt20 pic.twitter.com/L05vXeDx1j
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) February 21, 2023
A BCCI source told PTI that Tata has secured the rights for five years. The Indian multinational conglomerate had replaced Vivo as the title sponsor for the Indian Premier League last year. The first edition will be played in Mumbai at two venues: Brabourne Stadium and DY Patil Stadium.
The sale of media rights had brought the BCCI Rs 951 crore and the five teams were sold for Rs 4700 crore. At Rs 3.40 crore, Indian opener Smriti Mandhana was the most expensive buy at the auction held earlier this month.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has recently announced the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2023 schedule following the conclusion of the Women’s Premier League auction in Mumbai. In the inaugural edition, five teams – Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore & UP Warriorz gave their pockets to acquire some of the best talents in the international and domestic circuit.
Smriti Mandhana from India was the best buy as she was sold to Royal Challengers Bangalore for a whopping INR 3.40 Crore. Team India Captain Harmanpreet Kaur was sold to Mumbai Indians for INR 1.80 Crore while the rest of the stars from India and around the world made the cut in one of the five franchises.
Among the foreign players, Australian all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner and England all-rounder Natalie Sciver were the best signings as they were sold to Gujarat Giants and Mumbai Indians for INR 3.20 Crore respectively. Among the India U19 stars, ICC U19 T20 World Cup winning captain, Shafali Verma was the best buy, sold to Delhi Capitals for INR 2 Crore.
In its first season, the Women’s Premier League will host a total of 20 league matches and 2 Playoff matches played over 23 days.
The league kicks off on March 4 at DY Patil Stadium with a blockbuster match between Gujarat Giants and Mumbai Indians.
On Sunday, March 5, 2023, the WPL will have its first double-header day with Royal Challengers Bangalore taking on Delhi Capitals at Brabourne Stadium, CCI. UP Warriorz will play their first game of the league against Gujarat Giants at DY Patil Stadium in the evening.
There are 4 double headers and the first game starts at 3:30 PM IST. All evening games start at 7:30 PM IST.
A total of 11 matches will be held at DY Patil Stadium and Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.
The final match of the league stage will be played between UP Warriorz and Delhi Capitals on March 21 at Brabourne Stadium, CCI.
The Eliminator will be played on March 24 at DY Patil Stadium.
The 2023 Women’s Premier League Final will be played at Brabourne Stadium on March 26.
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