IPL Franchise Owners Eye Expansion into Women’s Premier League (WPL)
The Growing Influence of the Women’s Premier League
Women’s cricket has witnessed a meteoric rise in stature over the last few years, a trajectory that accelerated significantly since the inception of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in 2023. This momentum was further bolstered by India’s historic World Cup victory on home soil in 2025—a watershed moment for the sport that captivated the nation and brought unprecedented visibility to the women’s game. As the domestic circuit continues to produce a steady stream of elite talent, the conversation surrounding the expansion of the five-team tournament has moved from speculative whispers to concrete interest from major stakeholders.
IPL Stakeholders Signal Intent
Among those observing the league’s rapid ascent is Indian businessman Mohit Burman. As the holder of a 48 percent stake in the Punjab Kings, Burman has become the latest high-profile figure to express an open desire to integrate into the women’s league. His perspective underscores a growing trend where IPL franchise owners look toward the WPL as a strategic long-term investment rather than merely an experimental venture.
Reflecting on the progress made by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Burman noted the effectiveness of the platform provided to female cricketers. In a statement, he emphasized, “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.” He further clarified that previous hesitance from certain groups should not be misconstrued as a lack of belief in the sport’s viability, but rather a matter of timing and strategic alignment. “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 BCCI’s Stance on Expansion
While the appetite for new teams is growing, the BCCI remains measured in its approach. Currently, the WPL features five competitive sides, with three of the existing franchises already backed by the same ownership groups as their IPL counterparts. The league has seen dominant performances from the Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who have secured two titles each, alongside the Delhi Capitals, who have remained a consistent force by reaching every final since the tournament’s inception.
Despite the vocal interest from figures like Burman, the official roadmap for the league prioritizes stability. IPL chairman Arun Dhumal has previously indicated that the board is not rushing into expansion. “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 stated. The focus remains on perfecting the current model before inviting new entrants to the fold.
WPL as a Catalyst for National Success
The impact of the WPL extends beyond commercial interest; it serves as a crucial pipeline for the Indian national team. Historically, India has been a top-tier contender in ICC events, frequently reaching the knockout stages. However, the introduction of professional leagues like the WPL provides players with the same level of domestic grooming that has propelled teams like Australia to global dominance for years through the WBBL.
By hosting high-quality cricket and encouraging the integration of overseas players, the WPL has accelerated the development of younger talent. The benefits were clearly visible in the recent 2025 World Cup, where the Indian squad demonstrated remarkable composure in crunch moments—a trait many players attribute directly to the experience gained in the WPL environment. As the global landscape of women’s cricket evolves, with other nations like Bangladesh preparing to launch their own versions of the league, the WPL stands as a cornerstone of the modern cricketing ecosystem, proving that the investment is already paying dividends for the sport’s future.
