The upcoming second edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL 2024) is set to take place from February 22 to March 17, according to Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah. Notably, the tournament will be organized in a single state this time, a decision made with logistical considerations in mind.
Shah emphasized the importance of logistics, stating, “The tournament will start in February, and in terms of the venues, we will hold it in one state. For us, logistics is very important for us this time around. Next time, we will figure it out.”
While there were earlier speculations about Mumbai and Bengaluru being potential host cities, Shah did not disclose the specific location. He mentioned, “We have Bengaluru, Uttar Pradesh. There are so many places where we can host matches. In Gujarat also, we can do it in Ahmedabad, Rajkot and in Vadodara after a few years.”
Maharashtra, with three venues in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai and one in Pune, seems to be a frontrunner for hosting the games. However, Shah clarified that the decision would be made collaboratively with the franchises. “This is basically a joint call between the franchise and the BCCI. We will sit together and decide…”
Expressing optimism about the upcoming edition of WPL, Shah highlighted the success of uncapped Indian players in the recent auction. “This time, the WPL will be even more successful. The way two uncapped Indian players earned big, it shows how the franchises have gone for Indian players…” he remarked.
Shah also provided insights into the Indian Premier League (IPL) schedule, revealing that the tournament is scheduled to commence in the last week of March and conclude in late May. The announcement sets the stage for an exciting cricket season, with both WPL and IPL capturing the attention of fans and players alike.