Ashish Ranjan
The inaugural WPL (Women’s Premier League) 2023 season was an immediate success. The WPL catapulted the popularity of women’s cricket to an all-time peak, garnering massive support from cricket enthusiasts around the world.
Given the success of the WPL, it is not implausible that many other nations will contemplate establishing their own franchise T20 leagues for women in addition to the ones that already exist. Cricket Australia, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are reportedly considering the launch of the Women’s Champions League in 2024, as similar reports have surfaced in recent weeks.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that CA chief executive and chairman Nick Hockley and Mike Baird met with the executives of the BCCI and the ECB during the final of the World Test Championship and the Lord’s Ashes Test, as well as at the recent ICC conference in South Africa.
Given that the Women’s Premier League generates significant revenue through broadcasting deals and sponsors, the Women’s Champions League intends to do the same now that it is established. The tournament is anticipated to feature teams from the WPL, Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), and Women’s Hundred, with some of the world’s finest players competing against one another.
Moreover, if the league is indeed proclaimed, it is anticipated that the revenue will be distributed among the participating nations. The launch will resemble that of the Men’s Champions League, which began immediately after the inaugural IPL season.
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However, the launch of the women’s edition of the tournament is viewed as the most logical step for the cricket economy, as it would help the boards leverage on the WPL’s tremendous success. In addition to the three T20 divisions, other teams from other leagues could participate. However, for the time being, a more focused approach and expansion are being prioritized.
