‘WPL Will Transform Women’s Cricket Globally’, Feels IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal

The much-awaited Women’s Premier League (WPL) is all set to begin from March 4 in Mumbai, much to the excitement of women cricketers as well as BCCI officials.

It is believed that WPL will change the lives of hundreds of women cricketers, both in India and abroad.

In an auction held earlier this year, five franchises – Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Gujarat Giants, UP Warriors and Mumbai Indians – were sold for a total of Rs 4,699.99 crore.

In the players auction that followed, Indian opener Smriti Mandhana was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore for Rs 3.40 crore, the highest price.

So, is WPL set to change the face of women’s cricket in the country? IPL chairman Dhumal shared his thoughts on the inaugural tournament.

Q: You have been the BCCI treasurer and now you are the IPL chairman. How different are the two roles?

Dhumal: Nothing is different… Both the roles demand the dissemination of cricket, looking after the domestic and international circuit and ensuring that India continues to grow as a global powerhouse of cricket.

Q: After a long wait the Women’s Premier League is finally here. What are your expectations from the league?

Dhumal: We have seen how IPL has changed cricket not only in India but globally. It has made cricket more interesting and the reach has increased manifold. With more Test matches now giving results, you rarely see a Test ending in a draw.

15-20 years back no one would have thought that a team would score more than 300-400 runs or someone would score 200 runs in an ODI and it is happening at regular intervals. It took so many years for the great cricketer Sachin Tendulkar to score a double century in an ODI.

He was the first player to score a double century in ODIs and it was great news at the time. After this, different players have scored so many double centuries. It’s amazing how cricket has changed after IPL.

I am sure the same will happen with WPL in terms of giving opportunities to women cricketers. This is a very welcome change that will transform women’s cricket globally.

Q: Are you satisfied with the amount BCCI got by selling five teams for WPL?

Dhumal: Look, the question is not whether we are satisfied or not. Our aim is to ensure that we give the best platform to the cricketers. WPL has been very well received by women cricketers globally.

In such a situation, women cricketers are going to benefit a lot. It has also been very well received by other women’s cricket boards. It would change how the game viewed women cricketers in India and globally.

Question: IPL is also starting next month. For the first time in history, IPL will have two different broadcasters. As the chairman of IPL, how do you look at it and what is in store for the fans?

Dhumal: I think fans will always be king. It is for the fans that we are there. So the way Disney has collaborated with cricket globally, we are very proud of our association with them and Jio. Viacom is emerging as the new kid on the block as far as sports broadcasting is concerned. Now it has joined hands with IPL and I am sure it will do very well. Now that we are working on 4K broadcast, it will be a special addition for the upcoming IPL.

IANS: Apart from the fans at home, the fans in the stadium also need a better experience, especially in terms of facilities. What is the BCCI’s plan on that count?

Dhumal: We are working with all the franchises and state cricket associations to host the IPL, and we ensure that we keep improving the fan experience. Due to Kovid, we could not conduct IPL matches at all places in the last few years. This is the first season post Covid when we will organize matches in home and away format and I am sure the fans will enjoy it.

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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)