Women's Premier League: Tournament will be 'growth catalyst' in women's football - Jon Lewis

It was highly anticipated, a women's edition of the Indian Men's Premier League - the biggest franchise T20 competition in the world.
The tournament culminated on Sunday with the Mumbai Indians beating the Delhi Capitals to claim the inaugural title.In the country with the largest cricket fanbase in the world, the WPL was always likely to be a success.
But it became clear that this was a tournament like no other when the player auction sent shockwaves through team camps amid the Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa.
The money on offer - contracts worth £6million for the five teams - was huge for women's sport and players were catapulted into the public consciousness like never before before.
BBC World Service has been in Mumbai talking to players and coaches to gauge their thoughts on the first tournament and what it could mean for the global game.
"Hopefully this is just the start "
Australia captain Meg Lanning has won it all - numerous T20 World Cups, a 50+ title and the Olympics. Commonwealth.
It's no surprise that she's one of the most sought after players, mainly for her leadership, and Delhi reached the final with the Australian at the helm.
"It became all which I was looking forward to," Lanning told the BBC Stumped podcast.
"The WPL is at another level. a cool all-encompassing experience. hopefully this is just the beginning and that there are bigger and more exciting things to come.
For a player of Lanning's stature, that's saying a lot.
The IPL has grown its fanbase to the point where thousands of stadiums are filling up just for practice sessions - and while the WPL still has some way to go to get there, it starts strong.
Naturally, three franchises have been helped by being owned by male IPL teams - Delhi Capitals , Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore - but the stadiums were filled with colorful jerseys and flags.
When the England fashion designer Issy Wong took his hat-trick in the qualifier against UP Warriorz, the roar of joy left Mumbai coach Charlotte Edwards speechless.
"I've never experienced anything like this in my life, the ground just broke," said the former England captain.
"I try to stay away from social networks but I saw clips and I heard the noise...

Sports Mar 28, 2023 0 106 Add to Reading List

Women's Premier League: Tournament will be 'growth catalyst' in women's football - Jon Lewis

Mumbai Indians women team celebrate with WPL trophy

It was highly anticipated, a women's edition of the Indian Men's Premier League - the biggest franchise T20 competition in the world.

The tournament culminated on Sunday with the Mumbai Indians beating the Delhi Capitals to claim the inaugural title.In the country with the largest cricket fanbase in the world, the WPL was always likely to be a success.

But it became clear that this was a tournament like no other when the player auction sent shockwaves through team camps amid the Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa.

The money on offer - contracts worth £6million for the five teams - was huge for women's sport and players were catapulted into the public consciousness like never before before.

BBC World Service has been in Mumbai talking to players and coaches to gauge their thoughts on the first tournament and what it could mean for the global game.

"Hopefully this is just the start "

Australia captain Meg Lanning has won it all - numerous T20 World Cups, a 50+ title and the Olympics. Commonwealth.

It's no surprise that she's one of the most sought after players, mainly for her leadership, and Delhi reached the final with the Australian at the helm.

"It became all which I was looking forward to," Lanning told the BBC Stumped podcast.

"The WPL is at another level. a cool all-encompassing experience. hopefully this is just the beginning and that there are bigger and more exciting things to come.

For a player of Lanning's stature, that's saying a lot.

The IPL has grown its fanbase to the point where thousands of stadiums are filling up just for practice sessions - and while the WPL still has some way to go to get there, it starts strong.

Naturally, three franchises have been helped by being owned by male IPL teams - Delhi Capitals , Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore - but the stadiums were filled with colorful jerseys and flags.

When the England fashion designer Issy Wong took his hat-trick in the qualifier against UP Warriorz, the roar of joy left Mumbai coach Charlotte Edwards speechless.

"I've never experienced anything like this in my life, the ground just broke," said the former England captain.

"I try to stay away from social networks but I saw clips and I heard the noise...