BCCI to allow five overseas players in the inaugural edition of Women's IPL

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will allow five foreign players in the playing XI of the inaugural edition of the Women’s IPL. As per reports, BCCI also stated that at least one cricketer from an associate nation is allowed in the XI. Unlike the IPL rules, where four overseas players are allowed, the 5th player has to be from an associate nation. As mentioned by one of the sources from a potential new franchise.

“The teams will have the option of fielding five foreign players as long as the fifth player is from an Associate nation,” a source was quoted as saying to Cricbuzz.

While there hasn’t been confirmation of the starting date of the WIPL. It is expected to commence on March 4 and is likely to conclude on 26th March.

Also Read: IND vs NZ: IND wins by 12 runs!

BCCI sets player purse for the five-year circle

BCCI has also set INR 12 crore as the salary cap for the Women’s Indian Premier League (WIPL) which will launch next month. The salary cap will continue to increase throughout the course of five years. Will have an annual increment of INR 1.5 crore. By the end of the five-year cycle, the cap will increase to INR 18 crore. Unlike the opening edition of the IPL, there is no slot for icon players in the five-franchise tournament.

Reports in Cricbuzz further mentioned that the potential participants were told by the BCCI on Thursday, January 19. That the player’s purse will start with INR 12 Cr in 2023, will increase to INR 13.5 Cr in 2024. INR 16.5 crore in 2026 and eventually INR 18 crore in the final year of the cycle in 2027. This has been the guideline set for the first five years. While five teams will be part of the WIPL in the first three years, it will increase to six teams in the last two years of the cycle.