The women’s Premier League (WPL) retention deadline has finally come as five teams have announced their retained and released players ahead of the mini-auction for the WPL 2025.

Thursday (November) was the extended deadline for the WPL teams to retain their players for the third season of the tournament. The defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru released seven players, and Gujarat Giants released six players. 

The inaugural WPL champions Mumbai Indians, first two editions runners-up Delhi Capitals, and UP Warriorz released four players each.

SEE ALSO: GMR Group to manage Delhi Capitals in IPL, JSW to manage the women’s team in WPL

Women's T20 World Cup winning member released

Gujarat Giants released the senior New Zealand pacer Lea Tahuhu, who was a crucial member of New Zealand’s recent trophy success in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. New Zealand Women’s leading WODI wicket-taker took three wickets against India during the group stage of the tournament.   

Among the Indian cricketers, Veda Krishnamurthy and Sneh Rana are the big names released from Gujarat Giants.  

RCB released Heather Knight and Nadine de Klerk

Talking about prominent names released by other teams, Delhi Capitals released Poonam Yadav, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru released English star Heather Knight and South African all-rounder Nadine de Klerk. 

Although Knight struggled in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, she is firing in the ongoing Women’s Big Bash League in Australia with 135 runs in three innings (average 67.50) with a strike rate of 175.32. In this tournament, she has scored 48, 28, and 58 runs, respectively. 

Also, UP Warriorz already surprised everyone after trading out the English star Danni Wyatt-Hodge to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. 

Gujarat Giants (Available Purse: INR 4.40 crores)

Released: Sneh Rana, Kathryn Bryce, Trisha Poojitha, Veda Krishnamurthy, Tarannum Pathan, Lea Tahuhu

Retained: Beth Mooney (Captain), Laura Wolvaardt, Phoebe Litchfield, Ash Gardner, Harleen Deol, Dayalan Hemalatha, Tanuja Kanwer, Mannat Kashyap, Meghna Singh, Shabnam Shakil, Bharti Fulmali, Kashvee Gautam, Priya Mishra, Sayali Satghare

UP Warriorz (Available Purse: INR 3.90 crores)

Released: Laxmi Yadav, Parshavi Chopra, S Yashasri, Lauren Bell

Retained: Alyssa Healy (Captain), Kiran Navgire, Shweta Sehrawat, Deepti Sharma, Chamari Athapaththu, Grace Harris, Sophie Ecclestone, Tahlia McGrath, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Saima Thakor, Anjali Sarvani, Gouher Sultana, Poonam Khemnar, Uma Chetry, Vrinda Dinesh

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Available Purse: INR 3.25 crores)

Released: Heather Knight, Disha Kasat, Indrani Roy, Nadine de Klerk, Shubha Satheesh, Shraddha Pokarkar, Simran Bahadur

Retained: Smriti Mandhana (Captain), Sabbineni Meghana, Richa Ghosh, Ellyse Perry, Georgia Wareham, Shreyanka Patil, Asha Sobhana, Sophie Devine, Renuka Singh, Sophie Molineux, Ekta Bisht, Kate Cross, Kanika Ahuja, Danni Wyatt-Hodge (Traded In)

Mumbai Indians (Available Purse: INR 2.65 crores)

Released: Priyanka Bala, Humairaa Kaazi, Fatima Jadder, Isabelle Wong

Retained: Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Yastika Bhatia, Amelia Kerr, Chloe Tryon, Hayley Matthews, Jintimani Kalita, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Pooja Vastrakar, Sajeevan Sajana, Shabnim Ismail, Saika Ishaque, Amanjot Kaur, Amandeep Kaur, Keerthana

Delhi Capitals (Available Purse: INR 2.50 crores)

Released: Laura Harris, Ashwani Kumari, Poonam Yadav, Aparna Mondal

Retained: Meg Lanning (Captain), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Taniya Bhatia, Alice Capsey, Annabel Sutherland, Marizanne Kapp, Radha Yadav, Shikha Pandey, Arundhati Reddy, Jess Jonassen, Titas Sadhu, Minnu Mani, Sneha Deepthi

The ICC has released the latest Future Tours Programme (FTP) for women's cricket for the 2025-29 cycle, bringing several key updates aimed at enhancing the global profile of the sport. Among the highlights are dedicated windows for three major T20 leagues: the Women's Premier League (WPL) in January-February, The Hundred in August, and the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) in November. This strategic scheduling ensures uninterrupted participation of international stars, thereby heightening the competition’s appeal and fan engagement across the globe.

ICC unveils new women's FTP with separate windows for WPL, Hundred, and WBBL

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has also shifted the WPL window to January-February from 2026. This adjustment aligns with Cricket Australia's (CA) decision to reschedule its marquee international home fixtures, previously held in mid-January, to a February-March window. The 2025 Women’s Ashes, set to begin in January, will be Australia’s last home series during this time slot until at least 2029. Following the WPL in 2026, Australia is set to host India for a highly anticipated tour, featuring one Test, three ODIs, and three T20Is.

See Also: KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel head to Australia early for crucial preparation ahead of Test

ICC Women's Championship expanded and new T20 Champions Trophy announced

In a bid to expand the reach of women's cricket, the ICC Women's Championship will now include 11 teams, with Zimbabwe joining as the latest addition. This expansion follows the recent inclusion of Bangladesh and Ireland, underscoring the ICC’s commitment to growing the women’s game. With Zimbabwe’s addition, every Full Member of the ICC, except Afghanistan, will now field a team in the ODI Championship. The current cycle will culminate in the 2025 ODI World Cup in India, promising a highly competitive format with new entrants.

The ICC also introduced a T20 Champions Trophy, set to be hosted by Sri Lanka in 2027. This event is part of ICC’s strategy to have at least one global women’s tournament every year, with the Champions Trophy joining an already busy schedule of major events. In 2028, fans can look forward to the inclusion of cricket in the Los Angeles Olympics (August) and the T20 World Cup (September), which will take place within a 14-month period, offering fans an action-packed calendar of top-level women’s cricket.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has extended the Women’s Premier League (WPL) retention deadline. 

Initially, the WPL retention deadline was on October 15. However, the BCCI has now decided to extend the retention deadline to November 7. 

Five teams are participating in the WPL. These teams are Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and UP Warriorz. 

SEE ALSO: Disappointed Mithali Raj calls for India Women's captaincy change

Each WPL team has an INR 15 crore purse

While each team can have an 18-member squad, a maximum of six players can be overseas. For the WPL 2025, the BCCI will organise a mini-auction. The WPL season one (WPL 2023) started with an INR 12 crore purse, while it was increased to 13.5 crore for the second or last season. For the WPL 2025, the purse value will be INR 15 crore.

During the WPL retention deadline, each team can retain and release any number of players. After the retention deadline, the BCCI will organise a mini-auction. However, the details of the WPL 2025 mini-auction, including the date of the auction, haven’t been confirmed yet. 

Although the BCCI hasn’t confirmed the timeline for the WPL 2025 tournament, it is expected to be played as usual in the February-March window. While Mumbai (in two venues) hosted the complete inaugural edition of the WPL (WPL 2023), Bengaluru and Delhi hosted the WPL 2024. The BCCI hasn’t also clarified the WPL 2025 venues yet. 

WPL future

Talking about the future of the WPL, just like the Indian Premier League (IPL), the WPL may experience a mega auction after completing three editions. It means that we can see a mega auction for the WPL 2026. In this case, we can experience a special retention policy before any mega auction in the WPL, just like the IPL. 

According to the recent Cricbuzz report, the WPL 2026 can also experience the addition of a new team. 

India has named a 16-player squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against Bangladesh. Among the fresh faces are Asha Sobhana and Sajana Sajeevan, who have earned their spots based on their outstanding performances in the 2024 Women’s Premier League (WPL).

Rising stars from the Women’s Premier League

Sobhana made history in the WPL by becoming the first Indian cricketer to take a five-wicket haul, achieving figures of 5/22 against UP Warriorz. With 12 wickets in 10 matches, she ended up as the joint second-highest wicket-taker in the league, alongside Australian star Sophie Molineux.

Sajeevan made a splash in her debut game in the WPL when she hit a six off the last ball to secure victory for her Mumbai Indians team against Delhi Capitals. Batting lower down the order, Sajeevan scored 87 runs at an impressive strike rate of 158.18, which was the second-best in the tournament.

Leadership and preparation for the T20 World Cup in on priority

The squad, led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, will kick off the series on 28 April, with all matches scheduled to take place in Sylhet. This series holds significant importance for both teams as they gear up for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, slated to be held later this year in Bangladesh.

See Also: IPL 2024: Travis Head smashes 100 off 39 against RCB; Internet buzzes with excitement

India squad update: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhan, Shafali Verma, Dayalan Hemalatha, Sajana Sajeevan, Richa Ghosh (wk), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Radha Yadav, Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Amanjot Kaur, Shreyanka Patil, Saika Ishaque, Asha Sobhana, Renuka Singh Thakur, Titas Sadhu.

It was a momentous night for Shreyanka Patil, the rising star of RCB, as she found herself in the midst of a surreal ‘Fan Girl’ moment with none other than her childhood idol, Virat Kohli. Having already shone brightly during RCB’s triumph in the WPL on Sunday, Patil’s encounter with Kohli added another unforgettable chapter to her journey.

Unforgettable moment for Shreyanka

The 21-year-old off-spinner, whose stellar performances in the eliminator and final had earned her the prestigious ‘Purple Cap’, couldn’t contain her excitement as she shared her experience on social media. She expressed her awe and gratitude as Kohli not only acknowledged her presence but also praised her bowling skills.

“Started watching cricket cos of him. Grew up dreaming to be like him. And last night, had the moment of my life,” Patil wrote, capturing the essence of her emotions in a heartfelt post alongside a picture with Kohli from the RCB ‘Unbox’ event.

The fact that her childhood hero knew her name left Patil in a state of disbelief, as she continued to cherish the surreal feeling of the encounter.

Her remarkable journey as a star

Patil’s journey to this momentous occasion has been nothing short of remarkable. Picked up by RCB during the inaugural WPL auctions last year, she proved her mettle with six crucial wickets in seven matches, emerging as a standout performer for her team. Her exceptional skills also caught the attention of selectors, earning her a spot in the Indian squad for the home T20 series against England in December.

See Also: Suresh Raina speaks about Dhoni’s retirement

Since making her national team debut, Patil has continued to shine, overcoming injuries and challenges along the way to establish herself as a promising talent in Indian cricket. With appearances in both ODIs and T20Is for India, she has already made a mark with her impressive performances, bagging four wickets in ODIs and eight in T20Is.

As Patil’s journey unfolds, her encounter with Kohli serves as a testament to her hard work, dedication, and the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. With each step forward, she continues to inspire and carve her path in the world of cricket, leaving a lasting impression on fans and fellow players alike.

With the completion of two successful seasons of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), cricket enthusiasts worldwide celebrate the remarkable progress of women’s cricket. The thrilling matches, electrifying sixes, and unwavering enthusiasm displayed by both players and fans alike signify a significant milestone in the journey of women’s cricket.

Growth of Women’s Cricket

The recent surge in popularity of women’s cricket reflects a global shift in attitudes towards the sport. The unprecedented support and fervor witnessed during WPL matches underscore the growing recognition and acceptance of women’s cricket, not only in India but across the world.

See Also: IPL 2024: Chennai Super Kings best playing XI and impact player strategies

Controversial Statements by N. Srinivasan

Amidst the triumphs of women’s cricket, controversial remarks by former BCCI president Mr. N. Srinivasan cast a shadow over the progress. His statement, expressing opposition to women’s cricket and dismissing its relevance, sparked outrage and condemnation from various quarters.

N Srinivasan stated, “If I had my way, I wouldn’t let women’s cricket happen. Women have no business playing cricket. We are only doing this because it is an ICC rule.”

Challenges in BCCI

Diana Edulji, a former Indian women cricketer, echoed sentiments of discontent within the BCCI, labeling it a “male chauvinist organization.” Her remarks shed light on the entrenched resistance and reluctance within the BCCI towards embracing women’s cricket as a legitimate and integral part of the sport.

“I’ve always been a BCCI basher, right from the day women’s cricket came into the BCCI fold in 2006. BCCI is a very male chauvinist organisation. They never wanted women to dictate terms or get into this thing. I was very vocal right from my playing days, from when I started,” she said. “Even now, I would still say that it is not yet well accepted within BCCI that women’s cricket is doing well. It is very difficult for them (some BCCI members) to accept the fact that this team has done very well,” the report quoted Edulji to Indian Express.

Positive changes in BCCI

Despite the challenges, there have been significant strides towards gender equality and inclusivity within the BCCI. The decision to pay both male and female cricketers equal match fees represents a crucial step towards recognizing and valuing the contributions of women athletes.

Impact of Government Support

The support extended by the Indian government has played a pivotal role in fostering the growth of women’s cricket. Successful initiatives such as the Women’s Premier League and the hosting of domestic women’s cricket matches underscore the commitment towards empowering women athletes and providing them with equitable opportunities.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) finally broke the jinx. It lifted its maiden trophy in the 2024 Women’s Premier League (WPL) by convincingly defeating Delhi Capitals by eight wickets in the final held in New Delhi. Smriti Mandhana-led side showcased exceptional performance, marking a historic moment for their franchise.

Strong start from Shafali Verma

Shafali Verma’s aggressive onslaught on the RCB bowlers, coupled with Meg Lanning’s steady support from the other end, propelled Delhi Capitals to a solid start in the Women’s Premier League summit clash. Shafali’s aggressive batting prowess enabled Delhi Capitals to amass 61 runs in the first six overs, setting a formidable target for RCB.

See Also: Kohli’s call for RCB Women after the team wins maiden trophy

Comparison with Rohit Sharma’s ODI World Cup Final Knock

Shafali’s aggressive batting approach in the WPL final drew parallels with the memorable innings played by Indian skipper Rohit Sharma in the ODI World Cup 2023 final against Australia. Like Sharma’s impactful knock, Shafali’s single-handley lifted her team’s score in the powerplay like a lone warrior.

After this, people found similarities between Indian skipper Rohit Sharma’s knock in the ODI World Cup final against Australia and Shafali’s knock in the WPL final against RCB. Both provided blistering starts to their team, but after that, their team collapsed like a deck of cards, irrespective of being the best team throughout the tournament.

Sophie Molineux’s Impactful Bowling Spell

Sophie Molineux turned the tide in RCB’s favor by claiming three crucial wickets in a single over. The dismissals of Shafali Verma, Jemimah, and Capsey put Delhi Capitals on the backfoot, and despite their efforts, they faltered and were eventually bowled out for 113 runs.

Collapse of Delhi Capitals

Delhi Capitals’ batting line-up crumbled under pressure after losing key wickets, failing to stabilize their innings and post a competitive total. The impressive display of bowling by RCB’s bowlers, led by Molineux, dismantled Delhi’s batting order and restricted them to a modest score.

Royal Challengers Bangalore Women asserted their dominance right from the start of the final match. Openers Smriti Mandhana and Sophie Devine provided a steady start in the powerplay, laying the foundation for RCB’s successful run chase. Despite losing early wickets, RCB’s middle order, led by Ellyse Perry and Richa Ghosh, ensured a comfortable victory for the team.

Special Congratulation From Virat Kohli

Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli added to the celebratory mood by joining RCB women’s skipper Smriti Mandhana via video call to extend his congratulations on their triumphant win in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) title.

On the other hand, Delhi Capitals Women encountered a batting collapse as they struggled to forge partnerships and capitalize on their initial momentum. Despite promising starts from the likes of Meg Lanning and Shefali Verma, Delhi Capitals Women lost wickets at regular intervals, failing to set a challenging target for their opponents.

See Also: WPL 2024: Orange and Purple cap winners, check full list

RCB Women’s Bowling Brilliance

RCB Women’s bowlers showcased exceptional skill and precision, spearheaded by Sophie Molineux, Shreyanka Patil, and Sobhana Asha. The bowling unit exerted relentless pressure on the Delhi Capitals Women’s batting lineup, consistently picking up crucial wickets to stifle their opponents’ scoring rate and restrict them to a modest total.

In a tale of heartbreak for Delhi Capitals Women, they suffered their second consecutive loss in the WPL final. Despite their commendable performances throughout the season, Delhi Capitals Women faltered at the final hurdle, missing out on clinching the coveted title once again.

Royal Challengers Bangalore Women etched their names in the annals of cricket history by securing their maiden title in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), emerging victorious over Delhi Capitals Women in a thrilling final encounter by eight wickets. This momentous victory marked a significant milestone for RCB Women, while it brought disappointment to the Delhi Capitals Women’s camp for the second consecutive season.

Final Match Summary: RCB vs. DC

In the much-anticipated final clash between Royal Challengers Bangalore Women and Delhi Capitals Women, RCB Women exhibited exceptional skills in batting and bowling. After restricting Delhi Capitals Women to a modest total of 113 runs, RCB Women quickly chased down the target, reaching 115/2 in just 19.3 overs.

See Also: Netizens troll Kohli after RCB women win WPL

Top Performers of the Season

Several players showcased outstanding performances throughout the WPL 2024 season, vying for the prestigious Orange and Purple Caps, awarded to the highest run-scorer and highest wicket-taker, respectively.

Orange Cap Winner: Ellyse Perry

The coveted Orange Cap was claimed by the versatile all-rounder of Royal Challengers Bangalore, Ellyse Perry. Perry exhibited exemplary batting prowess, accumulating 347 runs in nine matches at an impressive average of 69.40. Her consistent performances were pivotal in RCB Women’s journey to the title.

Purple Cap Winner: Shreyanka Patil

Shreyanka Patil emerged as the standout performer in the bowling department, clinching the Purple Cap for her exceptional bowling exploits throughout the WPL 2024 season. Patil’s remarkable four-wicket haul in the final match against Delhi Capitals Women was crucial in restricting the opposition to a modest total of 113 runs. She finished the season with an impressive tally of 13 wickets in eight matches, showcasing her bowling prowess and contributing significantly to RCB Women’s success.

Royal Challengers Bangalore Women scripted history by clinching their first-ever title in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), defeating Delhi Capitals Women in a thrilling final by eight wickets. This victory marked a significant milestone for RCB Women, while Delhi Capitals Women faced disappointment for the second consecutive season.

RCB’s First Title Win in WPL

Royal Challengers Bangalore Women displayed exceptional skill and determination in a highly anticipated final showdown, securing their maiden title in the WPL. The team’s victory showcased their resilience and ability to perform under pressure, signaling a new era of success for RCB Women in the league.

See Also: Netizens troll Kohli after RCB women win WPL

DC’s Loss in Consecutive WPL Finals

On the other hand, Delhi Capitals Women endured heartbreak again as they suffered their second consecutive loss in the WPL final. Despite their strong performances throughout the season, Delhi Capitals Women faltered in the final hurdle, unable to claim the coveted title.

Match Summary: RCB-W vs. DC-W Final

In the final match between Royal Challengers Bangalore Women and Delhi Capitals Women, RCB Women displayed exceptional batting and bowling prowess to outclass their opponents. After bundling out Delhi Capitals Women for 113 runs, RCB quickly chased down the target, reaching 115/2 in 19.3 overs.

RCB’s Dominance in the Final

Royal Challengers Bangalore Women asserted their dominance right from the start of the final match. Openers Smriti Mandhana and Sophie Devine provided a steady start in the powerplay, laying the foundation for RCB’s successful run chase. Despite losing early wickets, RCB’s middle order, led by Ellyse Perry and Richa Ghosh, ensured a comfortable victory for the team.

RCB Women Skipper In Post Match Presentation

Smriti said, “For RCB, it’s a lot more. I’m not the only one who won the trophy, the team has won the trophy. I’m not the person to talk about what I feel. This is in top five maybe. Obviously a World Cup would top it. Have a message for the fans – the most loyal fanbase. One statement that always comes up is Ee Sala Cup Namde. Now it’s Ee Sala Cup Namdu. Kannada is not my first language but it was important to say it for the fans.”

DC’s Batting Collapse

Delhi Capitals Women faced a batting collapse as they struggled to build partnerships and capitalize on their early momentum. Despite solid starts from Meg Lanning and Shefali Verma, Delhi Capitals Women lost wickets regularly, failing to post a competitive total on the board.

RCB’s Clinical Bowling Performance

Royal Challengers Bangalore Women’s bowlers delivered a clinical performance led by Sophie Molineux, Shreyanka Patil, and Sobhana Asha. The bowlers maintained pressure on the Delhi Capitals Women’s batting lineup, picking up crucial wickets at crucial junctures to restrict their opponents to a modest total.