The Women’s Premier League (WPL) is all set to kick off its second edition with a grand opening ceremony at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday, February 23, 2024. Cricket enthusiasts and Bollywood fans alike are eagerly awaiting this star-studded event, dubbed “Cricket ka Queendom.”
Tournament Overview
- The WPL 2024 runs from February 23 to March 17, 2024.
- It features 22 matches, including round-robin games, an eliminator, and the championship match.
- Modeled after the Indian Premier League (IPL), the WPL is the world’s biggest T20 franchise competition for women.
Participating Teams of WPL 2024
The following five teams will battle it out in the WPL 2024:
- Mumbai Indians Women: The defending champions led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur have retained star players like Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amelia Kerr, and Hayley Matthews.
- Delhi Capitals Women: Topped last year’s group and are led by Australia legend Meg Lanning.
- Gujarat Giants: Rebuilding after releasing 11 players.
- Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Women: Boasting India superstar Smriti Mandhana and Australia’s Ellyse Perry.
- UP Warriorz: Reached the eliminator last year and strengthened their batting with Danni Wyatt.
Format and Fixtures
- Each team plays the other four twice.
- The top team in the group advances directly to the final.
- The second and third-placed teams face off in an eliminator on Friday, March 15.
- The eliminator winner progresses to the final on Sunday, March 17.
Match Schedule and Venues
- A total of 22 matches will be played in the second season of WPL.
- All matches until March 4 will be held at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
- The Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi will host the remaining matches, including the final of WPL 2024 on March 17.
The Battle on the Field
- Following the opening ceremony, the WPL 2024 season-opener will witness a clash between the defending champions, Mumbai Indians, led by Indian T20 cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur, and last year’s finalists, Delhi Capitals.
- The Gujarat Giants, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and UP Warriorz complete the lineup, making this T20 cricket tournament a thrilling spectacle.
England Players in the Mix
- The WPL coincides with England’s white-ball tour of New Zealand.
- Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Alice Capsey, and Danni Wyatt will miss the first three T20s in New Zealand due to the overlap.
- Kate Cross joins RCB for the first time.
- Issy Wong represents Mumbai after being left out of the New Zealand tour.
Favorites of WPL 2024
- Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals are the frontrunners.
- Mumbai’s all-round talents and Delhi’s strong squad make them the teams to watch.
- UP Warriorz, with Ecclestone and Ash Gardner, pose a formidable spin attack.
- RCB aims for redemption after a lackluster 2023.
- Gujarat Giants look to rebuild.
Who’s Performing in WPL 2024?
- Shah Rukh Khan, the Badshah of Bollywood, will grace the 32,000-capacity stadium with his charismatic presence. Fondly known as King Khan or SRK, he not only rules the silver screen but also owns the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League.
- Joining SRK are other Bollywood heartthrobs known for their dance moves:
- Kartik Aaryan: The charming actor who has captured hearts with his performances in movies like “Pyaar Ka Punchnama” and “Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety.”
- Sidharth Malhotra: The dashing Yodha actor.
- Tiger Shroff: Known for his high-flying action sequences and killer dance moves.
- Varun Dhawan: The versatile actor who can groove with the best of them.
Where to Watch
- Catch the live streaming of the Women’s Premier League 2024 on JioCinema.
- For those glued to their TV screens, Sports18 and Sports18 HD channels will telecast WPL 2024 in India.
Get ready for a cricketing extravaganza that blends sportsmanship with Bollywood glamour! 🏏✨
