IPL Owners Eye Expansion: The Growing Interest in WPL Franchises
The Rise of Women’s Cricket in India
Women’s cricket has witnessed an unprecedented surge in popularity and professional standards over the past few years. Since the inaugural season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in 2023, the landscape of the sport in India has undergone a transformative shift. This momentum reached a crescendo when India clinched the World Cup title on home soil in 2025—a landmark achievement that captured the imagination of the nation and placed the women’s game firmly in the spotlight.
With a constant influx of promising domestic talent and the proven success of the current structure, the conversation regarding the expansion of the WPL beyond its original five-team format has become inevitable. Interestingly, the drive for expansion is not just coming from the fans; it is coming from the top brass of Indian cricket, specifically those already deeply entrenched in the IPL.
IPL Owners Express Interest in WPL Expansion
The latest development in the league’s growth narrative involves Mohit Burman, the Indian businessman and co-owner of the Punjab Kings. Burman has openly voiced his ambition to acquire a WPL franchise, underscoring the growing confidence in the commercial viability of the women’s game.
In a recent discussion, Burman praised the BCCI for creating a robust platform that has allowed women cricketers to showcase their skills on a global stage. He noted, “The WPL has already established itself as an important platform for the women’s game in a very short period of time. The growth of women’s cricket has been fantastic to witness.” Regarding the business side of things, Burman emphasized that investment strategies are often dictated by timing and long-term considerations, but the belief in the potential of the women’s game remains absolute. “Personally, I think the future of the women’s game is extremely bright. We would love to own a women’s IPL team,” he added.
The Stance of the BCCI on Expansion
While the appetite for new franchises is clearly present among current IPL owners, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is maintaining a measured approach. Currently, the WPL consists of five teams, with three of those franchises owned by groups that also operate IPL teams. The competitive balance has been quite evident, with the Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru securing two titles each, while the Delhi Capitals have been a permanent fixture in the finals.
Despite the vocal interest from figures like Mohit Burman, the BCCI has indicated that there are no immediate plans for expansion. IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal recently clarified the board’s stance: “To further strengthen this tournament for the time being, we want to consolidate before we take a call on further addition of any team. There are no immediate plans to add new teams.” This suggests a focus on stabilizing the current five-team model to ensure long-term sustainability before scaling up.
WPL: A Catalyst for Success
The impact of the WPL on Indian cricket extends far beyond the boardroom. For years, the Indian women’s team has been a formidable force, consistently reaching the knockout stages of ICC events. However, the introduction of a high-intensity domestic league like the WPL has bridged the gap between promise and performance.
Drawing parallels with the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) in Australia, which has been instrumental in the success of the Australian team, the WPL provides Indian players with the same level of exposure to high-quality cricket and diverse, global dressing-room environments. This professional grooming is critical in helping younger players handle pressure, as seen in the Indian team’s composed performance during their recent World Cup victory. As the global calendar becomes increasingly crowded with leagues like The Hundred in England and the forthcoming WBPL in Bangladesh, the WPL stands as a cornerstone of the modern women’s cricket ecosystem, promising a bright and highly competitive future for the sport.
