Women’s Premier League (WPL)

Here is the information regarding the Women’s Premier League (WPL) tailored for UPSC exam preparation, . This content is structured to cover general knowledge and current affairs topics.

WPL – Key Information (For UPSC)

• Administering Body: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
• Format: Twenty20 Cricket (T20).
• First Season: Held in 2023.
• Current Season (2026): This is the fourth edition of the league.
• Number of Teams: A total of 5 teams participate.
• Objective: To promote women’s cricket, provide a platform for young female cricketers, and ultimately strengthen the Indian women’s national team.

WPL 2026 Season Details

• Dates: Runs from January 9, 2026, to February 5, 2026.
• Venues: The season matches are being played in two cities:
  • Navi Mumbai (DY Patil Stadium) – hosted league matches from January 9 to 17.
  • Vadodara (Baroda Cricket Association Stadium) – hosts the remaining league matches, playoffs, and the Final.
• Final Date: The final is scheduled for February 5, 2026, in Vadodara.
• Broadcasting Rights:
  • TV: Star Sports Network.
  • Live Streaming: Available on the JioCinema and JioHotstar apps and websites.

Teams and Captains

• Mumbai Indians: Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain).
• Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB): Smriti Mandhana (Captain).
• Delhi Capitals: Jemimah Rodrigues (Captain).
• UP Warriorz: Meg Lanning (Captain).
• Gujarat Giants: Ashleigh Gardner (Captain)

Significance of WPL from a UPSC Perspective

• Women Empowerment: The WPL plays a crucial role in providing equal opportunities in sports for women and promoting financial stability in the field.
• Inspiration for Youth: Women cricketers serve as vital role models for the younger generation, particularly young girls interested in sports.
• Indian Sports Development: Playing alongside international stars allows domestic players to refine their skills, thereby boosting the strength of the national team.
• Economic Impact: The significant investments made during team auctions and by franchisees show a positive impact on the sports economy in India.
• Current Affairs: Information regarding winners, key records (highest runs, wickets, etc.), and major changes (new venues, captains) are important General Knowledge points for the Prelims examination.

Since its inception in 2023, the Women’s Premier League (WPL) has seen three completed seasons, with two different teams lifting the trophy. 

WPL Winners and Runners-up

Season	Winner	Runner-up	Final Venue
2023	Mumbai Indians	Delhi Capitals	Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai
2024	Royal Challengers Bengaluru	Delhi Capitals	Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi
2025	Mumbai Indians	Delhi Capitals	Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai

Key Insights

• The Mumbai Indians are the most successful team, having won the title twice in the 2023 and 2025 seasons.
• The Delhi Capitals have a notable record of reaching the final in all three completed seasons but finished as runners-up each time.
• The Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured their maiden title in the 2024 season.
• The current 2026 season is ongoing, with the final scheduled for February 5, 2026, in Vadodara. 

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) on WPL

1. Consider the following statements regarding the administrative body of the Women’s Premier League (WPL):

1. The WPL is organized and administered by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to promote global women’s cricket.
2. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the sole organizing body for the WPL, similar to the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

2. With reference to the economic impact and structure of the WPL, consider the following statements:

1. The introduction of the WPL has led to significant financial investment through team auctions, contributing to the sports economy in India.
2. The league aims to solely benefit established international players, offering limited scope for domestic talent to gain exposure.
3. The WPL facilitates equal pay principles in sports by establishing high valuation benchmarks for women athletes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

3. In the context of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), which of the following statements correctly identifies the primary objective beyond just the sport?

(a) To replace the existing domestic cricket structure in India with a franchise-based model.
(b) To focus exclusively on the commercial aspect and profitability of women’s cricket for the BCCI.
(c) To serve as a catalyst for women’s empowerment in sports and provide a robust platform for nurturing grassroots talent for the national team.
(d) To establish an annual inter-state tournament as an alternative to the Zonal structure.

4. The ongoing WPL 2026 season utilizes which specific format for its matches, aligning with global trends in franchise cricket?

(a) One Day International (ODI)
(b) Test Cricket
(c) Twenty20 (T20)
(d) Ten-over (T10) format

5. Consider the venues for the WPL 2026 season. The final match of this specific season is scheduled to be held in:

(a) New Delhi
(b) Navi Mumbai (DY Patil Stadium)
(c) Bengaluru
(d) Vadodara (Baroda Cricket Association Stadium)

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Answer Key and Explanations

Question No.	Answer	Explanation
1	(b) 2 only	The WPL is a purely domestic Indian tournament run by the BCCI, not the ICC. Statement 2 is correct.
2	(c) 1 and 3 only	Statement 2 is incorrect; the WPL explicitly aims to unearth and provide a platform for domestic and uncapped players. Statements 1 (investment) and 3 (valuation/pay equity implications) are correct.
3	(c) To serve as a catalyst…	This option correctly identifies the broader socio-economic and strategic goals of the league in developing women’s sports in India, which is an important consideration from a policy/UPSC perspective.
4	(c) Twenty20 (T20)	WPL follows the standard T20 format prevalent in global franchise leagues like the IPL, BBL, and the Hundred.
5	(d) Vadodara (Baroda Cricket Association Stadium)	For the specific 2026 season mentioned, the final matches and the latter half of the tournament are hosted in Vadodara. The initial matches were in Navi Mumbai.