The Indian women’s cricket team vice-captain, Smriti Mandhana, has been unveiled as one of the icon players for the inaugural edition of the Women’s Maharashtra Premier League (WMPL), as reported by the BBC Rugby Union on [date].
Women’s Maharashtra Premier League (WMPL)
The Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) made the formal announcement of the franchise-based T20 tournament, which will feature four teams and be held under the aegis of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the state governing body.
This marks a significant milestone, as the MCA has become the first association from the BCCI to start a state league specifically for women’s cricket.
The tournament is scheduled to take place at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Gahunje from June 24 onwards.
Icon Players
Joining Mandhana as the other icon players in the WMPL are:
- Devika Vaidya
- Anuja Patil
- Kiran Navgire
- Shraddha Pokharkar
Prize Money and Auctions
The tournament’s inaugural edition will offer a prize money of ₹20 lakh for the winning team and ₹10 lakh for the runner-up, along with other individual awards.
The auction for the teams will be held on April 27, while the player auction is scheduled for May 11.
Significance and Impact
This new state-level T20 tournament is set to provide a valuable platform for women cricketers in Maharashtra, allowing them to showcase their skills and potentially pave the way for future opportunities at the national level.
The introduction of the Women’s Maharashtra Premier League is a testament to the growing popularity and recognition of women’s cricket in India.
With the inclusion of high-profile players like Smriti Mandhana, the tournament is poised to generate significant interest and excitement among cricket enthusiasts, further driving the development and growth of the sport at the grassroots level.
As the teams gear up for the auction and the players prepare to take the field, the WMPL promises to be an exhilarating addition to the domestic cricket calendar, offering a new stage for the talented women cricketers of Maharashtra to showcase their skills and inspire the next generation of cricket stars.
🔗 Source
