New Delhi: India women’s vice-captain Smriti Mandhana believes the Women’s Premier League (WPL) is beginning to replicate the transformative impact that the Indian Premier League (IPL) has had on men’s cricket since 2008. Mandhana highlighted the changing crowd dynamics at women’s matches, with more young girls turning up as spectators and aspiring players.
Since WPL’s launch in 2023, there has been a surge in girls enrolling in cricket academies across both major and smaller Indian cities. Mandhana, who runs a cricket academy in Sangli, Maharashtra, shared her vision for the newly launched Dubai academy in collaboration with Don Anshuman Bhagwati.
“For sure, in the last three years, we have seen the way WPL has grown as well, and the amount of girls coming out to watch WPL matches. I think 4-5 years back you would see a lot of guys watching games in the stands. But now I think we see a clear shift in a lot of even girls coming (to see games),” Mandhana told IANS.
She continued, “Like, small girls (are) coming up to us as well, and saying that we aspire to be cricketers, which is a really nice thing. WPL for sure has played a major impact in terms of the way I think T20 cricket has reached, and the entertainment value it definitely gets. What IPL has done for men's cricket over the last 17 years, I am sure WPL has just started to do that.”
Mandhana also emphasized the importance of educating young players about nutrition, which she feels was overlooked during her own formative years. “I think we had a good discussion over it and over the years we have seen how much nutrition can be a part (of life), and not only for elite athletes,” she said. “I feel even if the nutrition is right, which we didn’t know when we were growing up (in terms of) what to eat or not, it does play a huge part.”
As part of her commitment to developing young talent, Mandhana plans to incorporate nutrition education into her training programs at her Dubai academy. “We will have nutritionists in place and we will try and guide the players whoever in terms wants to have it also because nutrition is a very personal choice,” she added.
Mandhana is set to feature in India’s upcoming ODI tri-series in Sri Lanka from April 27 to May 11, 2025, where South Africa will also compete. This tournament is seen as a crucial step in her preparations for the upcoming women’s ODI World Cup in India later this year.
With the WPL fostering a new generation of female cricketers, Mandhana expressed optimism about the future of women's cricket in India. “This is only going to help in terms of having proper facilities in terms of academies, and that's what my conversation with Don was about—the academy is for everyone. But we really want to focus on how we can develop women's cricket, in terms of overall development and not just on skills.”
She noted that the WPL has sparked interest in cricket among young girls, stating, “We see a lot more involvement, not only in the cities where WPL teams are. It even comes from other cities that don't have WPL teams.”
Mandhana’s insights reflect a growing trend within women’s cricket, where the WPL is starting to mirror the success of the IPL. The emphasis on skill development, nutrition, and personal strength conditioning is expected to elevate the standard of women's cricket in India.
“I think a lot of academies do focus a lot on skills. But we really want to give programs in terms of how we can develop their personal strength, and conditioning. So that whenever they leave the academy, they can be like a final product,” she explained.
As the WPL continues to grow, the impact on young female cricketers is becoming increasingly apparent. Mandhana's vision for the future is one where women’s cricket receives the same level of recognition and support as men’s cricket, thanks to the influence of leagues like the WPL.
In conclusion, the Women’s Premier League is not just a tournament; it’s a movement that promises to change the landscape of women’s cricket in India. With players like Smriti Mandhana leading the way, the future looks bright for aspiring female cricketers.
