The Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 is set to commence its third season on February 14, 2025, at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, bringing excitement and anticipation to cricket fans across the globe. The opening match will see reigning champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru face off against the Gujarat Giants, marking the beginning of another thrilling installment of this rapidly growing league.
WPL 2025 has expanded its horizons this year, featuring games across four different venues: Vadodara, Bengaluru, Lucknow, and Mumbai. The final showdown will be held on March 15 at the prestigious Brabourne Stadium, located in Mumbai, following the conclusion of the league stage on March 11 and the eliminator draft on March 13. This season promises to engage fans with 22 captivating matches, showcasing some of the best talents from women's cricket.
This year's league kicks off on February 14 and runs until March 15, capturing the heightened interest surrounding women's sports. The tournament will follow the double round-robin format, where the top team at the end of the league stage will secure direct access to the final, with the second and third placed teams battling it out for the remaining spot.
Vadodara will play host to six matches during the opening leg of the tournament, before the action moves to Bengaluru for eight games from February 21, 2025. Lucknow will then showcase four matches starting March 4, leading up to the final leg at Brabourne Stadium where the last four encounters will take place.
The matches will start nightly at 7:30 PM IST, ensuring prime viewing times for fans. The tournament is accessible to thousands of spectators and millions at home, with live broadcasts on Star Sports Network and streaming via Jio Cinema. Fans outside India can also catch every match, with networks like Sky Sports, Fox Cricket, Willow TV, and SuperSport bringing the action to the UK, Australia, USA, and South Africa respectively.
WPL 2025 is expected to continue building on the successes of its previous seasons, where cricketing icons like Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, Ellyse Perry, and Ash Gardner light up the pitches with their extraordinary skills. Each team will showcase their star players, with RCB featured prominently after their last victorious season against the Delhi Capitals.
This year, the tournament will introduce several electrifying new faces, including players from the Indian U19 team who recently clinched the T20 World Cup title. Niki Prasad, Parunika Sisodia, Shabnam Shakeel, VJ Joshitha, and G Kamalini are set to shine on this big stage, enhancing the tournament's competitive spirit.
Every franchise boasts formidable rosters this year. The Delhi Capitals squad features legends like Meg Lanning, Alice Capsey, and Jemimah Rodrigues, aiming to redeem themselves after last season's heartbreaking final. The Gujarat Giants will be led by newly appointed captain Ash Gardner, stepping up to fill the shoes of the departing Beth Mooney who previously led the team.
Meanwhile, the Mumbai Indians are bolstered by the captaincy of Harmanpreet Kaur, leveraging her vast experience to steer the team to success, especially after their triumphs during the inaugural season. The UP Warriorz, too, will look to make waves with their new captain Deepti Sharma at the helm, ready to captivate fans with their prowess.
This season, the WPL aims not only to entertain but also to promote women's cricket on the international stage, showcasing the developments and increasing participation of women athletes. The excitement surrounding the league contributes to changing narratives around sports and elevates the status of women athletes.
With fan engagement at the forefront, the WPL 2025 is expected to not only thrill cricket enthusiasts but also introduce new audiences to the exhilaration of women's cricket. Will Royal Challengers Bengaluru defend their title successfully, or will the other teams rise to the challenge? Regardless, cricket fans globally are sure to enjoy spectacular matches packed with emotion, athleticism, and unforgettable moments as the season launches on February 14.