BCCI to opt for fresh auction for WIPL teams; players to be drafted instead of being auctioned- Report

The model of the WIPL to be prepared by BCCI CEO Hemang Amin.

The BCCI, on Tuesday, confirmed that the Women’s Indian Premier League (WIPL) would be conducted in March next year, and the board is likely to opt for new auctions for the WIPL team owners.

An open bidding process is in the plans for the team auctions, which are expected to take place by the end of 2022. Of the existing 10 IPL franchises, at least six have shown an initial interest in buying a WIPL team.

Also, the 10 owners of the Men's Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises are not going to be given a right to the first refusal. This means they would have to make fresh bids for the Women’s franchises in the open bidding process alongside newly interested parties.

Cricbuzz reported that WIPL will be a five-team event, with a maximum of five overseas players - 4 from Member Nations and 1 for Associate Nation - allowed in the Playing XI. Each team can make up a squad of 18 players, which includes six overseas signings.

Chetan Sharma's fate as chief selector hangs in the balance as BCCI likely to rejig selection panel: Report

Also, unlike the Men’s IPL, where the players are auctioned, the WIPL will see a player draft happening. The BCCI has approximated 60 Indian players to be part of the first edition of WIPL in 2023, the number is based on the availability of quality players in the domestic setup.

The board is yet to decide on the option of selling the franchises. - Either Zone wise: North (Dharamsala/Jammu), South (Kochi/Vizag), Central (Indore/Nagpur/Raipur), East (Ranchi/Cuttack), North East (Guwahati) and West (Pune/Rajkot) - with matches held at non-IPL venues), or the existing city-wise like with Men's IPL (Ahmedabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata - with matches held at IPL venues).

“We have in principle decided to start a women's IPL. IPL governing council was asked to finalize the details for the same. Franchise auction and all other things will be decided in some time,” said BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla on the WIPL.

“Lack of cricket administration experience”- Shahid Afridi questions timing of Jay Shah saying India will not tour Pakistan

With 20 league matches expected to be played, along with 2 knockout matches. in the first edition of WIPL, only two venues are expected to be used for the entire tournament.

The first season is likely to take place in March 2023 after the culmination of the Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa. It is expected to finish before the Men’s IPL begins in the last week of March 2023.

BCCI's acting CEO Hemang Amin will prepare the model for the WIPL.

(Cricbuzz inputs)