The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) awarded the title sponsorship rights for the first-ever Women’s Premier League (WPL) for five seasons from 2023 to 2027 to Tata Group, who will be promoting its two flagship brands: TATA Capital and TATA Motors during this tenure.
The Tata group already holds the title rights of the Indian Premier League (IPL) after Vivo, the Chinese handset manufacturer, pulled out of the agreement. The value of the WPL title sponsorship is yet to be confirmed.
The BCCI already has a broadcaster - Viacom 18 - in place for the league, the maiden edition of which will run from March 4 to 26 and will be held entirely in Mumbai. BCCI already earned Rs 4670 crore from the sale of the five franchises- which were bought by Adani Group, Reliance, RCB (Diageo), Delhi Capitals, and Capri Global.
The first edition of the WPL will comprise 22 matches and will feature five teams – Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore & UP Warriorz.
The WPL 2023 auction saw Smriti Mandhana becoming the most expensive player sold at INR 3.40 crores to Royal Challengers Banglore and will captain the side as well. Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian team captain, was bought by Mumbai Indians, while all-rounder Deepti Sharma went to UP Warriorz.
Natalie Sciver-Brunt and Ashleigh Gardner were also the most expensive foreign players at INR 3.20 crores each.
Roger Binny, President, BCCI said: “We are really happy and excited to have TATA Group as the title sponsor for the WPL. We feel this is one of the most significant developments which will further boost the popularity of women’s cricket. The Indian women’s team has left no stone unturned to make the country proud and WPL is a step to indicate the upswing of women’s cricket in India. The tournament marks a new chapter in the history of women’s cricket in India and I am sure that it will set a new benchmark in the times to come; encouraging the Indian as well as the world cricketers to take up and pursue the sport.”
Jay Shah, Secretary, BCCI said: “Women’s cricket is achieving new heights with every passing day and having TATA Group on board as the Title Sponsor for the Women’s Premier League is a testament of the growing stature of women’s cricket in India. The WPL will now be called TATA Women’s Premier League. The BCCI values and appreciates women’s cricket and the WPL is one more initiative to further nurture the game.”
Arun Singh Dhumal, Chairman, IPL said: “After extending their support to the IPL, we are happy to have TATA Group on board for the Women’s Premier League. We look forward to a fruitful partnership and the BCCI is sure the WPL brand will grow manifold with this move. I am sure this will be a long and enriching affiliation for both stakeholders. The beginning of the WPL is one more step in BCCI’s continuous endeavour to support and promote women’s cricket in India. This is the inaugural edition of the tournament, which promises to inspire and act as motivation for the budding women cricketers across the globe.”
(BCCI inputs)
