IPL Chair Arun Dhumal Rules Out Immediate Expansion of WPL

The Women’s Premier League (WPL) recently wrapped up its third season, with Mumbai Indians securing their second title. The tournament has gained momentum over the past three years, drawing in more fans and increasing its viewership. However, despite its rapid growth, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal has confirmed that there are no immediate plans to expand the league by adding more teams.

There had been discussions about introducing new teams after three seasons, but for now, the focus remains on strengthening the existing structure. "To further strengthen this tournament for the time being, we want to consolidate before we take a call on further addition of any team. There are no immediate plans (to add teams)," Dhumal told PTI. 

The WPL has seen impressive numbers in terms of attendance and viewership. The 2025 edition attracted approximately 150 million viewers across 22 matches, with the final and opening game drawing the highest audience. However, unlike the Indian Premier League (IPL), the WPL is yet to adopt a home-and-away format. Instead, this year’s matches were spread across cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Baroda, and Lucknow. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) initially earned Rs 4670 crore from the sale of five franchises representing Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, UP, and Gujarat. Even before a single ball was bowled, the league made history by securing media rights worth Rs 951 crore, making it the second-biggest women’s cricket league in the world. 

Dhumal expressed his satisfaction with the league’s success and the way it has contributed to the rise of women’s cricket on a global scale. "So, within three editions, WPL has grown phenomenally in terms of traction, for in-stadium attendance. All the broadcast numbers are very, very encouraging. And it has given new impetus to women's cricket worldwide," he said. "So, we are hoping this continues to grow. And this augurs very well for not only the tournament, but women's cricket in general," he added. 

With women's cricket, and the WPL in particular, gaining more popularity every year, it might only be a matter of time before the BCCI considers expanding the league. Adding more franchises could play a key role in discovering new talent, giving young players a platform to shine. Just as the IPL has helped unearth and showcase local talent on the global stage, the WPL could do the same for the next generation of women's cricketers.  

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