IPL chairman says they have "no immediate plans" to add new teams to WPL

Like the Indian Premier League, WPL, or the Women's Premier League, has rapidly gone on to become one of the most elite 20-over female franchise cricket competition in the country. The WPL has been a five-team tournament since its inception, three of which are franchises from the IPL - RCB, MI, and DC. As a matter of growing popularity of the tournament, people have asked for addition of new teams to take it to newer heights.

However, the league chairperson Arun Singh Dhumal has straightforwardly denied any immediate plans to add new teams to the WPL. Dhumal, who has been a key figure within the Indian cricket board, is of the opinion that it will take a bit more time to consolidate the current format of WPL, before making any further changes in terms of the way it is played currently.

“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),” the IPL chairman was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

“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, so we are hoping this continues to grow. And this augurs very well for not only the tournament but women’s cricket in general,” Dhumal added.

Speaking of the WPL, the latest 2025 edition was won by the Mumbai Indians Women who defeated the Delhi Capitals by eight runs. The highest run getter in the 2025 was Nat Sciver-Brunt with 523 runs from 10 matches at an average of 65.37. She was also the MVP of the tournament. The highest wicket taker was Kiwi star all-rounder Amelia Kerr, who took 18 wickets at an economy of 7.75 and had an average of 15.94.