Mumbai Indians franchise appoint Charlotte Edwards as their head coach for inaugural WPL

Former England captain Charlotte Edwards has been appointed as the head coach of Mumbai Indians franchise for the upcoming Women’s Premier League. Along with Charlotte, former Indian fast-bowler, Jhulan Goswami, and all-rounder Devieka Palshikaar, have been appointed as the bowling and batting coaches, respectively.

The 43-year-old Edwards is the second highest run-getter in both ODIs and Tests for the England Women’s team, as well as across the world. After her retirement, she has also been the coach of the English domestic team, Southern Vipers, Southern Brave from the Hundred, and Sydney Sixers in the Women’s Big Bash League. She also has an international coaching experience with USA Women’s team.

As the England skipper, Edwards led her team to the inaugural Women’s T20 World Cup title in 2009, leading the team to the ODI World Cup title in the same year. After retirement, she has been the forefront to Women’s cricket taking different seats in various committees with MCC and ICC.

Apart from Mumbai Indians franchises of Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants, Lucknow Warriors and Royal Challengers Bangalore are the other teams that will be competing for the inaugural title in the upcoming Women’s Premier League which is most likely to be played from March 4 to March 24, however, no official dates have yet been released by the governing officials.

The player auction for WPL is scheduled to take place on February 13, in Mumbai. For the auction, each team will have a purse of INR 12 crore. Each team will have 15 to 18 players, with five overseas players, provided one from the ICC's associate nations.

In the inaugural season, a total of 22 matches will be played between the five teams, where each team will get to play eight games. The team at the top of the points table after the league stage will directly qualify for the final. While the second and the third-ranked team will face other in the qualifier for the second spot in the final.

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