Tata Group on Tuesday bagged the title rights for the inaugural Women's Premier League beginning in Mumbai on March 4. "I am delighted to announce the #TataGroup as the title sponsor of the inaugural #WPL. With their support, we're confident that we can take women's cricket to the next level," BCCI secretary Jay Shah tweeted. The financials of the deal was not revealed.
A BCCI source told PTI that Tata has secured the rights for five years. The Indian multinational conglomerate had last year replaced Vivo as the title sponsor for the Indian Premier League. The first edition will be played in Mumbai across two venues -- Brabourne Stadium and DY Patil Stadium.
I am delighted to announce the #TataGroup as the title sponsor of the inaugural #WPL. With their support, we're confident that we can take women's cricket to the next level. @BCCI @BCCIWomen @wplt20 pic.twitter.com/L05vXeDx1j
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) February 21, 2023
The sale of media rights had fetched the BCCI Rs 951 crore and the five teams were sold for Rs 4700 crore. At Rs 3.40 crore, Indian opener Smriti Mandhana was the most expensive buy at the auction held earlier this month.
The league, which have five teams -- Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore & UP Warriorz -- will have its first double-header day on March 5 when Royal Challengers Bangalore will square off against Delhi Capitals at the Brabourne Stadium, CCI while UP Warriorz will play their first game of the league against Gujarat Giants at the DY Patil Stadium.
There will be four double headers with the first match starting at 1530 hrs IST and all evening matches will start at 1930 hrs IST. A total of 11 matches each will be held at the DY Patil Stadium and Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai, the BCCI said in a media release.
The final game of the league stage will be played between UP Warriorz and Delhi Capitals on March 21 at the Brabourne Stadium, CCI.
The Eliminator will be played at the DY Patil Stadium on March 24. The Final of the Women`s Premier League 2023 will be played at the Brabourne Stadium on March 26.
Earlier, the five franchises splurged their purse to acquire some of the best talents in the international and domestic circuit for the inaugural edition of the league.
India's Smriti Mandhana was the top buy as she was sold for a whopping INR 3.40 crore to Royal Challengers Bangalore. Team India Captain Harmanpreet Kaur was sold to Mumbai Indians for INR 1.80 crore while the rest of the stars from India and around the globe too made the cut in one of the five franchises.
With inputs from PTI and IANS
