The Women’s Premier League’s second season kicks off on Friday, February 23. Mumbai Indians, the defending champions, will face last year’s runners-up, Delhi Capitals, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Let’s dive into some common questions about the tournament:
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Is Bangalore hosting WPL 2024?
– Yes, for the first half. The tournament, featuring five teams and 22 games including knockouts, splits its matches between Bengaluru and Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium. Bengaluru hosts the first leg until March 4, followed by Delhi from March 5. The Eliminator and the Final take place at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on March 15 and 17 respectively.
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Any changes in the tournament structure from last year?
– No changes in the number of teams or format. Each team plays the other four twice in a double round-robin format. Table-toppers advance straight to the final, while the second and third-placed teams compete in the Eliminator. Unlike last time, there are no double-headers this season.
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What are the match timings?
– All games start at 7:30 PM IST, played back-to-back. There’s a day break before each of the two knockouts.
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Is there a bat flip like in the WBBL?
– No, just the usual coin toss, similar to the IPL. Last season, Harmanpreet Kaur lost seven tosses in a row before finally winning one.
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Is there an Impact Sub in WPL like in IPL?
– Unfortunately, no. Each captain selects 11 players at the toss, with concussion subs permitted if needed.
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Is there DRS (Decision Review System)?
– Yes, all games are fully televised with DRS, allowing each side two reviews per innings.
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Can players review wides and no-balls using DRS in WPL?
– Yes, WPL 2023 introduced this DRS rule modification, also adopted in the subsequent IPL season.
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Were there any surprise releases before the mini auction?
– Yes, notable releases included Annabel Sutherland, Devika Vaidya, and Shabnim Ismail, with some players finding new homes. Several players, including national stars and foreign players, were released by different teams.
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What were the auction highlights ahead of Season 2?
– Kashvee Gautam emerged as the highest-paid uncapped player, followed by significant deals for other players like Annabel Sutherland and Shabnim Ismail. Notable players found new teams while others remained unsold.
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Any notable absences post-auction?
– Some players opted out due to international commitments, while others withdrew due to injuries. Replacement players were brought in for those unavailable.
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Are there any associate players this time around?
– Yes, Scotland’s Kathryn Bryce is the only associate player this season, signed by Gujarat Giants.
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Are there any changes in the team management?
– Apart from Beth Mooney returning as captain for Gujarat Giants, there are new coaches for some teams like Michael Klinger for Giants and Luke Williams for RCB.
The Women’s Premier League promises an exciting season ahead with teams gearing up for fierce competition.