Bengaluru and Delhi Emerges as Prime Contenders to Host WPL’s Second Season

BCCI Explores Bengaluru and Delhi as Potential Venues for the Upcoming Women’s Premier League; Tournament Window Tentatively Set from February 22 to March 17

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering Bengaluru and Delhi as potential hosts for the upcoming 2024 Women’s Premier League (WPL) season. The tentative window for the tournament is set between February 22 and March 17, with Bengaluru and Delhi earmarked as venues.

Sources reveal that the first segment of WPL 2024 will take place in Bengaluru, followed by the second leg and knockout stages hosted in Delhi. This strategic division, encompassing 22 matches across five teams, allows for the preservation of pitch quality at both venues, ensuring readiness for the 2024 IPL commencing on March 22.

The WPL’s inaugural edition occurred in 2023, exclusively taking place in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah had expressed a preference for hosting the second season in a single state to streamline logistical challenges. However, the final decision leaned towards leveraging two venues, Bengaluru and Delhi.

Given that both Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium and Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium are substantial facilities, the tournament will unfold with matches over ten consecutive days at each location. This departure from the conventional approach of not scheduling consecutive matches at the same venue for more than two days adds an intriguing element to both the IPL and WPL formats.

The Mumbai Indians are the reigning champions, securing victory against the Delhi Capitals in the final of the inaugural WPL season last year. As preparations gear up for the second edition, cricket enthusiasts await another exciting chapter in the women’s cricket calendar.