'The more professional women's cricket becomes, the better it will be' - Smriti Mandhana explains how WPL, WMPL are helping women's cricket

India Women's vice-captain Smriti Mandhana highlighted the growth and popularity of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), mentioning that it has exhibited the potential of women’s cricket to generate substantial revenue. In three seasons of the WPL, which started in 2023, several talented youngsters have come to the fore.

Mandhana, who led Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to the title last year, said that investors are ready to put their money into women's cricket after watching leagues like the WPL thrive.

Apart from the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), the state boards are also unveiling women's cricket leagues to shape the future of women's cricket. The southpaw is set to feature in the inaugural Women's Maharashtra Premier League (WMPL). She will be leading the Ratnagiri Jets franchise, which has won the men's MPL twice. Ratnagiri Jets are set to face Raigad Royals on Thursday, June 5.

"I feel, for women's cricket to have this sort of stage is amazing, and the very fact that state associations and also the WPL, the way they have supported it shows that, of course, women's cricket can generate revenues, which is an amazing thing for women's cricket. And people are ready to invest money into it. I mean, the more professional the sport gets, it's only going to get better, especially for grassroots-level cricketers. For them, I think this is just amazing," Mandhana said in a release issued by Ratnagiri Jets.

“So, from my point of view, of course, promotion is one thing, but I think we are well beyond that in women's cricket. I see it as people being ready to invest, and that shows that women's cricket is growing and people want to watch it," Mandhana added.

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