WPL 2025 Unveils Thrilling New Twists – Details Inside!

WPL 2025 : The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 has kicked off with a bang, promising a month of electrifying cricket, fierce rivalries, and groundbreaking talent. As the third edition of India’s premier women’s T20 league, this season blends the star power of international icons with the rise of homegrown heroes. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) aim to retain their crown, while four challengers—Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, UP Warriorz, and Gujarat Giants—vie to dethrone them. Here’s your ultimate guide to the tournament’s schedule, squads, key players, and everything you need to know.

WPL 2025 Launch Details

The WPL 2025 season began on February 14, 2025, with a blockbuster opener between RCB and Gujarat Giants at Vadodara’s Kotambi Stadium. The tournament spans 30 days, featuring 22 matches across four cities—Vadodara, Bengaluru, Lucknow, and Mumbai. The final will be held on March 15 at Mumbai’s iconic Brabourne Stadium, a venue synonymous with cricketing history.

This year’s edition introduces no format changes, retaining the double round-robin league followed by playoffs. However, the absence of big names like Alyssa Healy (injured) and Sophie Devine (withdrawn) has opened doors for emerging Indian talents to shine.

WPL 2025 Full Schedule and Venues

The tournament’s 22 league matches are spread across four stadiums, ensuring fans nationwide get a taste of the action:

1. Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara (6 matches | Capacity: 45,000)

2. M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru (8 matches | Capacity: 40,000)

3. Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow (4 matches | Capacity: 50,100)

4. Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai (4 matches + playoffs | Capacity: 33,000)

Key Fixtures:

• Feb 14: Gujarat Giants vs RCB (Opener)

• Feb 21: RCB vs Mumbai Indians (Ellyse Perry vs Harmanpreet Kaur)

• Mar 3: UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants (Deepti Sharma’s leadership test)

• Mar 15: Final at Brabourne Stadium

The complete schedule ensures prime-time 7:30 PM IST starts, maximizing viewership and stadium attendance.

WPL 2025 Teams and Squads

1. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)

• Captain: Smriti Mandhana

• Key Players: Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghosh, Renuka Singh

• Withdrawn: Sophie Devine, Kate Cross

• Replacements: Heather Graham, Kim Garth

RCB’s squad combines aggression (Mandhana) and experience (Perry), backed by young spinners like Shreyanka Patil.

2. Mumbai Indians (MI)

• Captain: Harmanpreet Kaur

• Key Players: Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amelia Kerr, Yastika Bhatia

• Replacement: Parunika Sisodia (for Pooja Vastrakar)

MI’s firepower includes the world’s No. 1 all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt and leg-spin prodigy Keerthana Balakrishnan.

3. Delhi Capitals (DC)

• Captain: Meg Lanning

• Key Players: Jemimah Rodrigues, Marizanne Kapp, Shafali Verma

DC boasts a balanced core, with Lanning’s tactical acumen and Shafali’s explosive batting.

4. UP Warriorz (UPW)

• Captain: Deepti Sharma

• Key Players: Grace Harris, Sophie Ecclestone, Chamari Athapaththu

• Replacement: Chinelle Henry (for Alyssa Healy)

UPW’s spin-heavy attack, led by Ecclestone and Rajeshwari Gayakwad, could dominate slow tracks.

5. Gujarat Giants (GG)

• Captain: Ashleigh Gardner

• Key Players: Beth Mooney, Laura Wolvaardt, Simran Shaikh (₹1.9 crore signing)

GG’s revamped squad includes teen sensation Simran Shaikh, whose auction bid made headlines.

WPL 2025 Key Players to Watch

1. Smriti Mandhana (RCB): The elegant left-hander seeks to replicate her 2024 heroics (315 runs at 138 SR).

2. Shreyanka Patil (RCB): India’s rising spin star, fresh from a 15-wicket 2024 season.

3. Harmanpreet Kaur (MI): A proven match-winner with 1,200+ T20I runs.

4. Deepti Sharma (UPW): All-round brilliance (200+ runs, 12 wickets in 2024).

5. Simran Shaikh (GG): The 16-year-old leg-spinner, dubbed the “next Poonam Yadav.”

WPL 2025 Tournament Format

• League Stage: 20 matches (each team plays 8 games).

• Playoffs:

  • Eliminator (Mar 13): 2nd vs 3rd on points table.

  • Final (Mar 15): 1st vs Eliminator winner.

Points system: 2 for a win, 1 for a tie/no result. Net run rate (NRR) decides tied standings.

WPL 2025 Live Streaming and Telecast

• TV: Star Sports Network (Hindi, English, regional languages).

• Streaming: Disney+ Hotstar (free for mobile users).

• Global Broadcast: Sky Sports (UK), Willow TV (USA), Fox Sports (Australia).

WPL 2025 Questions and Answers

Q: How does the playoff format work?
A: The top team advances directly to the final. The 2nd and 3rd-placed teams face off in the Eliminator, with the winner joining the final.

Q: Which team has the strongest bowling attack?
A: UP Warriorz, with Sophie Ecclestone (World No. 1 T20I bowler) and Deepti Sharma’s economical spin.

Q: Who is the most expensive player in WPL 2025?
A: Simran Shaikh (GG), bought for ₹1.9 crore, surpassing Deandra Dottin’s ₹1.7 crore bid.

Q: Can RCB defend their title without Sophie Devine?
A: Yes! Heather Graham’s all-round skills and Richa Ghosh’s power-hitting fill the gap.

Q: Which venue will host the most matches?
A: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru (8 matches), a paradise for batters with short boundaries.

The Verdict

The Women’s Premier League 2025 isn’t just a cricket tournament—it’s a movement reshaping women’s sports in India. With record auctions, strategic innovations, and a platform for future stars, the WPL continues to break barriers. Whether you’re cheering for Mandhana’s elegance, Harmanpreet’s aggression, or Simran’s spin wizardry, this season promises unforgettable moments. Tune in, because history is being written, one boundary at a time.