Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami, and other Indian legends reflect on the WPL’s impact on women’s cricket

As the third season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) nears its climax, it’s clear that the tournament has been a game-changer for women’s cricket. The past few weeks have witnessed a plethora of thrilling moments, including a hat-trick, joint fastest fifty, record-breaking chase, monstrous sixes, nail-biting super over, breathtaking catches and more.

The WPL has not only showcased intense competition but also highlighted the rapid growth of women’s cricket, providing a platform for emerging talent to rub shoulders with the world’s best.

The tournament has witnessed the exciting debuts of several young Indian talents, including U19 stars like Niki Prasad, Joshitha VJ, Kamalini Gunalan, and Parunika Sisodia. Additionally, rising stars like Kranti Goud, Sanskriti Gupta, Raghvi Bist, and N Charini have also made their mark, making the WPL a memorable platform for their introduction to the big stage.

The Indian cricketing legends including the likes of Jhulan Goswami, Praveen Tambe, Hemlata Kala, Mithali Raj and Kiran More weighed in on the tournament’s unstoppable rise.

Jhulan Goswami, Mumbai Indians’ Bowling Coach and Mentor, reflected on the remarkable transformation within the league. She highlighted the WPL’s impact on domestic players, noting a significant improvement since the first season. She recalled how young Indian cricketers initially struggled to communicate with overseas stars but have now grown in confidence. “Now, they communicate with them, their self-belief has also improved,” she said.

Pravin Tambe, Gujarat Giants’ Bowling Coach, echoed similar sentiments on the growth of domestic players in the WPL. He emphasized their remarkable progress, particularly in fitness, work ethic, and overall confidence. “The confidence level has gone high because I have worked with them before in the domestic, and when they come and play at this level, I think the fare has gone up,” he remarked.

Hemlata Kala, former chief selector and current assistant coach of Delhi Capitals, highlighted the WPL’s influence on domestic cricket, noting its impact on tournaments like the Challenger Trophy. She pointed out significant improvements in fielding, with domestic players taking impressive catches, and a noticeable rise in power-hitting compared to earlier years.

Mithali Raj, former Indian captain, reflected on the remarkable progress of the WPL from its first season to the third. She pointed out the rise in six-hitting, with some clearing 92 meters, and the consistency of standout moments—hat-tricks every season, record chases, fastest fifties, and even a thrilling super-over this year. Summing up the league’s remarkable growth, she said, “so there’s a lot we can talk about how far the Women’s Premier League has come.”

Kiran More, former Indian wicket keeper and selector, as well as Mumbai Indians’ General Manager, highlighted the steady rise of young talent in the WPL. He noted that emerging players like Kamalini and Sanskriti, along with several others across teams, have been performing exceptionally well. He believes this surge of talent will significantly benefit the Indian women’s cricket team in the coming years.

The WPL has provided a breakthrough platform for young Indian cricketers, allowing them to showcase their talent on a bigger stage. Jhulan Goswami highlighted Amanjot’s progress, noting how limited opportunities in the first two seasons didn’t hold her back from making an impact this year.

Hemlata Kala praised Niki Prasad’s maturity and focus, believing she has immense potential. Pravin Tambe highlighted Priya from Gujarat, noting how her attitude has transformed as she strives to improve with every game. Mithali Raj acknowledged the growing competition among domestic players, citing Kranti Goud’s journey. As Kala put it, “the future of Indian cricket is very bright.”

Since its inception in 2023, the WPL has played a crucial role in elevating women’s cricket by providing players with high-quality competition and greater exposure. Pravin Tambe acknowledged the impact of the tournament, stating, “The talent is so much, and it’s because of the matches and exposure they are getting with this WPL. BCCI has done a great job by starting WPL.”

This season, the tournament expanded to four venues—Vadodara, Bangalore, Lucknow, and Mumbai—helping the game reach new audiences. Jhulan Goswami emphasized the importance of this move, saying, “I think the best thing is they are taking it to different states and different venues such as Vadodara, where they can motivate young girls to take cricket professionally. Women’s cricket is growing from strength to strength.”

(Quotes sourced from video posted by WPL on Instagram)

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