India’s Lucrative Cricket Women’s Premier League Headed For Spectacular Finish Amid Sell-Out Crowd

About 50,000 giddy fans are expected to witness history on Sunday night for the first-ever Women’s Premier League final between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals at Brabourne Stadium.

The sell-out crowd – with no free tickets handed out in contrast to earlier matches – underlines the interest within cricket-mad India and will cap what has been a momentous tournament for the sport.

The WPL has been hailed a game-changer for women’s cricket with top players earning $400,000 for the three-week tournament, naturally attracting interest from stars globally while simultaneously providing a carrot for talented youngsters.

There has been serious resources put in by India’s all-powerful and affluent cricket governing body, whose bold plan to create a women’s version of the money-spinning men’s Indian Premier League has captured the imagination of local and international fans.

This isn’t going to be a flash in the pan with serious investment put into the WPL, whose five teams fetched $572 million on the back of Viacom 18 forking out $116 million for the media rights for the next five years. The value per-game is around $1 million.

The WPL’s mouth-watering decider looms as a fitting finale between hometown heroes Mumbai and Delhi, who are captained by legendary Australia skipper Meg Lanning.

Mumbai, with their eye-catching blue kits, will have the support of what should be a febrile crowd who will particularly be cheering on India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur.

A triumph would surely be one of the crowning achievements for Harmanpreet, whose spectacular century to knock-out all-conquering Australia at the 2017 World Cup proved a harbinger moment.

Women’s cricket in India had long been slower to develop compared to fellow powerhouses Australia and England, but India’s powerbrokers knew that Harmanpreet’s knock had roused the public who had seemingly been indifferent to the game previously.

Cynics might say somewhat opportunistically, given their affinity for a money-spinner, but India’s governing body has since hatched a plan to unleash women’s cricket into the forefront of a nation boasting a billion populace.

It’s culminated in the WPL and the much anticipated first season has been a roaring success marked by passionate crowds, stellar performances – including the historic five-wicket haul from American born quick Tara Norris – and global coverage beaming matches into households worldwide.

Mumbai, powerhouses of the IPL, are aiming for another title for their ever increasing brand. Owned by Mukesh Ambani, who is 13th on Forbes’ real-time billionaires list, Mumbai like several other IPL franchises are attempting to expand their footprint beyond India.

They’ve shoehorned into other T20 leagues around the world, including America’s new Major League Cricket by planting a flag in New York. Although the naming of MI New York – apparently supposed to be pronounced ‘my’ – has seemingly been ham-fisted and not been received well given the ‘Indians’ connotation in America.

Ambani has also been quick to invest into WPL and – much like the IPL – they’ve become the glamour franchise and hope to celebrate another triumph furthering cement Harmanpreet’s legacy, while inspiring girls in the terraces and beyond.

Delhi Capitals, however, will be out to spoil the party.