The BCCI may have put a pause on any near-term expansion of the Women’s Premier League, but Punjab Kings co-owner Mohit Burman believes the franchise would eventually want a presence in the league. The WPL is still only in its early stage, having been launched four seasons ago, yet Burman is confident the women’s game will keep drawing more attention and commercial interest worldwide.
Quick facts
- Burman says Punjab Kings would love to own a women’s IPL team at some point.
- WPL currently has three franchise-owned sides from IPL teams: Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals.
- The WPL has five teams and began in 2023.
- BCCI has no immediate plans to add more teams to the WPL.
- Burman holds a 48% stake in Punjab Kings.
- India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, won the women’s ODI World Cup for the first time last year.
At present, the WPL includes five teams, with three of them backed by IPL franchises: Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals. While there is no indication that the board wants to increase the number of squads right away, Burman feels the platform has already proven its value and expects opportunities to grow over time.
Speaking on the league’s trajectory, Burman said the WPL has quickly established itself as a key stage for women’s cricket. He pointed to the rapid rise of the women’s game and described the growth as “fantastic” to witness, emphasising that the league’s momentum has not come by chance.
On the question of whether Punjab Kings would invest immediately, Burman stressed that investment timing depends on how each ownership group assesses opportunities. He underlined that choosing not to act at the earliest moment should not be read as a lack of conviction in women’s cricket.
“Personally, I think the future of the women’s game is extremely bright. We would love to own a women’s IPL team,” Burman said, linking his optimism to what he sees as expanding pathways for the sport. He also suggested that the recent success of the WPL and India’s performances are helping spark fresh interest well beyond the top level.
Burman added that the impact is being felt at grassroots level, where more girls now view women’s cricket as something they can aspire to professionally. He cited the surge in brand value for women cricketers after India’s World Cup triumph and said that visibility is changing how the sport’s future is shaped.
To illustrate the wider momentum, Burman referenced India’s historic run at the women’s ODI World Cup last year, when the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side won the trophy for the first time. He also noted that India is being viewed as a strong contender for the T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to be held next month in England.
From a wider lens, Burman said the quality of cricket, audience interest and commercial response have all exceeded expectations. He singled out the grassroots effect as especially encouraging, arguing that the league is turning new viewers into long-term supporters and participants.
He further explained that young girls today can see women cricketers as major sporting icons and realistic professional athletes. In his view, that shift in perception is crucial because it changes the future of the sport in a direct and lasting way.
Other franchise signals
Punjab Kings is not the only IPL franchise expressing interest in backing women’s cricket. Earlier this year, Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan also spoke about the storied franchise’s willingness to invest in the women’s game.
Viswanathan said CSK would expand its footprint “not immediately” but “certainly in the coming years,” with women’s cricket as its first target. He also suggested that the franchise could explore other sports later, depending on how plans develop.
Those comments align with the board’s current stance. IPL chairman Arun Dhumal had said earlier that there were no immediate plans to add teams to the WPL, explaining that the board wants to consolidate first before deciding on further expansion.
Dhumal’s message was clear: to strengthen the tournament for the time being, the priority is consolidation rather than rapid changes. He reiterated that there were “no immediate plans” to introduce additional teams.
WPL began in 2023 with five teams, and the competition has already produced multiple title winners so far. Mumbai Indians and RCB have won a couple of championships each in the editions played to date.
