IPL Owners Eye Expansion: Punjab Kings Stakeholder Interested in WPL Team

The Growing Appeal of the Women’s Premier League

Women’s cricket has witnessed a meteoric rise over the past few years, a trajectory that accelerated significantly with the inception of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in 2023. This growth was further solidified by India’s historic World Cup victory on home soil in 2025, a watershed moment that captured the imagination of the nation and brought unprecedented global attention to the women’s game.

With a surge of talent emerging from the domestic circuit and a burgeoning fan base, it seems inevitable that the WPL will eventually transition from its current five-team format. While official expansion news is still pending, the appetite for investment is already becoming clear, particularly among established IPL franchise owners.

Mohit Burman Signals Interest

The latest voice to join the conversation is Mohit Burman, the Indian businessman who holds a 48 percent stake in the Punjab Kings. Burman has openly praised the BCCI for creating a robust platform for female athletes and has confirmed his interest in expanding his sporting portfolio into the women’s circuit.

“The WPL has already established itself as an important platform for the women’s game in a very short period of time. The growth of women’s cricket has been fantastic to witness,” Burman stated in a recent interview. He emphasized that business decisions regarding investment are based on a variety of strategic factors, including timing and long-term considerations. He clarified that any previous absence from the women’s league should not be misconstrued as a lack of confidence in the product. “Personally, I think the future of the women’s game is extremely bright. We would love to own a women’s IPL team,” he added.

The Current Landscape of the WPL

The WPL is currently comprised of five teams, with three of those franchises owned by groups that also operate in the Indian Premier League. The competitive balance has been notable, with the Mumbai Indians and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru securing two titles each, while the Delhi Capitals have consistently demonstrated their dominance by reaching every final since the league’s inception.

Despite clear interest from figures like Burman, the BCCI has maintained a cautious approach. IPL chairman Arun Dhumal has indicated that the board is prioritizing consolidation over immediate expansion. “To further strengthen this tournament for the time being, we want to consolidate before we take a call on further addition of any team. There are no immediate plans [to add new teams],” Dhumal noted.

Transforming Indian Women’s Cricket

For years, the Indian women’s team has been a formidable force, consistently ranking among the top international sides and frequently reaching the knockout stages of ICC events. However, the introduction of the WPL has acted as a catalyst for professional development. By drawing inspiration from the success of Australia’s Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL)—which has been a model for talent development since 2015—the WPL is now providing Indian players with similar exposure to high-pressure environments and world-class standards.

The impact of this league is already visible. Players credit the intense competition of the WPL for their ability to maintain composure during crunch moments, a quality that was on full display during the 2025 World Cup campaign. The integration of international stars into domestic dressing rooms has accelerated the grooming process for younger players, mirroring the successful blueprint seen in men’s cricket. As other leagues like The Hundred, the Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL), and the upcoming Women’s Bangladesh Premier League (WBPL) continue to develop, the global infrastructure for women’s cricket is stronger than ever. The interest from prominent business figures only serves to reinforce the belief that the WPL is a cornerstone of the future of the sport in India.