THE Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that the Women’s Premier League (WPL) Season 5 auction will be held on October 28 at the Grand Hyatt Kochi. The information was formally communicated to the five teams on Wednesday before the BCCI issued a media release confirming the same.
The BCCI also confirmed the dates for the 2027 edition, which will be held from January 14 to February 7. Meanwhile, the five teams have until September 28 to decide on the retention and release of their players. Each squad can have up to 18 players, of whom a maximum of six can be overseas players. The salary cap for the current cycle is INR 15 crore.
While the BCCI hasn’t revealed the venues for WPL 2027, it is believed that they have zeroed in on Mumbai and Vadodara. There have been suggestions to hold some matches in Varanasi, where a new stadium is being built, but that remains a remote possibility at this stage.
Sources in the WPL say a decision on hosting matches in Varanasi will depend on the stadium’s preparedness. The venue can host the league only after it has been tested through domestic matches, and at this stage, staging WPL games there is considered a remote possibility.
The CCI in Mumbai and the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara have been identified as the definitive venues. Season 4 was held at these two venues, with the final played in Gujarat city on February 5. Royal Challengers Bengaluru are the defending champions. (Cricbuzz)