WPL 2024 might be played in a bigger window during Diwali next year: BCCI secretary Jay Shah

WPL 2023 was a huge success for the BCCI, with Mumbai Indians winning the inaugural edition.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah has revealed that the Indian board is looking for a Diwali window to conduct the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in 2024. Not only this, but Shah also confirmed that the WPL 2024 will be played in the home-away format.

The inaugural edition of the tournament was held here from March 4-26 across two venues in Mumbai.

But the Board is keen to organize the next edition around October-November. The only problem with this idea is that presently, Cricket Australia organizes the Women's Big Bash League around that time and the Aussie players for a chunk of overseas players in all five teams.

"We Are Mulling The Possibility Of Scheduling The WPL, In The Home And Away Format, In The Diwali Window; Not Two Seasons In A Year But Just A Different Time Window. Women's Cricket Now Has A Dedicated Audience Base And This Number Will Only Keep Growing As We Expect An Encouraging Turnout At The Next WPL,” Shah was quoted as saying by India Today.

The Board secretary was pleased with the fact that the Board has managed to get a 2.5-month-long window reserved for the IPL in the future.

"The BCCI Has Ensured The Biggest Window In The FTP Cycle To Be Reserved For The IPL. This Comes As One Of The Biggest Achievements To Extend The Window Of The IPL From 2 To 2.5 Months," Shah said.

New National Cricket Academy (NCA) to be ready by July-Aug 2024

During the same media interaction, Shah also revealed tha the new National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru will be ready by July-August 2024. The new facility will be spread on a 40-acre land parcel and will replace the existing one adjoining the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

"One Of BCCI's Pet Projects Has Been The Construction Of A New NCA In Bengaluru On A 40-Acre Land Parcel To Replace The Existing One Adjoining The M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The New NCA Will Have About 40 Pitches With 20 Having Floodlight Facility, A 16,000 Square Feet Gymnasium And A Host Of Other World-Class Facilities Including A Residential Block To Ensure All-Round Holistic Development. The Board Has Already Secured Land On Lease From KIADB For A Period Of 99 Years. The New NCA Will Be A Centre Of Excellence Which Will Be Ready In July-August 2024," Shah said.