WPL Auction 2023: The inaugural Women’s IPL auction has hit another block. Initially, it was going to happen on 6 February. The WPL franchise requested to shift the auction to a later date. 4 of the 5 WPL owners have teams in the ILT20, which is scheduled to conclude on February 12. BCCI is taking their concerns into consideration and will confirm the date and venue of the WPL auction in the next 48 hours.

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WPL Auction 2023: BCCI is discussing the dates

“BCCI is discussing the dates but February 11 (Saturday) and 13 (Monday) have been shortlisted. February 13 would be a convenient date for most of the franchises,” a WPL team representative told Cricbuzz.

The inaugural WPL season could be played entirely in Mumbai to ease players' travel schedules immediately following the T20 World Cup

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) February 1, 2023

Franchise owners request a date change

As per multiple reports, the BCCI postponed the inaugural WPL auction to the second week of February. The BCCI had initially planned the auction for February 6. But the franchise owners have requested a change in the date. The Indian Cricket Board has currently selected Delhi and Mumbai as the two venues for February 11 and February 13 respectively.

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Four out of five WPL team owners have franchises in ILT20

The reason behind the delay is that four out of five WPL team owners have franchises in ILT20. Also, there are teams from Delhi and Mumbai in SA20. Both leagues will conclude on February 12 and 13. Meanwhile, the Indian Cricket Board found it difficult to find hotels in view of the wedding season in India. BCCI has booked hotels in Delhi (11 February) and Mumbai (13 February). The date and venue are expected to be decided in the next 48 hours.

Why WPL Auction 2023 Postponed?

• The BCCI had earlier fixed the date of the auction on February 6.
• However, the franchisees have requested that the BCCI is ready to take a call in 48 hours.
• Four of the five WPL teams feature in the ILT20.
• The ILT20 final is scheduled to take place on February 12.
• Furthermore, the owners had little time to choose their coaching staff.
• As of now, only Gujarat Giants have confirmed the inclusion of Mithali Raj as a mentor.
• BCCI will conduct an auction like this in Delhi on 11th February or in Mumbai on 13th February

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Another reason for the delay

Another reason for the delay is that the franchisees hardly have time to choose their support staff. The BCCI announced the WPL teams on January 25 and it has been less than a week for the franchises to pick their personnel. With the support staff key in deciding the auction table, the BCCI has to accede to the franchise’s request.

BCCI has fixed the window of March 4 to March 26 for the women’s IPL

The auction, which will be held in the second week, will leave the franchisees three weeks before the start of the season. The BCCI has fixed a window of March 4 to March 26 for the women’s IPL. Mumbai is likely to host all the games in three stadiums like the 2022 IPL where Pune also hosted a handful of games.

Adani Sportsline and Capri Global meanwhile are new entrants to the Indian franchise cricket model

Viacom18 bought the media rights of WPL for Rs 951 crore. In terms of teams, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Delhi Capitals have made the jump from IPL. Adani Sportsline and Capri Global meanwhile are new entrants to the Indian franchise cricket model.