The 2025 Women’s Premier League (WPL) is set to deliver an exhilarating season of cricket, kicking off on February 14, 2025. With matches scheduled across four major cities in India, the tournament promises to be a thrilling showcase of talent and competition. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the WPL 2025 schedule, key matchups, and what fans can expect from this year’s edition.
WPL 2025 Overview
Women’s Premier League is also known as WPL or IPL for Women Twenty20 cricket, which has been endorsed and initiated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). It started with the 2025 season and this is its third edition that will have five teams fighting for the championship. The round robin system will be played at two levels, this means that every team in the tournament will have to play against the other at two different occasions. There will be playoffs where only the best three teams will compete and the final winners will be crowned the best team.
Key Dates
- Start Date: February 14, 2025
- End Date: March 15, 2025 (Final)
- Total Matches: 22
WPL 2025 Schedule Breakdown
The WPL 2025 tournament will kick off at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara, where the Gujarat Giants (GG) will face off against the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Below is a detailed breakdown of the schedule:
Baroda Leg
The opening leg of the tournament will take place in Vadodara, featuring several exciting matchups:
| Date | Fixture | Venue |
| February 14 | Gujarat Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Vadodara |
| February 15 | Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals | Vadodara |
| February 16 | Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz | Vadodara |
| February 17 | Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Vadodara |
| February 18 | Gujarat Giants vs Mumbai Indians | Vadodara |
| February 19 | UP Warriorz vs Delhi Capitals | Vadodara |
This leg sets the tone for an exciting tournament as teams vie for early points and momentum.
Bengaluru Leg
After Vadodara, the action shifts to Bengaluru, known for its passionate cricket fans:
| Date | Fixture | Venue |
| February 21 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Mumbai Indians | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium |
| February 22 | Delhi Capitals vs UP Warriorz | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium |
| February 24 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs UP Warriorz | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium |
| February 25 | Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Giants | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium |
| February 26 | Mumbai Indians vs UP Warriorz | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium |
| February 27 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Giants | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium |
| March 1 | Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium |
This leg promises high-octane matches as RCB looks to defend their title against formidable opponents.
Lucknow Leg
The tournament will then make its debut in Lucknow, adding another vibrant venue to the mix:
| Date | Fixture | Venue |
| March 3 | UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants | Lucknow |
| March 6 | UP Warriorz vs Mumbai Indians | Lucknow |
| March 7 | Gujarat Giants vs Delhi Capitals | Lucknow |
| March 8 | UP Warriorz vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Lucknow |
Lucknow’s enthusiastic crowd is expected to create an electrifying atmosphere for these matches.
Final Phase in Mumbai
The concluding matches will take place in Mumbai, home to one of the most iconic cricket stadiums:
| Date | Fixture | Venue |
| March 10 | Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Giants | CCI, Mumbai |
| March 11 | Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | CCI, Mumbai |
| March 13 | Eliminator (2nd vs 3rd place) | CCI, Mumbai |
| March 15 | Final | CCI, Mumbai |
Mumbai’s cricketing legacy adds an extra layer of excitement as teams battle for supremacy.
Tournament Format
The format for WPL 2025 is designed to maximize excitement and competition:
- Each team plays every other team twice.
- Points are awarded for wins and ties.
- The top three teams qualify for playoffs.
- The team with the highest points earns a direct berth in the final.
- The second and third-placed teams compete in an Eliminator for a spot in the final.
This structure ensures that every match counts and keeps fans on the edge of their seats throughout the tournament.
Star Players to Watch
WPL 2025 will surely have the most talented players in women’s cricket. Fans can look forward to seeing star players like:
- Smriti Mandhana (RCB): An effective uncover player was a right-handed batswomen, well-known for using her aggression on the field.
- Harmanpreet Kaur (Mumbai Indians): A very experienced all rounder as any cricket fan would know.
- Shafali Verma (Delhi Capitals): A young player that has the ability to take a game away with her aggressive style of play.
- Sophie Ecclestone (UP Warriorz): She is currently, arguably one of the best bowlers available to women’s cricket.
These players stand qualified to be huge influences in their various teams’ operations.
Conclusion
As the crowd eagerly waits for the start of WPL 2025, all can expect a variety and intensity in the matches between some of the most gifted women’s cricket teams in India. This year’s league is even more interesting to watch, as games are due to be held in four cities and 22 games in total. So set your watches and make a note of the 14th of February so that you can see all the raw talent in live cricket.
