Third edition of WPL set to begin on Friday

Historic city in India hosts Women's Premier League with international stars showcasing skills at modern cricket grounds.

This historic city in western India was the venue for a women’s ODI series when an Australian side came thirsting for revenge.

In the semifinal of the 2017 World Cup at Derby, the Aussies had been stunned by India — by an incredible knock by Harmanpreet Kaur, to be more precise. That innings, 171 not out off 115 balls, would prove a turning point for the women’s game in India.

Many fans in the country discovered that women also played this glorious game. That was evident in the huge turnouts for the ODI series at the Reliance Cricket Stadium here nearly seven years ago. One recalls the full house that came to watch Mithali Raj’s women in blue taking on Meg Lanning’s mighty Australia.

Lanning is back in the city. As are some of her teammates from that series, such as Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner and Jess Jonassen.

They are all here for one of the world’s fastest growing leagues — the Women’s Premier League, the third edition of which kicks off on Friday. But they will showcase their skills at a new venue. The BCA Stadium, where India had hosted the West Indies in a women’s ODI series a couple of months ago, is one of those excellent modern cricket grounds in India.

Over the next week, this stadium, about 25 km away from the city, should witness some fascinating cricket, with many of the planet’s biggest stars turning out for the five franchises. In the opening match, the defending champion Royal Challengers Bengaluru takes on Gujarat Giants, which is playing at home for the first time.

After the Vadodara leg, the league will move to Bengaluru, Lucknow and then Mumbai, where the final will be played on March 15. It should be interesting to watch out not just for some great cricket, but a few stars to emerge as well.