WPL Expansion Incoming? DC Owner Parth Jindal Predicts New Teams and Home-Away Thrills
DC’s Parth Jindal hints at 6-7 new WPL teams after India’s ODI World Cup win, as mega auction sees star signings.
Delhi Capitals owner Parth Jindal expressed strong optimism for Women's Premier League expansion during the WPL 2026 auction at JW Marriott, New Delhi on November 27, 2025, stating new teams are "imminent" given the short two-season cycle in 14 months. He linked it to BCCI planning, suggesting 6-7 franchises could introduce a home-and-away format to boost fan engagement and league growth, mirroring IPL evolution. Jindal hailed India's 2025 Women's ODI World Cup win as the "1983 moment" for women's cricket, predicting unprecedented WPL interest.
DC confirmed an Indian Captain for 2026, with South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt (Rs 1.1 crore from base Rs 30 lakh) adding leadership after outbidding RCB in a fierce contest past Rs 90 lakh. Wolvaardt, top World Cup scorer and ex-Gujarat Giants opener, fills gaps left by Meg Lanning's absence. West Indies allrounder Chinelle Henry fetched Rs 1.3 crore in another RCB-DC war from Rs 30 lakh base, bringing new-ball pace and lower-order explosiveness alongside retained Annabel Sutherland.
Shree Charani returned to DC for Rs 1.3 crore amid UP Warriorz rivalry, praised by Mumbai Indians coach Lisa Keightley but secured without RTM eligibility from her 2025 DC stint. Other buys included Sneh Rana (Rs 50 lakh), Lizelle Lee (Rs 30 lakh), and uncapped Deeya Yadav (Rs 10 lakh), complementing retentions: Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Marizanne Kapp, Sutherland, and Niki Prasad. Jindal emphasized deep bowling options with Shafali, Niki, and new additions.
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The mega auction follows BCCI's retention rules allowing up to six players, with WPL shifting to January-February windows from 2026 per ICC FTP, separating from Hundred and WBBL. No immediate expansion confirmed by IPL chairman Arun Dhumal earlier, but Jindal's comments signal momentum post-World Cup visibility surge. Franchises invested in women's cricket three years ago amid skepticism; Jindal credits the "leap of faith" yielding massive returns as viewership explodes.
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