WPL 4 likely to be played in January 2026

NEW CHANDIGARH: The fourth season of the Women's Premier League is set to be held in January 2026, TOI has learnt. Normally, the WPL is held in the Feb-March window, but this time, the five-team tournament's scheduling is likely to be advanced to ensure that it's completed before the men's 2026 T20 World Cup, which will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February-March next year.

"The tournament is likely to start on Jan 6 or Jan 8, 2026" a source told TOI. The tournament being advanced also means that the auction of WPL, which is normally held in Dec, could be held in Nov this time.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Mumbai Indians are the defending champions of the WPL. They beat Delhi Capitals by eight runs in the final at the Brabourne Stadium on March 15. MI also won the inaugural edition of the WPL in March 2023 when they beat DC by seven wickets at the Brabourne Stadium.

The WPL will serve as a good preparation for India's cricketers the Women's T20 World Cup in June-July.2024 champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz are the other teams in the WPL. On Saturday, ahead of the opening ODI between India and Australia at the PCA Mullanpur Stadium here, India women's team captain Harmanpreet Kaur had hailed the WPL for the way the Indian youngsters have come through in recent times.

"They’ve (Team India's young women cricketers) been very exciting. Four or five years ago, there was a big gap between domestic and international cricket. But in the last five–six years, with back-to-back matches being telecast, young girls are much better prepared. Players like Kranti (Goud) and Pratika (Rawal) came in looking ready, not like they needed extra time. That’s a huge positive. The WPL has also played a big role in closing that gap.

I just hope they keep performing this way," Harmanpreet said.After the Indian women’s team won their first-ever T20I series against England this summer, head coach Amol Muzumdar has credited India’s accomplishment to the WPL, claiming the tournament had played an “integral part” in the progress of the players.“WPL has been an integral part of the progress of the players. There’s no doubt about it. But there are other tournaments as well in India which we really have a good look at. There are so many domestic players playing. WPL is just a part of the initiative of the BCCI. So, I think it’s been a happy hunting ground for us, the WPL. But at the same time, there are other tournaments which also take the importance,” Muzumdar had said after India lost the fifth and last T20I by five wickets but won the series 3-2.