‘Hope WPL does for us what IPL did for men’

MUMBAI: The current generation of women cricketers are very fortunate. As the first batch of the Women’s Premier League, they have found big money and the stage to shine.

The product they had all dreamt of is here — Women’s Premier League. The franchise owners and sponsors have bought into the idea that it will be a hit. The onus is now on the players to provide the cricketainment to woo the audience.

All eyes are on who will provide the spark like how Brendon McCullum set IPL rolling with a blazing century. And Smriti Mandhana is a good bet to give the fillip WPL needs. Ultimately, the backing of the market will depend on the quality on offer.

“I feel women’s cricket is on the verge of going to the next level. I wouldn’t compare with men’s cricket or that sort, but to be involved from the time it (sport) is growing — I feel that is the USP of women’s cricket because everyone can say we were part of the journey that got women’s cricket higher. Like I would say the 1983 World Cup victory changed men’s cricket. Whoever was cheering for them will be thinking ‘we actually supported men’s cricket to grow, to reach this level’. Women’s cricket is at the stage where people can connect more with us because we are still growing; we want to grow to a level where everyone knows us. And whoever supports women’s cricket will get involved in this journey,” RCB skipper Mandhana said ahead of Sunday’s first game against Delhi Capitals.

The star left-hand bat said women cricketers had unique skills to offer. “It is still very raw (women’s game). There is more swing I would say, and there’s more timing involved than power.”

Mandhana wears jersey No 18 like Virat Kohli does for the RCB men.

On Saturday, at her pre-tournament news conference, journalists made a beeline for interviews. “As women cricketers, we always wished this happened to us,” she said with a chuckle. “(But) I wouldn’t say I am in the spotlight... I just feel normal, chilling, enjoying playing cricket.”

She was the most expensive