WPL 2024 was certainly one of the most exciting tournaments, exhibiting women cricketers at their best and high levels of skill, unflinching determination, and true sportsmanship. Five teams in contention at this marquee event produced some really serious matches, shocking outcomes, and brilliant individual performances. This pitted established international players against newer talent that was promising, fighting tooth and nail for the title and giving fans a very special cricket spectacle to remember for a very long time. Explore how the Women's Premier League is positively impacting women's cricket both in India and globally. Discover the changes it has brought about in the sport’s landscape. Raise the Standard of Women's Cricket Prior to this, planning with women's cricket was not done with an equal attention and they were not given the respect that they deserve in comparison to the men's game. The WPL put everything in an appropriate perspective; the same as the men, a platform for flourishing talents for women cricketers on the field, and the raised standards and attention towards women's cricket at the national and international level. Reaching New Audiences Image Source- Women Cricket The excitement and competitiveness of WPL have captured the imagination of fans across the spectrum. There are traditional male cricket followers who are watching women play for the first time, and then there's, of course, a new breed of fans who are lapping up this new-found glory. In many ways, WPL has already achieved the first objective it had when it started: expanding the overall viewership of cricket. The other factor that makes the WPL successful is its potential for a large following, exactly the way the IPL was. Cricket enthusiasts who had an interest in the IPL were supposed to follow the WPL since most of the franchises are shared. This prebuilt interest has provided WPL with a ready market, and it has grown very quickly. Also Read | Top 10 Players with Most Career Runs in Women T20Is Inspiring the Next Generation The success of WPL has triggered a desire to consider cricket as a serious sport for some young girls in many parts of India and globally. To see their gender doing well as role models in a sports event had driven interest among many to pursue sports dreams. The WPL is more of a tournament and a movement through which young girls get to believe in themselves. Popularity Surge & Revenue Channels The WPL has garnered a lot of attention from sponsors and advertisers too, who are aware of the commercial possibilities of women's cricket. The success of the league has increased investment in women's sports globally, and this eventually will lead to better infrastructure, better training facilities and other facilities provided to women athletes. Image Source- Hindustan Times It was reported by Forbes that more than $572 million in investments had been attracted to the league even before it launched. Notably, $116 million was invested in acquiring the league's media rights for the next five years, making it the second most costly media rights deal in women's sports history. It has also managed to attract international participation from all corners of the globe and enhanced the standard of competition, evoking a feeling of brotherhood across the globe. This international participation has not only enhanced the level of competition but also increased the reach of women's cricket, making the sport more cosmopolitan and diversified. The bidding process for the Women's Premier League reached significant heights, with bids for some top players reaching upto 2-3 crores. This figure is a testament to how much the WPL has grown as an event and elevated its status within the cricketing world. Changing Perceptions and Breaking Barriers The most significant impact of the WPL is how it has shifted perceptions. It has shown that women's cricket can be just as exciting, competitive, and commercially successful as men's cricket. This change highlights the need for women in sports to be treated equally, with the same level of recognition, support, and opportunity as their male counterparts. By showcasing high-quality competition, the WPL has set a new standard, proving that women's sports deserve the same respect and attention as men's, paving the way for greater equality in the future. Also Read | Top 12 Women Cricketers With Most Hundreds in ODI