The Madhya Pradesh League (MPL) which was a roaring success in its first year, has expanded to include teams from Chambal and Bundelkhand in its second edition. The Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium at Shankarpur, Gwalior, will host the Madhya Pradesh League’s newest season, which is scheduled to start on June 12.
The town will soon field teams in both men’s and women’s divisions, making the Chambal Ghariyals (alligators) the newest team to join the expanding Madhya Pradesh state T20 league.
Bundelkhand Bulls and Chambhal Ghariyals are the newest addition to the league and will have both men’s and women’s teams. The men’s competition, which featured five teams last season, has now been expanded to seven.
The MPL is set to launch its inaugural Women’s Cricket League in 2025, marking a significant milestone for women’s sports in the state. This women’s edition will run concurrently with the men’s tournament, expanding the reach and inclusivity of the competition.
This is the inaugural season for the women’s league, representing a major step forward in providing a platform for female cricketers in Madhya Pradesh and promoting grassroots development. The tournament aims to showcase and nurture emerging talent from across the state, with a focus on player rotation and workload management.
The inaugural Women’s MPL will feature a blend of established national players and promising local talent. Some of the most notable cricketers set to participate are Soumya Tiwari, Shuchi Upadhyay, Anushka Sharma, Vaishnavi Sharma, Ayushi Shukla, Sanskriti Gupta, Kranti Goud. Some other noteworthy names to feature in the league are Jincy George, Anadi Tagde, Sanjana Awase and Suhani Sharma.
Let’s have a look at the distribution of icon players in the Women’s MPL starting with Bundelkhand Bulls signing Anushka Sharma, Vaishnavi Sharma, Ayushi Shukla, Jincy George also Chambal Ghariyals featuring Shuchi Upadhyay, Soumya Tiwari and Bhopal Wolves featuring Sanskriti Gupta, Kranti Goud.
Mahanaaryaman Scindia, the MP cricket chief, says, “Gwalior holds a special place in the hearts of our players and fans, and we are thrilled to return here. With two new men’s teams and the introduction of our inaugural Women’s League, we’re proud to expand opportunities for talent across Madhya Pradesh.”
Madhya Pradesh League (MPL) CEO Ravi Patankar talking about the date and tournament said, “We are pleased to confirm that all logistical preparations for the venue shift have been successfully completed. With the new start date firmly in place, we look forward to delivering an exciting and seamless tournament for players and fans alike.”
The jersey unveiling ceremony will also take place in Gwalior on May 27. The first women’s games will feature three teams in action, one of which will represent Bhopal, the capital, with a lot of interest in the Chambal and Bundelkhand teams as well.
