{"id":1172,"date":"2026-02-04T15:03:56","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T09:33:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cricbex.com\/story\/?post_type=news&#038;p=1172"},"modified":"2026-02-04T15:03:59","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T09:33:59","slug":"csk-targets-wpl-entry-womens-cricket","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/cricbex.com\/story\/news\/csk-targets-wpl-entry-womens-cricket\/","title":{"rendered":"CSK Targets WPL Entry as Womens Cricket Becomes Priority"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chennai Super Kings, one of the most iconic and successful franchises in Indian cricket, has officially confirmed their intention to enter women\u2019s cricket in the coming years.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After staying away from the Women\u2019s Premier League since its launch in 2023, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan has stated that women\u2019s cricket is now the franchise\u2019s top priority for expansion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Speaking at the Invest in Tamil Nadu conclave, Viswanathan made it clear that while CSK will not join the WPL immediately, concrete plans are already in motion.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He described women\u2019s cricket as the first focus area in CSK\u2019s future roadmap, underlining the franchise\u2019s long-term commitment rather than a rushed entry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Women\u2019s cricket in India has witnessed rapid growth over the last few years. The introduction of the WPL in 2023 changed the landscape of the sport, while India\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/cricbex.com\/story\/women-cricket-teams-with-most-icc-tournament\/\">Women\u2019s ODI World Cup<\/a> triumph in 2025 further accelerated its popularity.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Players such as Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana have become household names, and the league\u2019s television viewership has surpassed several major global sporting competitions within India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Currently, the WPL consists of five teams: Mumbai Indians,&nbsp; Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants, and UP Warriorz. Several major IPL franchises, including CSK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Sunrisers Hyderabad are yet to field women\u2019s teams. However, this could change soon as discussions around league expansion gather pace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During the 2025 WPL auction, Delhi Capitals co-owner Parth Jindal revealed that the BCCI is actively considering adding new teams and moving towards a full home and away format.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He pointed out that the current caravan-style model and short tournament window are limiting factors and expressed hope for a longer and more structured season in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">CSK\u2019s interest aligns perfectly with this phase of growth. The franchise already operates successfully across multiple leagues, including the IPL SA20 and Major League Cricket, through the Texas Super Kings.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Entering the WPL would complete their global cricket ecosystem and allow the brand to extend its legacy into the women\u2019s game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With the WPL set for potential expansion beyond the 2026 season, CSK\u2019s eventual entry could significantly boost the league\u2019s commercial value, fan engagement, and regional reach.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While no official timeline has been announced, the message from CSK\u2019s leadership is clear. The franchise is preparing carefully and waiting for the right moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When CSK finally steps into the WPL, it is expected to be more than just the addition of another team. It could mark a major turning point in the growth and stability of women\u2019s cricket in India.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":1173,"template":"","tags":[633,632,631],"ppma_author":[488],"class_list":["post-1172","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-csk-womens-cricket-plans","tag-csk-wpl-entry","tag-womens-premier-league-expansion"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cricbex.com\/story\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/1172","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cricbex.com\/story\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cricbex.com\/story\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cricbex.com\/story\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cricbex.com\/story\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1173"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cricbex.com\/story\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1172"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cricbex.com\/story\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1172"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cricbex.com\/story\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=1172"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}