Multiple Women's Premier League matches likely to be played behind closed doors this week; here's why – Firstpost
The Women’s Premier League faces the possibility of matches being played behind closed doors in Navi Mumbai this week due to municipal corporation elections in the city. According to a report on ESPNCricinfo, Navi Mumbai police have informed the BCCI that they will not be able to provide security for the WPL on Thursday, 15 January – the day of the election.
UP Warriorz likely to play back-to-back fixtures without fans
The election, however, could also force other games to take place behind closed doors, with fixtures on Wednesday and Friday also possibly affected. Delhi Capitals face UP Warriorz on Wednesday with the latter facing defending champions Mumbai Indians on Thursday, the day municipal corporation elections take place in Mumbai as well as Navi Mumbai.
Friday’s fixture at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai pits current leaders Gujarat Giants against 2024 winners Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The WPL additionally has not put tickets for the three aforementioned fixtures on sale on its official online platform.
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The schedule for the fourth season of the Women's Premier League had been unveiled on 29 November while that of the municipal corporation elections was announced on 15 December, exactly a month in advance. The report adds that the WPL committee was informed about the election date.
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The BCCI, however, is yet to make an official announcement on the matches taking place behind closed doors.
WPL 2026 got underway last Friday with RCB defeating two-time champions MI by three wickets in a match that went down to the final delivery. MI, however, bounced back the very next day with a 50-run thrashing of Delhi Capitals, the franchise that had finished runners-up in each of the three previous seasons under Meg Lanning’s leadership and are now captained by Jemimah Rodrigues.
The DY Patil Stadium, which had hosted key fixtures in the ICC Women's World Cup recently including the final, was sold out for the season opener between RCB and MI, and had also attracted a decent turnout for the fixtures over the weekend.
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