India women’s vice-captain Smriti Mandhana believes the Women’s Premier League (WPL) is beginning to replicate the same impact that the Indian Premier League (IPL) has had on men’s cricket in the country since its inception on this very day in 2008.

“For sure, in the last three years, we have seen the way WPL has grown as well, and the amount of girls coming out to watch WPL matches. I think 4-5 years back, you would see a lot of guys watching games in the stands. But now I think we see a clear shift in a lot of even girls coming [to see games].