The Women’s Premier League (WPL) is likely to witness a major disruption in its Navi Mumbai leg, with matches at the DY Patil Sports Academy potentially being held behind closed doors due to the Navi Mumbai municipal corporation elections scheduled for January 15.
According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, the local police have informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that they will be unable to provide adequate security for a high-profile cricket match on the same day as the civic polls. As a result, the January 15 clash between defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) and UP Warriorz (UPW) is expected to take place without spectators.
Uncertainty also looms over the matches scheduled on January 14 and January 16, with officials yet to confirm whether these fixtures will be open to fans or also conducted behind closed doors. Reflecting this ambiguity, the official WPL online ticketing platform has not listed tickets for matches on these three dates.
The affected fixtures are likely to include:
- Delhi Capitals vs UP Warriorz on January 14
- Mumbai Indians vs UP Warriorz on January 15
- Gujarat Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru on January 16
All three matches are slated to be played at the DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.
In contrast, tickets are currently available for the double-header scheduled on January 17 at the DY Patil Stadium, featuring MI vs UP Warriorz followed by Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru. After these fixtures, the WPL will shift base to Vadodara, where the remainder of the season will be held.
The possible decision to bar spectators comes despite an encouraging start to the tournament. The opening match of the WPL drew a near-capacity crowd, while the weekend double-headers also recorded strong attendance, underlining the league’s growing popularity among fans.
On the field, Gujarat Giants currently sit atop the WPL points table with two wins, while Mumbai Indians, the defending champions, occupy second place as the competition gathers momentum.
A final call on spectator entry for the affected matches is expected once coordination between the BCCI, local administration, and police authorities is concluded.