Mumbai, Maharashtra – The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) is expanding its footprint in domestic T20 cricket with the launch of a women’s league alongside the established men’s competition. The move, unveiled on Saturday, aims to provide a crucial platform for emerging female cricketers in the region and build on the success of the men’s T20 Mumbai League, which has already seen players progress to higher levels of the game.
Indian captain and Mumbai native Rohit Sharma, who serves as the face of the T20 Mumbai League, was present at the launch event in Mumbai to unveil the trophies for both the men’s and women’s editions. The men’s league will continue with its eight-team format, while the inaugural women’s league will begin with three teams operated by PRS Infraprojects LLP, Roadway Solution India Infra Ltd and World Star Sporting Private Limited. The timing of both tournaments is planned to follow immediately after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Expanding Opportunities for Women in Cricket
The addition of a women’s league marks a significant step forward for cricket in Mumbai, addressing a growing demand for more opportunities for female athletes. “Mumbai has always been a city that lives and breathes cricket, and it means a lot to see a dedicated platform now being created for women as well,” said Mumbai allrounder Sayali Satghare, who recently made her Test debut for India in Australia and won the Women’s Premier League (WPL) with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Satghare emphasized the potential of the league to inspire a new generation of cricketers, stating that it will “give many young girls the opportunity to dream bigger, compete at a high level and believe that they too can represent Mumbai and India one day.”
Sharma Highlights League’s Impact on Player Development
Rohit Sharma underscored the T20 Mumbai League’s role in nurturing talent, noting its track record of identifying and developing players who have gone on to represent both IPL franchises and the Indian national team. “I’m very happy with how Mumbai cricket is shaping up – not just in the IPL team, but also with what the T20 Mumbai League has done for many young cricketers,” Sharma said. “We saw so many cricketers who played in the T20 Mumbai now go on to play for IPL teams and the national team as well. It is a big platform.” He acknowledged the challenges of organizing the league, praising the MCA for its efforts in bringing it back after a six-year hiatus.
The men’s league concluded its third season in June 2025, with the Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals, led by Siddhesh Lad, claiming the title after defeating SoBo Mumbai Falcons, captained by Shreyas Iyer, at the Wankhede Stadium on June 12th. The tournament featured several prominent players, including Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, and emerging talents like Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Musheer Khan.
IPL Schedule and Tournament Timelines
The MCA has yet to announce the official schedule for either the men’s or women’s T20 Mumbai League. However, it is anticipated that the fixtures will be released in conjunction with the full IPL schedule. Currently, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has only announced the first 20 matches of the IPL, scheduled from March 28 to April 12, due to upcoming elections in several states, including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Assam – all home venues for IPL teams. The remaining IPL fixtures will be finalized once the Election Commission of India confirms the election dates in those regions. Newsable reports that the MCA is aiming to run both leagues concurrently following the IPL season.
The launch of the women’s T20 Mumbai League represents a significant investment in the future of women’s cricket in the region. As the league prepares for its inaugural season, the focus will be on providing a competitive and developmental environment for aspiring female cricketers, building on the established foundation of the men’s league and leveraging the expertise of the MCA. The coming months will be crucial as the MCA finalizes the schedule and prepares to welcome a new era of T20 cricket in Mumbai.
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