No Chennai Super Kings! Royal Challengers Bangalore among host of IPL franchises to bid for WIPL teams: Report

With D-Day just two days away, it has emerged that four-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will not be bidding for a team in the Women's Indian Premier League (WIPL). CSK and defending champions Gujarat Titans are two IPL franchises who will not take part in the bidding war for a team in Indian cricket's latest baby.

Even Lucknow SuperGiants (LSG) are said to have stayed away

A report by Cricbuzz stated that Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Mumbai Indians (MI), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Rajasthan Royals (RR), and Delhi Capitals (DC) showed up with the documents to venue for the technical bids on Monday (January 23).

While it was earlier believed that RCB have stayed away from the race, it has now emerged that they will take part in the bidding way which will bring massive relief to what is largely regarded as among the loyal and widespread fanbase in the Men's IPL.

The first season of the WIPL which is likely to take place in March this year will have five teams with the owner set to be announced on Wednesday (Janaury 25). It is worth noting that apart from existing IPL teams, other parties will also be bidding for teams. Manchester United owners Glazer family, Halidram, and Infosys are reported to have been among the interested parties.

Last week, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that Viacom18 won the media rights for the inaugural season of the league for a stunning sum that will see them commit to Rs. 951 crore over the next five years (2023-2027). The Rs. 7.09 crore per match valuation of the league makes it the second richest cricket league in the world and also the second most valuable women's franchise league around the globe just behind the Women's National Basketball League (WNBA).