Punjab Kings co-owner Mohit Burman has raised the possibility of the franchise starting a Women’s Premier League (WPL) team.
Currently, the WPL consists of five teams – Royal Challengers Bangalore, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, UP Warriors and Gujarat Giants. The first three are owned by the same ownership group that owns their respective IPL counterparts.
With a mega auction held last year for the WPL, it seems unlikely that there will be any expansion within the next year or two. IPL Governing Council Chairman Arun Singh Dhumal had told this to PTI last year.
“We would love to own a WPL team” – Mohit Barman
Punjab Kings co-owner Mohit Burman spoke to PTI about the possibility of expanding the franchise in the WPL. Like many other IPL teams, the ownership group of PBKS also owns teams in T20 leagues in countries outside India. He is the owner of the Saint Lucia Kings in the Caribbean Premier League.
“The WPL has established itself as an important platform for the women’s game in a very short time. The growth of women’s cricket has been phenomenal,” Burman told PTI.
“As far as investment decisions are concerned, each group evaluates opportunities differently based on timing, strategic priorities and long-term business considerations. Not investing early should not be interpreted as a lack of confidence in women’s cricket.
“Personally, I think the future of the women’s game is extremely bright. We would love to own a women’s IPL team,” she said.
“The quality of cricket has exceeded expectations in many ways” – Burman
The PBKS co-owner talked about both the increase in quality and commercial appeal of women’s cricket, especially after the introduction of the WPL.
The WPL started in 2023 and has had four seasons since then. Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore have won the tournament twice each, while Delhi Capitals have finished as runners-up in all four editions.
In November 2025, India won the Women’s ODI World Cup held on home ground and Harmanpreet Kaur led the team. She is also set to lead the team in the Women’s T20 World Cup in England next month.
Burman said, “The quality of the cricket, audience interest and commercial response have all exceeded expectations in many ways. What is particularly encouraging is the impact it has had at grassroots level.”
“Young girls today can look to female cricketers as major sporting icons and viable professional athletes and that completely changes the future of the game,” she said.
Also read: ‘Arshdeep Singh has been aggressive’: PBKS coach breaks silence on off-field controversies
punjab kings in ipl 2026
While the opportunity to own a WPL team is a thing of the future, the Punjab Kings have more important matters to attend to in IPL 2026.
After 6 wins and no result in their first 7 matches, Punjab Kings have lost 6 in a row. Punjab had 13 points after 7 matches and now they have 13 points in 13 matches.
Punjab Kings have one match left in the league stage of IPL this year. They will face Lucknow Super Giants on May 23 in Lucknow. Apart from winning that match, PBKS also needs other results to qualify for the playoffs.
