CSK is not part of the WPL because the franchise chose not to participate in the initial bidding process, calling it a strategic business decision. Team officials confirmed they did not purchase the WPL tender and preferred to focus resources on existing commitments, including their men’s team and other franchise investments. While CSK has not ruled out a future entry, the management opted to wait and assess the league’s early seasons before making a long-term commitment.
Why Is CSK Not in WPL?
Chennai Super Kings currently has no WPL team. The five-time IPL champions didn’t even bother to make a bid for the teams during the inaugural phase of the tournament.
But certainly, the CSK fans want to know why CSK is not in WPL. It’s not like the team has not branched out; it’s franchises in other leagues. Ever since the idea of having multiple franchises around the globe has been floated, CSK has been at the centre of it all.
They were one of the pioneers who bought a team in the SA20 of South Africa and bought a franchise named Joburg Super Kings. Following that, they were also the first ones to show interest in the Major League Cricket of the USA, and bought the team called Texas Super Kings.
Hence, the reason behind why there’s no CSK WPL team seems a little unclear. But surely there’s more than what meets the eye, and we will uncover it in this article.
Before we do that, let’s understand what exactly WPL is and how it works!
What Is the WPL, and How Were Teams Selected?
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) is India’s elite franchise-based women’s T20 tournament, launched by the BCCI in 2023. It was created to give professional women’s cricket a strong domestic platform similar to the IPL.
The league began with five franchises, all awarded through a sealed bidding process in which interested companies purchased the Invitation to Tender (ITT) and submitted financial bids for specific city-based teams. BCCI evaluated the bids and selected five winners, each receiving a long-term franchise agreement.
After ownership was finalised, the board conducted a player auction, where teams used a fixed purse to build their squads with both domestic and international cricketers. This system helped ensure competitive balance and clear spending rules from the start.
Current WPL Teams and Owners
| Team | City/Region | Owner | Ownership Group |
| Mumbai Indians (WPL) | Mumbai | Indiawin Sports | Reliance Industries |
| Delhi Capitals (WPL) | Delhi | JSW–GMR Cricket | JSW Sports & GMR Group |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru (WPL) | Bengaluru | Royal Challengers Sports Pvt. Ltd. | United Spirits (Diageo) |
| Gujarat Giants | Ahmedabad | Adani Sportsline | Adani Group |
| UP Warriorz | Lucknow | Capri Global Holdings | Capri Global |
Why CSK Did Not Bid for a WPL Team
The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) opted out of acquiring a franchise in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) after the initial Invitation to Tender (ITT), citing a deliberate “strategic business call”.
Unlike several other IPL franchises, CSK did not submit a bid, signalling that the decision was driven by internal priorities rather than mere hesitation. Among the reasons reported was the franchise’s choice to focus resources on its men’s team and other existing interests rather than diverting capital into a nascent women’s competition.
While the WPL gains momentum, CSK appears to be taking a measured approach: evaluating the league’s early seasons and commercial model before joining, rather than rushing into a buy-in.
CSK’s Strategy: Why the Franchise Focused on Other Leagues Instead of WPL
The reason behind CSK’s absence from the WPL has nothing to do with the league in itself. There’s no reason to believe that Chennai Super Kings don’t believe in the future of women’s cricket in India.
Instead, their global acquisitions stem from the ambition of long-term global strategy. When they entered SA20, and acquired Joburg Super Kings, CEO Kasi Viswanathan explained that the franchise was “looking for opportunities to play in other leagues,” adding that these ventures help CSK “grow as a global cricketing brand.” (NDTV Sports).
Similarly, their presence in the MLC is also driven by the same motive. CSK officials described the American market as a “high-potential growth space” where early entry allows the franchise to shape fan culture and establish brand loyalty ahead of other IPL teams.
Key reasons CSK expanded abroad:
Brand Globalisation: Building CSK into a worldwide cricket brand rather than staying India-centric.
Emerging Markets: Strategic entry into regions like the USA and South Africa where cricket is expanding and competition is limited.
First-Mover Advantage: Establishing their footprint early in markets with long-term commercial upside.
Revenue Diversification: Reducing reliance on IPL earnings by tapping into new sponsorship, broadcast, and fan-community streams.
These choices show that CSK prioritises measured, high-growth opportunities — which helps explain why they waited before committing to a WPL franchise.
Could CSK Join the WPL in the Future?
The Women’s Premier League has grown several folds in the past three years. Fans have received it with open hearts, and has made it a major success. And with the growth of this tournament, the chatter around CSK owning a team in this tournament has grown manifolds too.
Last year in August, it was reported that CSK’s management was “studying the financial viability and experiences of other franchises” before committing to a WPL bid. Fast forward to a year, and with Rupa Gurunath on the board of CSK’s parent company (CSKCL), there are signals of renewed interest in women’s cricket expansion, in the latest CSK news.
A representative from CSK was quoted — “we are evaluating the WPL option” — indicating the decision is pending rather than closed. This cautious but open stance suggests CSK prefers to observe the WPL’s commercial performance and stability before entering.
Given the league’s growing popularity, and Super Kings’ expansion plans there are a high chances of a CSK team in the WPL in near future.
FAQs
Does CSK Have a WPL Team?
No. Chennai Super Kings do not currently own a Women’s Premier League (WPL) team. The franchise did not participate in the initial bidding process and has not fielded a women’s side yet.
Why Didn’t CSK Bid for the Women’s Premier League?
CSK officials stated it was a strategic business decision. The franchise chose not to buy the WPL tender in the first cycle, preferring to focus on existing commitments and assess the league’s financial model before entering.
When Can CSK Join the WPL?
Reports indicate CSK is evaluating future WPL opportunities. With the league expected to expand, the franchise has signalled openness to joining once the commercial structure and long-term viability are clearer.
Which IPL Teams Currently Have WPL Teams?
Five franchises are part of the WPL: Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz. Only three IPL teams—MI, DC and RCB—currently have women’s teams.
