Smriti Mandhana, vice-captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, believes that the Women’s Premier League (WPL) is creating a significant impact on women’s cricket, similar to the Indian Premier League (IPL) for men since its launch in 2008.

The graceful left-handed opener noted that the WPL, which commenced in 2023, has inspired young girls and fostered a sense of ambition, a promising sign for the future of women’s cricket in India.

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“In the last three years, we’ve seen WPL’s growth and the surge of girls attending matches. Just 4-5 years ago, the stands were mostly filled with guys, but now there’s a noticeable increase in female attendance,” she remarked.

“It’s heartening to see young girls approach us and express their dreams of becoming cricketers. The WPL has undoubtedly made a significant impact in transforming T20 cricket, enhancing its entertainment value. Just as the IPL has influenced men’s cricket over the past 17 years, I believe the WPL is on the verge of doing the same,” Smriti shared with a select group of media during the launch of the City Cricket Academy in Dubai.

Since the launch of the WPL, there’s been a noticeable uptick in interest among young girls to participate in cricket. Academies in major cities and smaller towns have reported increased enrollments. Smriti, who already runs a training center in her hometown of Sangli, Maharashtra, discussed her plans for nurturing budding talent at her new academy in Dubai.

“We’re observing greater involvement beyond the cities with WPL teams, even from places without them. The domestic circuit is also experiencing a positive shift as girls aspire to elevate their game for opportunities in the WPL or international cricket, which is fantastic,” she remarked.

“This is paving the way for improved facilities in academies. My discussion with Don (Anshuman Bhagwati, Academy Director) focused on ensuring that the academy is inclusive, while prioritizing the development of women’s cricket—not just skill improvement,” she emphasized.

“Many academies concentrate primarily on skills, but we aim to offer programs that enhance personal strength and conditioning, so that graduates can leave the academy as well-rounded athletes,” Smriti added.

As she prepares for India’s upcoming ODI tri-series in Sri Lanka from April 27 to May 11, which will also feature South Africa, Smriti highlighted the increasing focus on nutrition in women’s cricket. She intends to mentor young cricketers at her Dubai academy about the significance of proper nutrition.

“Proper nutrition plays a crucial role, which we were often unaware of growing up. We consumed a lot of junk food. Starting at the right age can have a huge impact. We will definitely have nutritionists available to guide players, while understanding that nutritional choices are personal,” she said.

FC Barcelona is set to defend its lead at the top of the La Liga standings this weekend, with both they and second-placed Real Madrid facing challenging opponents on home turf. Barcelona currently holds 70 points from 31 matches, while Real Madrid trails with 66 points.

Barcelona will host Celta Vigo on Saturday night, after successfully advancing to the Champions League semifinals, despite a 3-1 loss to Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night.

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In that match, the Catalan giants appeared fatigued, and coach Hansi Flick may need to consider giving Lamine Yamal a break, as the young talent has played extensively. Inigo Martinez is expected to be well-rested after not featuring on Tuesday, while Gerard Martin will continue in left back due to Alejandro Balde’s injury.

Real Madrid aims to keep their domestic ambitions alive when they face Athletic Club Bilbao at home on Sunday night, following their Champions League elimination (5-1 on aggregate) against Arsenal on Wednesday. Madrid struggled in both matches, leading to speculation in the Spanish press that Carlo Ancelotti could be dismissed at the season’s end. Kylian Mbappe will miss the match due to suspension, but midfielder Dani Ceballos is back after an extended absence.

Athletic, currently in fourth place, travels to Madrid after competing in a Europa League match against Rangers on Thursday.

Fifth-placed Villarreal boosted their Champions League aspirations with a 2-1 victory over Betis last weekend and can take another step toward that goal at home against an inconsistent Real Sociedad.

Betis will visit Girona on Monday night, with the latter seeking to snap a nine-game winless streak that has brought them perilously close to the relegation zone.

Espanyol faces Getafe at home on Saturday, and a victory would likely secure their top-flight survival after recent wins against Rayo Vallecano and Celta Vigo.

Rayo’s coach Inigo Perez has signed a contract extension until 2026, with his team set to play at home against a confident Valencia.

Valencia’s recent win over Sevilla has brought them closer to safety, and under Carlos Corberan, their form suggests they could challenge for a top-four finish if maintained over a full campaign.

Sevilla, having dismissed Xavier Garcia Pimienta following last week’s loss to Valencia, has brought back veteran Joaquin Caparros for a fourth term in charge, starting with a home match against Alaves. Alaves currently sits fourth from bottom but may find themselves in the relegation zone depending on Leganes’ performance against Mallorca, who are vying for European qualification.

Las Palmas could climb out of the relegation zone after their surprising win against Getafe last week, which likely saved coach Diego Martinez’s job. However, they face a tough challenge on Saturday when they host third-placed Atletico Madrid.

Atletico eased past Valladolid on Monday with standout performances from Julian Alvarez, Giuliano Simeone, and Alexander Sorloth, demonstrating a potent offensive threat.

Kyren Wilson is poised to kick off his title defense at the 2025 World Snooker Championships with a first-round match against China’s Lei Pengfei, following the tournament’s draw announcement on Thursday.

The 33-year-old Wilson earned his inaugural world champion title last year after defeating qualifier Jak Jones 18-14 in the final.

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Wilson aims to break the “Crucible curse,” which states that no first-time champion has successfully defended their title since the tournament moved to the Crucible Theatre in 1977.

As the current world No. 2, Wilson is set to face Scottish Open champion Lei, who secured his spot in the tournament by defeating compatriot Gao Yang 10-0 in the qualifying round, according to Xinhua.

In other notable matchups, seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan will compete against Ali Carter, while veteran John Higgins will go up against Joe O’Connor.

This year marks a record-setting presence of 10 Chinese players at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. Notably, Ding Junhui, seeded No. 10, will take on newcomer Zak Surety, and Zhao Xintong will face last year’s finalist, Jak Jones, in the opening round.

The 2025 World Championships are scheduled to run from April 19 to May 5. The tournament winner will receive £500,000 from a total prize fund of £2,395,000, while the runner-up will earn £200,000, and semifinalists will each take home £100,000.