Baramulla : Women cricketers from Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh are competing in the Chinar Women’s Premier League (CWPL) 2026 in Baramulla, with 12 teams taking part in the tournament and night matches expected to add another dimension to the competition. The tournament, being organised under the initiative of the Indian Army’s Chinar Corps, features 10 teams from different districts of Kashmir and one team each from Jammu and Ladakh. The participation of players from Ladakh alongside teams from Jammu and Kashmir has widened the competitive field and given young women cricketers from different parts of the region an opportunity to play against each other on a common platform. The league, which began on September 3 and is scheduled to continue until September 10, is aimed at giving emerging women cricketers competitive match experience and an opportunity to showcase their skills.
For many of the participating players, the tournament also provides exposure beyond local-level cricket, where regular organised competitions for women remain limited. The league has drawn interest among residents in Baramulla, particularly young girls watching women cricketers compete in an organised tournament. Attention is now also turning to the General Bipin Rawat Stadium in Baramulla, where matches under floodlights are expected to be introduced. Night cricket would give the participating players experience of playing in conditions normally associated with larger professional tournaments.
The stadium has recently been taken up for installation of high-mast lighting as part of efforts to improve sports infrastructure in Baramulla. With 12 teams competing for the title, players are seeking to use the tournament not only to help their respective sides progress but also to make an impression through individual performances. One of the women cricketers participating in the league welcomed the opportunity provided by the tournament. “We are very happy with this tournament and hope the Indian Army will organise even more such tournaments in the coming days. We are especially thankful to the GOC 19 Division and the CO of 46 Rashtriya Rifles for supporting us and giving us such a big platform to showcase our talent,” she said.
Local residents have also welcomed the competition, saying more organised tournaments could encourage girls to take up cricket and other sports and provide talented players with opportunities to compete beyond their immediate districts. As the league enters its final stages, the focus will shift to the contest for the championship, with teams from Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh looking to turn their performances into a place in the decisive matches.
