France, March 12 -- The inaugural edition of the Women's Premier League, India's top-flight domestic 20-over cricket tournament, got off to a rousing start last week. Many see the new league as a game-changer for women's cricket in a country that is mad about the game.

There were five franchises in the auction for the inaugural women's tournament, and they sold for a total of €534 million. The first five seasons of TV and digital rights were bought by Viacom 18 for €108 million.

That makes the WPL the second most expensive women's sports league in the world after the Women's National Basketball Association in the United States.

Indian international batter Smriti Mandhana negotiated a €390,000 contract as she joined Ba...