With calls of women’s IPL gaining momentum after India’s remarkable performance in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have come up with a unique plan.
The BCCI is planning to have women T20 exhibition matches during the upcoming edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018. The proposed matches will take place during knockout stages.
According to Committee of Administrators (CoA) chairman Vinod Rai, the BCCI is committed to conducting a women’s IPL and this year could see some concrete movement on this front. “If we find that we can host a few exhibition matches then BCCI would like to do it this year. The women cricketers deserve to play IPL,” Rai told TOI on Sunday.
The IPL governing council did discuss a possibility of women’s league last October. “The IPL GC may discuss it for sure. If it’s feasible we will do it. I am all for women’s IPL. But it’s too late this year to come up with a full-fledged event because of time constraint. We need a different window and, therefore, we can’t rush into it. It needs a lot of planning,” Diana said.
As far as exhibition matches are concerned, a few top cricketers from England and Australia could be available for the mini-event. India will be playing a series against England next month. Following that, a tri-series has also been planned involving England, Australia and India. Thereafter, India is supposed to host another series against Australia. So if things go as planned, England, Australia and South Africa players could be invited for this year’s event along with other Test playing nations.
