The BCCI President Sourav Ganguly’s surprise announcement that the Women’s T20 Challenge will take place along with the Indian Premier League’s play-offs in the UAE has received a mixed response.
Though the schedule of Women’s IPL delighted all fans and players in India, it did not impress Aussie star Alyssa Healy, and it’s because the dates of the Women’s T20 Challenge are now clashing with Women’s Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia.
Healy’s heated argument with Indian sports journalist:
Soon after the Indian journalist Boria Majumdar posted the tweet regarding the schedule of Women’s IPL, Healy took a sarcastic dig, tweeting: “So during the WBBL…. cool.”
So during the WBBL…. cool https://t.co/w5aNhN9FTw
— Alyssa Healy (@ahealy77) August 2, 2020
Majumdar, meanwhile, further wrote that while the dates for this year’s women’s IPL are unfortunate but there was no other alternative. He stated that the BCCI and Cricket Australia need to sort the matter out, writing:
“Alyssa I asked this and unfortunately while it’s not ideal there are no alternate dates. I think best would be for the two boards to come to some sort of an understanding of sorts keeping in mind quarantine requirements. But for the women’s game and the Indian game this is imp.”
Healy was not at all impressed with Mujumdar’s explanation and wrote:
“So the Indian players who’ve already signed wbbl contracts will do what? And all the international marquee players that will be in aus for wbbl? Good luck with it….”
So the Indian players who’ve already signed wbbl contracts will do what? And all the international marquee players that will be in aus for wbbl? Good luck with it…..
— Alyssa Healy (@ahealy77) August 2, 2020
The journalist then tagged India veterans, Jhulan Goswami and Mithali Raj, and asked for their opinions on the matter by tweeting:
“I will let @JhulanG10 @M_Raj03 and the others answer that. Bec this is a question that will need an answer and all our players wanted this to happen. We would absolutely love all of you to come but that’s where I think the boards need to come to an understanding.”
I will let @JhulanG10 @M_Raj03 and the others answer that. Bec this is a question that will need an answer and all our players wanted this to happen. We would absolutely love all of you to come but that’s where I think the boards need to come to an understanding.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) August 2, 2020
The Australian wicketkeeper-batter, however, was having none of it as she continued arguing, tweeting:
“Our tournament is set and prepared. There won’t be any understanding. Fairly sure players will abide by their contractual agreements in Aus. Especially considering it’ll be leading into finals.”
Our tournament is set and prepared. There won’t be any understanding. Fairly sure players will abide by their contractual agreements in Aus. Especially considering it’ll be leading into finals.
— Alyssa Healy (@ahealy77) August 2, 2020
Majumdar further tweeted:
In an ideal scenario we need both tournaments. But the fact is there is no other window at these times. @IPL will not have the Aus and English marquee players for the first week bec they have a bilateral. SL also have their own. That’s how it is. 2/2
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) August 2, 2020
And from what I know 3-4 Indian players have WBBL contracts. If the Indian tournament isn’t held the entire lot of the Indian girls miss out and it will be a blow to the game. So it’s not ideal but I think you all will have to pick and choose. Aus Eng play on 16 sept. 3/3
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) August 2, 2020
Well, Healy eventually lost her cool and hit back at Majumdar by saying: “Sooooo dumb.”
Let me say what I’ve been avoiding:
Sooooo dumb
— Alyssa Healy (@ahealy77) August 2, 2020
Majumdar finally decided to stop justifying BCCI’s call as he shot back at Healy by tweeting:
“Let me say what I did not want to say. Let’s agree to disagree bec I think 3-4 indian players with wbbl contracts don’t explain our game. I also think there is enough in the world for tournaments to happen. And given rational arguments aren’t your forte so we should close this.”
The legendary Goswami and Raj soon backed Majumdar. Both the players lauded BCCI’s decision and made it clear that they are happy with what the Indian board is doing.
“I think as an Indian player and looking at the indian women’s game the bcci doing this is hugely welcome. We need this for every woman who plays the game in India. These are tough times. And unless our board supports us the game will suffer,” wrote Goswami.
I think as an Indian player and looking at the indian women’s game the bcci doing this is hugely welcome. We need this for every woman who plays the game in India. These are tough times. And unless our board supports us the game will suffer.
— Jhulan Goswami (@JhulanG10) August 2, 2020
“The Bcci is gradually building towards having a full fledged women’s ipl in a few years with the franchise module. This is an ipl challenger of sorts( 4 teams) At this juncture it’s important the building process is not halted thus it’s a good move to have it alongside the men’s,” wrote Raj.
The Bcci is gradually building towards having a full fledged women’s ipl in a few years with the franchise module. This is an ipl challenger of sorts( 4 teams) At this juncture it’s important the building process is not halted thus it’s a good move to have it alongside the men’s
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) August 2, 2020
