It is not just a speculation anymore, an IPL-like league is on the cards after Indian Women’s stellar show in ICC Women’s World Cup 2017. The theme of a T20 league might be borrowed from Indian Premier League (IPL) which has already completed it’s 10 seasons. However, the plan for an IPL-like league is still in it’s framework stage. As per reports, BCCI is quite convinced with the popularity it had gained over the years.
Though it is yet to be determined on what scale the league will be compared to the 10-year-old cricket league. Former Indian Women’s captain Diana Edulji who is one of the members of Committee of Administrators is ecstatic by the drastic developments, she said “We are in talks of having a Woman’s IPL. It is still on the drawing board. But now we need to look at it seriously. To start with we need to have a 5 team affair. It will encourage more cricketers to come out and play,”
Edulji also revealed that the BCCI was impressed by the team’s performance in the recently concluded tournament where they finished as runner ups. “We will tap into a lot more talent. I am happy that the women’s are getting good coverage and they have responded well by coming to the final,” she added.
The 61-year-old also felt that this performance will have an impact similar to what former Indian skipper Kapil Dev’s triumph in 1983. A few Indian women cricketers have already been playing in Women’s Big Bash League including Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana who have featured in the Sydney Thunders’ side.
The brand of cricket Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana have played it seems like a T20 league might just be the boost Indian Women need to dominate world cricket. If the Indian Women gets even one-fifth of the popularity and exposure of what IPL has, it will be a big boost for women cricket.
