A full-fledged women’s Indian Premier League (IPL) could commence as early as next year, with the Indian cricket board (BCCI) voicing it is working on delivering the tourney ‘soon’.
A three-team Women’s T20 Challenge is organized by the side of the men’s IPL, but many reckon women deserve their own expanded competition with more teams and players.
The Women’s T20 Challenge will resume this year, however BCCI secretary Jay Shah stated things would change soon.
“I want to assure you that BCCI is not only sincere but is taking all necessary steps to start a full-fledged women’s league similar to the IPL soon,” Shah notified.
“The huge interest among fans and players towards the women’s T20 Challenge is an encouraging sign and we are all committed to making it happen.”
The entire 2020 version of the league and the second half of previous year’s tourney were held in the United Arab Emirates as India struggled with the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year’s IPL will commence in the last week of March and Shah was assured of organizing the 10-team league in India.
“The circumstances were different in the last couple of years, and we managed to keep the show going under difficult circumstances by shifting it to the UAE.”
“The BCCI is keeping a close watch on the COVID-19 situation in the country and if it is conducive, we will stage the event in India this year and I am pretty hopeful about that.”
The board would take a “wait and watch approach” on the presence of fans, considering the COVID-19 guidelines, he stated.
