MUMBAI: India aims to launch a women’s edition of the Indian Premier League in the next three years, a top official said Tuesday.
As part of the build-up, top international women players will take part in a Twenty20 exhibition game at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium ahead of the IPL play-off on 22 May at the Wankhede cricket stadium in Mumbai.
“We are planning to get a women’s IPL in place in two to three years,” the Supreme Court appointed Committee of Administrators chief Vinod Rai told AFP.
The IPL governing council has sanctioned a match that will see four foreign players in each team that will start at 2.30 pm on the day of the first qualifier of the 2018 season of the IPL.
The BCCI has been actively considering a women’s T20 tournament for a while on the lines of the existing tournament for men in India. The proposal has gained significant momentum following the success of similar tournaments across the globe – notably the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) in Australia that has seen Indian stars Harmanpreet Kaur and Veda Krishnamurthy participate.
There will be 10 foreign players and 20 Indian players across both teams. The Indian players will be picked by the national selection committee and the game, which will start at 2.30 pm, will be shown live on IPL host broadcaster Star Sports.
Reports suggest that the BCCI has contacted the cricketing boards of Australia, England and South Africa to ensure their players’ availability. The names of players are expected to be made public soon.
No firm details of the new league have yet been revealed, but pressure for a women’s IPL has been building since India reached the final of the women’s World Cup in England last year.
The Mithali Raj-led India lost to England in the World Cup final last year, and received a rapturous welcome on their return.
The ratings success of the World Cup prompted the International Cricket Council to promise a greater role for women’s cricket.
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