Former Indian women’s national cricket team captain Anjum Chopra believes that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is thinking about the women’s cricket but she feels that the board need to be more specific in the communication about women’s cricket.
Recently, the BCCI was criticised for cancelling their participation in the proposed Women’s tri-series in England, which could be played in September.
However, the board clarified that it was cancelled due to lack of preparation time for the women’s cricket team.
Later, the BCCI has also confirmed to organise the three-team Women’s T20 Challenge 2020 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during the IPL playoff week.
Anjum Chopra confidently believes that the BCCI is thinking about women’s cricket but the communication should be better, like the men’s cricket.
Chopra told PTI, “It’s not that the BCCI is not thinking about women’s cricket. I only think they need to be more specific in communication about women’s cricket. I firmly believe that they must be thinking about women’s cricket but the communication all this while has been very specific to men’s cricket.”
The women’s IPL will be helpful for World Cup preparations: Anjum Chopra
Chopra is disheartened for the cancellation of India tour of England, but she is happy after the BCCI has confirmed to organise the Women’s T20 Challenge 2020.
While New Zealand will host the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2021 between 6th February and 7th March 2021, Chopra feels that the Women’s T20 Challenge 2020 can be still helpful for the World Cup preparations.
She added, “It is heartening to see women’s cricket making headlines. They should have been a part of that England tour and it did not feel nice initially but the women’s IPL, irrespective of the format, will be helpful for World Cup preparations.
“Any form of cricket is good preparation. Missing out on a tournament is not nice, but logistically there may have been issues. And you can’t send an under-prepared team.
“If you see in isolation we may have missed out on an opportunity to play in England. The more the girls play the better it is, before playing a tournament of the stature of World Cup. The assurance from the president is a very good thing.”
On the other hand, while the COVID-19 pandemic is still on, the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2021 is currently doubtful.
Especially, the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier is yet to be played to secure the three remaining spots for the eight-team ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2021.
Anjum Chopra is happy for the Women’s T20 Challenge 2020. Also, she feels that the ongoing pandemic will not affect women’s cricket.