Vision
undoubtedly this is the most significant ingredient needed for the introduction of a women’s IPL. The success of the Women’s Big Bash League is simply the culmination of a number of progressive moves that Cricket Australia opted for, to achieve their ideal vision of “making cricket the number one sport for girls and women in Australia”. If a women’s IPL is regarded as a way to inspire young girls to play, it is not at all impossible to challenge even the success of Cricket Australia’s WBBL.
Interestingly when the chair of the ICC’s women’s cricket committee Clare Connor was questioned about why not just equalise the prize money for men and women, she answered should she had a choice, she would use the money elsewhere. “I’d suggest that some of it could pay the amazingly committed female players who aren’t paid to play for their countries.
Some could go on further expansion of the international schedule so that teams play more, performance standards rise and the best players become more visible.
Some would undoubtedly go on devising innovative marketing projects to sell an irresistible product to potential sponsors, broadcasters and audiences”.
Don’t know if BCCI have heard about this extraordinary statement, but a similar ‘bottom up’ approach should be taken to women’s cricket in this country. It needs to start with getting more and more young girls into cricket to nurture the best talents we have and finally, end with the Indian women’s team becoming world champions. Obviously, a dream come true for each and every one. Just do that, and a women’s IPL will emerge along the way.
With England set to launch their own Women’s Cricket Super League this summer starting from July, the question of a women’s IPL is most likely to surface again soon. You have to focus your immediate resources on strengthening the bases of women’s cricket in India, so when time comes, the launch pad remains firm.
After all, women’s cricket in a country like ours would demand a women’s IPL to run as long as Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge has, and not to be forgotten soon after release.