BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) is understood to have shortlisted two windows to host a franchise-model T20 league for women from 2023. It is understood that on the sidelines of the IPL 2022 play-offs, the Indian board had discussions with the stakeholders with March 2023 being looked at as an ideal window to host the tournament.
If not, September is likely to be considered as another option. Despite calls to start one over the last few years, based on the inputs received from former players and other stakeholders, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has been looking to start the new tournament in 2023.
BCCI Recently Conducted The Women’s T20 Challenge 2022 In Pune
Recently, the Board of Control for Cricket in India conducted the Women’s T20 Challenge in Pune, where the matches received considerable stadium attendance. Despite the city hosting IPL matches, that nearly 8,621 turned up for the final between Supernovas and Velocity was a clear indication of how far the game has grown.
Ever since the Board of Control for Cricket in India President Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah mentioned that a full-fledged tournament would begin next year, things have started to move. Over the past week, the Board of Control for Cricket in India is understood to have had discussions with Cricket Australia and England and Wales Cricket Board counterparts and is likely to ask the International Cricket Council (ICC) to create a separate window for its new league in the month of March.
The four-match Women’s T20 Challenge 2022 came to an end as the Harmanpreet Kaur-led Supernovas got the better of Velocity in the summit clash. The final was quite a spectacle as it went down to the wire, and in the final over, Sophie Ecclestone managed to hold her own to help Supernovas win the title for the third time in the tournament’s history.
BCCI Is Believed To Be Looking At 6 Teams To Start Franchise Based Women’s T20 League In 2023
With the Caribbean Premier League, The Hundred, and The Women’s Big Bash running between July-November, the BCCI is looking at March as a possible window because the likes of Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa women players will have international commitments between December-February. It is understood that the BCCI has received positive responses from other boards about their respective players’ participation.
BCCI is believed to be looking at 6 teams to start the tournament and is also encouraged by the interest shown by some of the IPL franchises. Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals are believed to be showing active interest in owning a team. Chennai Super Kings also seem interested in the league, having started an academy for girls recently. All the existing 10 men’s IPL franchises will be given the first right of refusal to buy the Women’s IPL teams.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India is hosting the Women’s T20 Challenge since 2018 as a progressive step toward hosting the Women’s IPL. However, despite the best efforts of the BCCI, the dream has not yet materialized.
Another successful season of the Women’s T20 Challenge in Pune came to an end with the Harmenpreet Kaur-led Supernovas winning their third title by beating Velocity in the final.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India Secretary Jay Shah tweeted after the game about the next season being an even better one hinting about the start of the much-awaited Women’s IPL next season.