How long will we wait for a full-blown Women’s IPL?
The BCCI has received a mixed response on its decision of organizing the Women’s IPL this year. The apex body, which was under fire for cancelling India Women’s tour of England last month, announced a plan that would ensure some cricket for the top female players this year. This will be the first instance after the historic T20 World Cup final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in March this year that women cricketers will be back in action.
The board made its intention clear to hold a few T20 matches for the women alongside the men’s IPL in the UAE in November when the BCCI president Sourav Ganguly stated explicitly that “the women’s IPL is very much on”. However, with the dates of fixtures yet to be finalized, the call regarding the participating teams lying in pendency, and the absence of a national selection panel; the idea is still work in progress.
We are ready for Women’s T20 Challenge! Are you? #IPLWomen @SouthernStars @ECB_cricket @WHITE_FERNS pic.twitter.com/V3sMP9jgOc
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 21, 2018
However, the Women’s T20 challenge is on a clash with Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) that is scheduled from 17th October to 29th November. The initiative of scheduling a women’s IPL and giving due recognition to Women’s cricket is appreciable and thoughtful, however, the reason due to which the tournament has been scheduled in a way to leave the players choosing between two leagues will never be understood.
Women’s IPL: Is it?
While the T20 Challenge is being termed as the “Women’s IPL”, the reality is that the Women’s IPL is just a misleading term being used interchangeably for convenience. The tournament, to be played amongst three teams for a total of four matches, is only an event and certainly not a “Women’s IPL”.
Australia has done extremely well to give women what they deserve and the closest cricket has reached an IPL for women now is nothing but the Women’s Big Bash League. And it is that the T20 Challenge is on a clash with. To term the T20 Challenge as Women’s IPL, even after knowing the definition of IPL for 12 years, is grossly erroneous.
Is it the correct time for a standalone event?
The collision of the two tournaments only adds to the sorry state of affairs that the women’s cricket sustains in. Women have much lesser opportunities to earn from cricket when compared with men and to cut down even these, is regrettable.
There is no reason why women should not be a chance and platform equal to their male counterparts. After years of consistent performances, this is the least that the Indian women’s cricket deserves. It is rather high time and we are running at least half a decade late by all accounts. An IPL for women should have existed at least 5-6 years ago, and it is disheartening that it is still just an idea taking shape.
