The Indian T20 league was an instant success since its first season in 2008. The success of the tournament has made the BCCI expand it by increasing the number of teams and matches over the years. But one thing that has been missing from the tournament is a full-fledged women’s league as well.
The Indian Cricket Board has recently revealed its plans of conducting the first-ever Women’s edition of the Indian T20 league next year. The secretary of the BCCI, Jay Shah, has said that the inaugural edition will be a priority for the board and they will do everything to make it happen in the next year.
Meanwhile, former Indian T20 League Chairman Lalit Modi has suggested that it should be mandatory for the franchise owners of the Indian T20 league to have a women’s team as well. Modi feels this will increase the investment in women’s cricket and strengthen Indian women’s team bench strength.
“I didn’t see much of women’s games this year (Women’s T20 Challenge), but I think one of the biggest things they should do is make it mandatory for a league franchise to have a women’s team,” Lalit Modi told NDTV.
“If a T20 league franchise owner is able to have a women’s team, you’ll see the bench strength in Indian women’s cricket go up. You’ll see investment in women’s cricket by owners who are already making good money now. Amazing step. It’s a big boost to the women’s game and I am really glad,” Modi added.
The Indian Cricket Board started a mini-league for women’s cricketers in the year 2018 with a total of 3 teams featuring in it. The tournament has had four seasons since then. While the Indian board is still contemplating its plans to conduct a complete league for women, the Australian board was the first one to conduct a women’s league alongside their men’s t20 league. The Australian women’s league has gained popularity and has a different schedule than the men’s league.
