BCCI planning ‘A’ tours for India Women’s team

Board of Control for Cricket in India is planning to introduce more ‘A’ tours for the Indian Women’s team. The board has taken this step post the team’s excellent performance in the recently concluded Women’s Cricket World Cup in England. India made it to the final of the tournament only to lose it by mere 9 runs.

Besides the ‘A’ tours, they are planning to expand the U-16 domestic zonal tournament to the all-India level. As of now, all-India junior tournaments cover only the U-19 and U-23 category. The former captain and Committee of Administrators (CoA) member is part of women’s committee, which will be meeting on Wednesday to decide the road ahead for Women’s cricket in India. The other members of the committee are Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami and Ratnakar Shetty who is the convener.

We need to create the bench strength: BCCI

“We plan to have India A tours for the women’s team besides reviewing the domestic structure. It is needed for creating a bigger bench strength for the women’s team. Mithali has herself felt that there is a lot of difference between our domestic cricket and international cricket,” the BCCI official told PTI on condition of anonymity.

The discussion will also be held regarding the lack of International assignments for the Women’s team when Men are having such a hectic schedule. “The team is not scheduled to play any international match this year. So we have already written to all the full members for bilateral limited overs series or even a tri- series. As of now, we have got a positive response from England and Australia,” said the official.

“The next assignment for India will probably be the ICC ODI Championship next year and there we are keen that team plays a tri-series along with the bilateral series. Having more domestic events and A tours will also go a long way in creating big enough pool for the Women’s IPL,” BCCI official added.

Former India captain Shantha Rangaswamy was of the opinion that this is the right time to start with the Women’s IPL as it will attract many young cricketers from every corner of the country. Everyone had their apprehensions when the men’s IPL started in 2008. Look where the league has reached in 10 years time. The Women’s IPL could have a similar script. If there can be a Big Bash in Australia, why not an IPL in India,” she asked.