Indian cricket fans root for Women's IPL

As the Indian team fell short of just nine runs in a World cup final against hosts England, several questions popped up concerning team’s capability to perform under pressure. While captain Mithali Raj was proud of her team and their performance this season, she also took the onus highlighting the adversities this team has faced since the inception.

Team India, undoubtedly, was exceptional throughout the tournament, entered as underdogs and saw different players emerging as match winners. It was a treat to watch Smriti Mandhana and Punam Raut’s first World Cup century, constructing a strong foundation in the opening order. Mithali had a dream World Cup, scored 400+ runs and took India home on several occasions. How can one forget Poonam Yadav and Rajeshwari Gayakwad’s five-fers causing havoc in opponent’s batting line-up?

“These girls have really set the platform for the upcoming generations in India,” said Raj. “They’ve opened up the channels for women’s cricket and they should be really proud of themselves. I have seen the changes the girls have made. Unlike 2005 (when Australia hammered India by 98 runs in the final at Centurion, South Africa), this went to the end. The WBBL has given exposure to the two girls who have played (Smriti Mandhana and Kaur). If more girls participate in such leagues, it will give them experience and help them to improve their own game. If you ask me, they should have (women’s) IPL because now is the right time to create that base.”

With that performance and Indian women’s cricket at its zenith, how could one refrain from the topic of Women’s IPL?

It is heart-warming to see Australia’s Women’s Big Bash League and England’s Kia Super League flourishing and positively impacting our female cricket community. These events are a testimony to the power and love for female cricket around the world. Women’s cricket is no more an alien concept.

Women’s IPL has been the most talked-about topic lately. Fans across the world are again filled with hopes post the World Cup tournament.

Folks at Female Cricket, a cricket platform dedicated only to female cricketers ran a campaign during Indian Premier League this summer, highlighting the importance of Women’s IPL and creating awareness about the same.

About Female Cricket

Female Cricket (www.femalecricket.com) is a platform dedicated to female cricketers across the world, which talks, promotes and celebrates cricket stories with a motive of raising the profile of women cricketers and inspiring young girls to pursue their cricket dreams.

Started in the early 2016, Female Cricket has covered stories across the world and continues to build the biggest female cricket community. Female Cricket has partnered with a UK based NGO to reward needy and deserving cricket players in India with free cricket gears. They are also working on a project “Female Cricket Club” a portal that would feature only female cricket clubs, and reduce the hassle of locating one when required.

Female Cricket’s Campaign for #WomensIPL

Female Cricket initiated an online campaign to highlight the importance of having a Women’s IPL. Capitalizing on the power of digital media, the idea was to reach out to as many as female cricket fans possible and seek their views on Women’s IPL. The campaign ran across Female Cricket’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter handles and saw a humongous response.

It wasn’t over yet. Folks at Female Cricket decided to further their support and excitement towards this campaign. A banner was prepared and the idea was to take it to the Mumbai’s Wankhede stadium on 12th April, 2017. The banner had this message written – “Dear IPL, congratulations on your 10th Anniversary. Can we now have our Women’s version of IPL? India demands #WomensIPL.”

Right in the middle of the Wankhede stadium, as the match between Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad progressed, a bunch of female cricket fans held this banner tight, with pride in their heart, carrying message from thousand supporters, as they displayed their excitement for Women’s IPL.

Female Cricket have done their part and now it’s time for us to stand for Women’s IPL, show our support, promote women’s cricket and encourage more and more girls to play cricket.