Virender Sehwag backs the idea of having a Women's IPL

Former swashbuckling opener Virender Sehwag has expressed his wish that the BCCI should soon initiate a Women’s IPL tournament in the country following the example from Cricket Australia who have successfully executed the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL).

Though the Indian Women’s cricket team had an ordinary World T20 last year it was the entry of its players Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) which made the news. Following this, Harmanpreet was appointed as the captain of the shortest version of the game. And particularly since then the need of introducing a Women’s T20 league in India has been popping up.

Sehwag backs the idea

Many cricketers which include India’s Test and ODI skipper Mithali Raj, Australia Women’s captain Meg Lanning have suggested that there should be an IPL for women. Quite a few male cricketers have also backed this idea. Adding to the list is former Indian star player Virender Sehwag who took to Twitter to express his support for a Women’s T20 tournament hoping that the BCCI would soon realise the wish.

Sehwag posted a tweet congratulating the Indian women players Deepti Sharma and Poonam Raut as they recorded the highest partnership in a women’s One-Day International (ODI) match.

He tweeted:

Congratulations #DeeptiSharma and #PoonamRaut for a record 320 run opening partnership. The girls played really well. Waah ! pic.twitter.com/Rzr1DV3fzq

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) May 15, 2017

Talking about rewarding the women cricketers:

Sehwag replied:

I think it's high time we have a Women's IPL ,just like they have Big Bash for women in Australia. Hope @BCCI gives this gift quickly. https://t.co/KODnb1WgHt

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) May 16, 2017

Nevertheless, women’s cricket in India seems to have taken a step towards betterment in the recent times. BCCI formally announced central contracts in November last year with skipper Mithali Raj being one of 11 cricketers to receive a fixed yearly remuneration.

Taking into account the need of an international platform for budding women cricket players in India, the BCCI should give a serious thought over the demand of a Women’s IPL. Australia’s WBBL had a groundbreaking debut with crowds in excess of 10,000 for a few games and some appreciable viewership ratings.