Women's T20 Challenge likely to remain three-team competition this year

While the cricketing fraternity is constantly urging the BCCI to start a full-fledged women’s IPL, the Indian cricket board is unlikely to do it at least for this year. Several women cricketers from past and present have been urging the BCCI to start a full-fledged competition for the betterment of women’s game.

But the BCCI is not planning anything like that at present. The board is likely to stick to three teams for the Women’s T20 Challenge tournament, usually held during the IPL play-offs. Last year, the BCCI had planned to increase the exhibition event to four teams but it continued to be a three-team affair due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of now, the board is in talks with the Australian and English cricket boards for the availability of their women cricketers. Last year, the delayed IPL was held in the September-November window last year and as a result, the Women’s Challenge clashed with the WBBL. Consequently, the Australian women cricketers had missed the tournament in the UAE.

“As of now, the plan is to have three teams. A final decision will be taken shortly. There is a good chance that it will be held in Delhi. Talks are on with the leading Australian and England players,” a BCCI official was quoted as saying by the Times of India.

The BCCI could take a final decision on the competition during its Apex Council meeting on April 16. One of the main agendas of the meeting is the appointment of Indian women’s team support staff and its Future Tours Programme.

IPL 2021 underway:

IPL 2021 got underway on Friday with the game between defending champions Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore. RCB had won the contest by two wickets. In the second game, Delhi Capitals had crushed Chennai Super Kings by seven wickets while chasing 189. In the third game on Sunday, Kolkata Knight Riders beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by 10 runs.

The entire competition is being played at six venues. None of the teams will be playing at their traditional home venues. The final is scheduled to be held in Ahmedabad on May 30.