IPL has emerged as the leading cricket league in the world and the rest of the boards keep their calendar free during April and May so that their players can participate in the biggest league. However, the competition was limited to men only. Cricket experts and fans have been calling for a Women’s IPL for a long time.
Their wait is finally over as the much-awaited Women’s IPL will be starting from March 2023 to be held in a one-month window and in all likelihood with five teams, a senior BCCI official confirmed the development on Friday.
BCCI brings Women’s IPL into reality
The BCCI officials have discussed the tournament and a March window has been found for the mega event after the Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa.
“Yes, the WIPL will start in the first week of March and we have earmarked a four-week window for the first year. The T20 World Cup in South Africa is from February 9 to 26 and immediately after that, we plan to hold the tournament“ a senior BCCI official privy to the development told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
“As of now, we are going ahead with five teams but it could be six as there is a lot of interest among potential investors. In due course of time, the process of auctioning of teams will be announced,” he added.
As per various reports, teams like Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, and Chennai Super Kings have all expressed their interest in buying teams. Even UTV big boss Ronnie Screwala had tweeted that he would be interested in buying a WIPL franchise.
BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah in separate interviews with PTI had earlier confirmed that 2023 is the year when the event would start. A lot of cricket lovers believe that WIPL will bring in a revolution and the standard of women’s cricket in India will have a quantum leap.
“I am thrilled at the kind of response we have got from the stakeholders. Multiple existing teams have enquired and expressed serious interest in owning WIPL franchises,” Shah had said in an interview with PTI some time back. Before that, Ganguly had also expressed his confidence about the start of the event in 2023.
“I strongly believe that next year i.e. 2023 will be a very good time to start a full-fledged women’s tournament which will be as big and grand a success as men’s.” he had said.
Will a Women’s IPL bring a positive change to the Indian women’s cricket team?
Highlights:
- Women’s IPL to start next year in March
- Inaugural season to have five teams.
