The Indian women’s cricket team, which secured a historic ODI series win over England on Wednesday (September 21), is set to receive more good news in the coming days as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is planning to launch the much-awaited inaugural edition of the women’s Indian Premier League (IPL) early next year.
According to a report in The Times of India, BCCI president and former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has informed the state boards about the BCCI’s ambitious plans for women’s cricket in India.
“The BCCI is currently working on the much-awaited women’s IPL. We are expecting to start the first season early next year. More details will follow in due course,” Ganguly wrote in his email.
Besides launching the women’s IPL, the board will also start an Under-15 tournament for the girls. “We are glad to introduce a girls’ U-15 tournament from this season. Women’s cricket has seen phenomenal growth across the world, and our national team has been performing well. This new tournament will create a pathway for our girls to play at the international level,” Ganguly wrote.
In a mail to the state associations, Ganguly informed them that after the end of the T20 World Cup in Australia, the Indian men’s team will play New Zealand and Sri Lanka at home, while the Indian women’s team will host Australia.
“The BCCI’s home international season starts today and we have exciting cricket action coming our way. The Indian men’s senior team will be playing against Australia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand in the home international series. The Indian women’s senior team will be playing against Australia,” Ganguly wrote.
In other major developments, IPL 2023 will revert to the home and away format. “The next season of the men’s IPL will also go back to the home and away format with all the 10 teams playing their home matches at their designated venues,” Ganguly mentioned.