From next year, the Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) in India proposes a six-team women’s IPL. The Indian Premier League’s Governing Council(GC) met in Mumbai on Friday, March 25, and decided that all efforts would be made to establish a six-team annual Twenty20 competition for women cricketers, with priority given to the existing IPL clubs.
BCCI and Women’s IPL
This year, however, the Women’s Twenty20 Challenge will be held. The GC believes the women’s IPL has potential, which has been bolstered by funding for the Women’s T20 Challenge in 2020.
The members of the Governing Council, who have gathered in person for the first time in over two years, have determined that the existing IPL franchises will be asked if they want the women’s squad as well. After that option has been explored, the BCCI will allow bidders from outside the country to compete for the franchises.
The BCCI has been under pressure to create the women’s league due to widespread demand. The Cricket West Indies (CWI) and the Caribbean Premier Competition (CPL) have decided to start a three-team league this year, while the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has revealed similar plans. It is the board’s responsibility to launch a women’s league, regardless of the tournament’s commercial success.
Tender for IPL 2023-27
Another significant move was the GC’s approval of the IPL’s media rights tender for the season 2023-2027. Most likely, the Invitation To Tender (ITT) document will be released on Monday or Tuesday. Bidding parties will have a variety of alternatives, and it is understood that interested business houses must have a net worth of INR 1000 crore.
A GC member explained the concept of a women’s IPL, saying that the feasibility of a six-team league would be investigated in the coming days. “Running the event alongside the men’s IPL may not be possible.”
A GC member said: “We may have to explore a window first. Besides, the details of the proposed event will be worked out.” He revealed that there will be three teams and four matches played throughout the IPL this year.
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