BCCI President Sourav Ganguly Says Women’s IPL Likely To Start From 2023

BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has spoken on the possibility of a full-fledged Women’s Indian Premier League (WIPL) to begin from 2023 onwards. After the success of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), the Women’s T20 Kia League in England, and the recent debut of the Women’s The Hundred tournament, calls for a full Women’s IPL have gained traction.

The BCCI has held three previous editions of the Women’s T20 Challenge during the Indian Premier League playoffs featuring three teams that were captained by Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, and Mithali Raj. However, the previous edition of the Indian Premier League didn’t see the Women’s T20 challenge due to COVID issues.

BCCI President Sourav Ganguly confirmed that the Women’s T20 Challenge will take place during the Men’s Indian Premier League Playoffs, which will be during May.

“The Women’s T20 Challenge will again be back this year in the month of May. Hopefully, in the future, we will be able to host a bigger women’s IPL once the number of women players [player pool] goes up. But this year, the Women’s T20 Challenge will happen during the IPL playoffs” he was quoted as saying by PTI.

BCCI Are At The Level Of Formulation To Have A Full-Fledged WIPL In 2023: Sourav Ganguly

However, now the prospect of Women’s IPL becoming a reality has gotten closer as BCCI President Sourav Ganguly said that plans are on for a bigger IPL for women’s cricketers once the number of women players goes up in the player pool.

During the same interview with PTI, Sourav Ganguly said that there are plans to hold a full Women’s IPL from 2023 onwards. The pressure is being built on the BCCI to host a full IPL, with even the likes of Harmanpreet Kaur hinting at the need for a Women’s IPL tournament.

“We are at the level of formulation to have a full-fledged WIPL. It is certainly going to happen. I strongly believe that next year i.e. 2023 will be a very good time to start a full-fledged women’s IPL which will be as big and grand a success as men’s IPL,” he said.

The Women’s T20 Challenge will be played during the IPL 2022 playoffs and will feature three teams.

Also, Read: Women’s IPL Should Be Top Priority: Michael Vaughan To Sourav Ganguly