We Are Lacking At Domestic Level Presently – Harmanpreet Kaur On Women's IPL To Benefit Domestic Players

Indian women’s team white-ball skipper Harmanpreet Kaur feels the Women’s IPL tournament will provide a platform for grassroots players to enhance their game level.

India doesn’t have a properly organised league of its own for women cricketers barring the four-match Women’s T20 Challenge played during the men’s IPL playoffs every year.

After years of contemplation, the Board of Control for Cricket in India is likely to start the concept of Women’s IPL in March 2023 with a five-team event in the inaugural season.

Our domestic level is not that great: Harmanpreet Kaur

Senior Women’s T20 Trophy, Senior Women’s Interzone T20 Trophy and Senior Women’s T20 Challenger Trophy are some of the key domestic tournaments of women’s cricket in India.

However, captain Harmanpreet believes domestic cricket isn’t superficial to give the young players the exposure to compete on the international stage.

“Yes, definitely, I think that is a great platform where domestic players can perform and get that experience. The only thing I personally feel we are lacking is that because our domestic level is not that great and suddenly you are coming to the Indian team and then you feel a lot of pressure,” Harmanpreet told Sports18.

“I feel if we get women’s IPL, then our domestic players will also get a chance to play with overseas players and that experience will definitely help us when some youngster, who is coming to the team, will not feel that pressure which eventually they feel when they come and play international games,” she added.

Really happy with the way we performed: Harmanpreet Kaur on CWG 2022

India finished second at the podium in Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 and bagged the elusive silver medal for cricket in a multi-sporting event. India lost their only two matches of the event against eventual champions Australia, including the final by nine runs.

“It was a great experience for all of us because we were participating for the first time and we got a great platform to perform. I am really happy with the way we performed because before leaving for the Commonwealth Games we decided to play dominating cricket and the team did a really great job,” the Indian skipper talked about her maiden experience in CWG.

The Indian women’s team will tour back to England to play six white-ball fixtures – three T20Is and as many ODIs – starting on September 10.

Also Read: Watch: Smriti Mandhana Reacts With Enthusiasm When Reporter Asks Her About Women’s IPL