BCCI Aims To Start Women's IPL With 6 Teams Next Year - Report

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly working on a concrete plan to start a full-fledged Women’s Indian Premier League (WIPL) tournament next year and it is expected to feature six teams. The much-anticipated tournament featuring the best of the women’s cricketers will have a franchise-based model.

BCCI has been organizing the Women’s T20 Challenge wherein 3 teams were featured in the T20 tournament. The Women’s T20 Challenge was not held in 2021 even as the BCCI hosted the IPL in two halves amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

There has been quite a noise for a full-fledged Women’s IPL league for some time now, given the popularity of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) in Australia, the Kia Super League in England, and most recently the Women’s Hundred tournament. Many current and former India cricketers including Harmanpreet Kaur and others said that time was ripe for a full IPL style tournament for female cricketers.

We Are Planning To Have 6 Teams To Start With: BCCI Source On Women’s IPL In 2023

In last month’s Governing Council Meeting, the plan to begin a full-fledged Women’s IPL was discussed, as the BCCI secretary, Jay Shah had also hinted at a full-on WIPL starting from 2023 onwards.

A BCCI top official told Sports Tak said on Sunday that the Women’s IPL is very much on from 2023 onwards and the board has already begun working on the plan to have a 6-team tournament from next year.

“We have already started working on the plan as to how many teams we can have and what window is going to suit, because we have the men’s IPL as well. As of now, we can’t share many details but yes, we are really excited for this league.

“Some franchises have already shown interest and are very keen to be part of this tournament. We are planning to have 6 teams to start with. Our team is working on the auction process and other important aspects of the tournament,” the source said.

When asked if the BCCI is looking at a specific window for the women’s IPL, the official added: “As of now, everything is just on paper. It will take time to streamline everything as there are many aspects that need to be taken care of – proper planning, auctions, teams etc etc.

“But yes we might start the women’s IPL in the summer, but again its completely tentative as of now. Once everything is discussed, the board will make an official announcement. The matter will also be discussed at the AGM to stamp it.”

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