IPL With 5-6 Teams Will Be Great Boost For Women's Cricket: Smriti Mandhana

Women’s cricket in the country has taken large strides in the past few years. Under the mentorship of WV Raman, the India women’s cricket team reached their maiden World Cup final in 2017 and also sealed a berth in the summit clash of the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup. However, the cricket board is yet to take a firm stand on organising IPL for women.

As an exhibition contest, the cricket board had held Women’s T20 Challenge in 2018, with four teams participating in it. Women cricketers from across the globe had participated in the tournament with IPL Supernovas clinching the title. However, since then there has been no talks about playing a IPL-styled tournament on regular basis.

IPL with 5-6 teams can be great for Indian women’s cricket: Smriti Mandhana

Senior women’s team batter Smriti Mandhana acknowledged the fact that the cricket board has taken effort to host a tournament for women’s. She, however, feels that a tournament with five-six teams can be a big boost for the Indian eves.

“The BCCI has put in a lot of effort, first we had an exhibition match kind of women’s IPL two years ago then there was a very successful IPL with three teams.

“I’m sure a lot of IPL style matches will take place for a year or two,” Smriti Mandhana said in a BBC podcast.

A five or six-team IPL for women will be great for Indian women’s cricket specially for the World Cups,” she added.

Mandhana last featured for India in the women’s T20 World Cup. She was not in good form in the tournament but continues to be one of the integral part of the side. The 25-year-old also believes the team has gelled up as an unit and grown up better under the coaching of WV Raman.