Star Players From Around The World Criticise Women's IPL As It Directly Takes On Women's Big Bash League

A number of overseas stars have expressed their disappointment over the timing of this year’s Women’s T20 Challenge. Popularly called women’s IPL, the competition will take place alongside the IPL’s playoffs stage in the UAE.

And while the news might have delighted the Indian women cricketers but it has not impressed some star players from other countries. The reason for their disappointment is that the Women’s T20 Challenge will clash with the Women’s Big Bash League which is scheduled from 17 October to 29 November.

“Women’s T20 Challenge will also take place in the UAE and will comprise three teams with four matches to be played during the IPL Playoff week,” the statement from the IPL GC read. “A meeting with the franchises will be called shortly.”

Stars unimpressed with Women’s T20 Challenge schedule:

Australia star Alyssa Healy was the first one who expressed her reservations over the tournament. Taking a sarcastic dig at the timing of the competition, Healy tweeted:

“So during the WBBL…. cool. So the Indian players who’ve already signed WBBL contracts will do what? And all the international marquee players that will be in Australia for WBBL? Good luck with it.”

So the Indian players who’ve already signed wbbl contracts will do what? And all the international marquee players that will be in aus for wbbl? Good luck with it…..

— Alyssa Healy (@ahealy77) August 2, 2020

From India, Hamranpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Jemima Rodrigues and Shafali Verma were looking set to fly to Australia for the Big Bash League. However, the chances of their participation in the tournament is all but over now.

Rachael Haynes soon joined the discussion and called the timing of Women’s T20 Challenge ‘a shame’.

“If true, it’s a shame,” said Haynes in a tweet. “While the game continues to grow, premier domestic competitions do not need to compete against each other. They can be used to showcase the game and support its development around the world.”

https://twitter.com/RachaelHaynes/status/1289864298705989633?

New Zealand cricketer Suzie Bates too made her displeasure felt, as she tweeted:

“What a huge shame for both the WBBL and WIPL competitions there is a clash.”

What a huge shame for both the WBBL and WIPL competitions there is a clash.

— Suzie Bates (@SuzieWBates) August 2, 2020

On the other hand, England’s Charlotte Edwards stressed on the importance of having a window for all the women’s tournaments, tweeting:

“Needs to be a window for Women’s IPL, WBBL and The Hundred. All play a massive part in raising the standards and growing the game.”

Needs to be a window for Women’s IPL, WBBL and The Hundred. All play a massive part in raising the standards and growing the game. https://t.co/biiShKjfRw

— Charlotte Edwards (@C_Edwards23) August 2, 2020

Also Read: IPL 2020: #BoycottIPL Trends As Fans Slam BCCI For Retaining VIVO As Title Sponsors

Also Read: Younis Khan Has Wrongly Been Made Batting Coach: Shoaib Akhtar