Boost for Women’s cricket as BCCI confirms women’s exclusive IPL style T20

There’s no cricket quite like T20 cricket. Not our submission. Not a bumper sticker expression either. Rather, a feeling of the contemporary times. In fact, you could say, T20 is an order of the day. T20s may not be producing sterling Test level cricketers, but in today’s fast-paced existence, can be seen embalming the sport from the decay of boredom.
An exclusive IPL- style Women’s T20
Ever since the IPL was born in 2008, it has only grown in popularity. And most noticeably the rise of women’s cricket, particularly due to a spectacular execution and evidencing of the ICC World Cup 2017, has been the other accompanying cricket story in the world media.
That women’s cricket is rising and by the tick of the clock is a reality that not even the worst critics of the game can refute. But that said, for the longest time, there had been an accompanying worry and conjecture regarding the fate of women’s cricket. Given that the male sport, particularly through the funnel of IPL in India had reached new heights, it was being wondered whether there would be anything like an exclusive IPL just for the ladies.
There were rumors and stories on the same- primarily based on conjecture- began doing rounds. There have been hush voices in the past two years but none submitting anything telling. Except now, there’s a newfound belief that a women’s only IPL may actually not be a dream scenario at all. Wondering how? Here’s why.
The right boost for women’s cricket?
The BCCI earlier today (May 12, 2018) announced plans to stage a women’s only IPL-style T20 contest. This is to be held just ahead of the start of the men’s playoffs in the ongoing IPL 2018. This could be the start of a campaign to perhaps finally execute the much-awaited prospect of having a women’s exclusive IPL contest. Whether you consider this as a one time move or a sudden idea, there’s reason to believe that BCCI’s decision will do a world of good to promote women’s cricket, particularly in India.
Secondly, true to the IPL’s construct and DNA of unfurling a unique melange of India-based and global cricketers in a surge for ascendency in T20 cricket, one can expect the best names in the business to become part of this forthcoming event, provided it’s given a nod of approval by the BCCI.
But here’s why the concept should actually be supported.
For starters, it’s a great move to push women’s cricket in the right direction. And it is important to note that much of the current paths to proliferate the rise of the sport convene at T20s. So, if it’s T20s, then so be it. Who would actually mind the likes of seeing an Ellyse Perry, Harmanpreet Kaur, Stafanie Taylor, Jess Jonassen, Suzie Bates, Natalie Sciver, Mithali Raj donning bright, serene outfits and igniting the prospect of inarguably the most noted T20 leagues in the current dominion of world cricket?
Although, there’s a bit of a caution thrown to the wind by Mithali Raj
A few months ago, leading to the build-up of  Australia’s tour to India, when the legendary figure was asked about her views of a women’s IPL, Mithali Raj had some interesting observations to make. Extending support to the burning topic, Raj was simply of the view that a women’s IPL makes sense once the organizers are able to fully understand the complex logistics of the sport and are able to dig the right talents that are available in plenty from different parts of the country.
A takeaway in favour of Women’s IPL
However, die-hard fans of the women’s cricket for whom cricket is a sport of enduring charisma and where there shouldn’t be boundaries of difference between men’s and women’s game- a women’s IPL may be a necessity. Simply because of the prospect that at a time where Australia has a T20 league of its own- Women’s Big Bash League- with the concept having already unveiled superior talents (Kaur plays for Sydney Thunder) it was about time that India too had its own version of a T20 league, specifically designed to promote women’s cricket.
There’s reason to believe that it will find the light of the day with the male version of the contest having reached such astonishing heights in the already contested editions.