Sometimes, you ought to let your performance do the talking in order to get noticed. Since the wonderful run in the World Cup 2017, the Indian Cricket Team has been getting great attention.
People have started noticing the differences and are arguing for its eradication. There was a huge urge for equal pay for men and women when the contracts were announced. This, despite the fact that the amount of increase in pay for Women this year was a substantial one.
Another issue which crept up was the holding of Women's IPL for the improvement of Indian Cricket. Given the success of WBBL (Women's Big Bash League) and KSL (Kia Super League), this was a seemingly valid concern. While Mithali and Jhulan themselves acknowledged the fact that India isn't ready for Women's IPL as yet, the talks about it were going on and on.
Amidst all this, the BCCI had announced that it is planning to host exhibition matches during IPL play-offs for Women. Over a month into the IPL, no updates had come on the matter.
Finally, news has been doing the rounds that IPL Governing Council has sanctioned an IPL-style exhibition match for women cricketers on 22nd May. This is the day when we will have Qualifier 1 being played at the Wankhede. It will be an absolute treat for the crowd at Wankhede to witness an epic double-header on 22nd May.
Further, it has been decided that there will be 2 teams of 15 players each comprising of 10 Indians and 5 overseas players. Also, the playing 11 will be in the same 7:4 ratio as it is in a men's IPL game. The match will also be broadcast LIVE on Star Sports from 2:30 pm IST.
With the camp for Asia Cup likely to be held in Mumbai from 17th May, it is wonderful to have the match being held in Mumbai on the 22nd. COA chief Vinod Rai confirmed the news and also hinted at building this into a women's IPL tournament in a couple of years time.
Diana Edulji, a member of COA also confirmed the news and said that it was all about promoting Women's Cricket. She further added that it's just a thought and that we might have a women's IPL from next year.
There have been some more updates regarding the exhibition match. The 2 teams are likely to be named IPL XI and BCCI XI. The BCCI has reached out to Australia, South Africa and England cricket boards. Also, players will be getting daily allowances and business class return tickets for the match.
All in all, BCCI has taken a step in the right direction. There has been a rapid increase in the following of Women's Cricket and this will only help in bettering Women's Cricket in India. We wish this exhibition match materialises into something big in the coming years.
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