Women's IPL set to start early next year; Sourav Ganguly conveys to state units

Women’s T20 cricket in India is expected to break the glass ceiling as the much-awaited inaugural edition of the women’s Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to start early next year.

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly confirmed the decision in an email to state associations stating the board’s ambitious plans to introduce the T20 tournament for women’s cricket.

"The BCCI is currently working on the much-awaited women's IPL. We are expecting to start the first season early next year. More details will follow in due course," Ganguly wrote in his email. The Board has already earmarked the February-March window for next year’s WIPL and a formal go-ahead is expected after the Annual General Meeting next month.

Alongside the Women's IPL, the board also plans to introduce an Under-15 tournament for girls that would help develop their skills at the grassroot level. "Women's cricket has seen phenomenal growth across the world, and our national team has been performing well. This new tournament will create a pathway for our girls to play at the international level," Ganguly added.

The BCCI had introduced a Women's T20 Challenge in 2018 which had 3 teams playing a round-robin group followed by a final during the playoffs leg of the men's IPL. But the board now plans to go big.

Also read : BCCI announces Harmanpreet Kaur-led squad for Women's Asia Cup, this is when India play Pakistan