Ellyse Perry, who is regarded as arguably the greatest women’s all-rounder ever, feels that the women’s Indian Premier League (IPL) is the next frontier in competitions for women’s cricket all around the world. She has called upon the BCCI to pull the trigger for organizing a women’s IPL after the success of the women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) and the recently concluded The Hundred.
Since 2018, BCCI has been conducting, Women’s T20 Challenge (3 teams), in parallel with the concluding stages of the men’s IPL. However, this year’s edition has been postponed due to COVID-19 with no decision on re-scheduled dates yet.
Ellyse Perry wants BCCI to organize a women’s IPL
“I know there’s been a lot of dabbling with it in terms of exhibition IPL matches for women. So, at some point, it’s about pulling the trigger and putting together a full competition. And hopefully, that’s not too far off. I’m sure the Indian girls would absolutely love that to be the case,” Ellyse was quoted as saying by The Sydney Morning Herald on Sunday.
“It’s been wonderful having a number of them playing in the WBBL over the last few years. At this stage, it’s looking like they’ll be involved again this year. So reciprocally it’d be wonderful to be involved in a competition over there. The IPL takes precedence in men’s cricket. And I think it’s got the capacity to be just as big in many ways in the women’s game,” added Ellyse.
Wonderful to see support and investment by CA and ECB for women’s cricket: Ellyse Perry
“I actually think it is even more so an encouragement for other boards to seriously look at introducing professional women’s T20 competitions, particularly the BCCI and a full IPL for women. Because there is a wonderful opportunity there and it’s increasingly becoming a great commercial opportunity for cricket boards to bring in a women’s side of the competition,” she said.
“Not just from a spectacle or entertainment point of view. But also because growing the game in their country. And getting more young girls playing cricket and being involved is so important to the viability of the sport in the future.”
“So, to me, that’s the role that those competitions play. And it’s really wonderful to see how much time and support and investment Cricket Australia have put into the WBBL and also the ECB with The Hundred and before that the Super League. The more we can have these competitions spring up around the world, I think it’s fair to say the next frontier is an IPL.”
