The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is likely to stick to three teams for the Women’s T20 Challenge tournament, which is usually organized during the Indian Premier League (IPL) play-offs.
Last year, the BCCI had planned to increase the women’s exhibition event to four teams in the United Arab Emirates, but the Coronavirus outbreak forced it to continue with three teams and this year also, the tournament is highly likely to be a three-team affair due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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On Monday (April 12), a BCCI official has revealed that the Indian cricket board is planning to have a three-team affair this year too with the matches likely to be held in the national capital Delhi.
Last year, the Women’s T20 Challenge was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was held in the September-November window, but the Australian players were unavailable for the competition since the exhibition event clashed with the Women's Big Bash League in the 2020 season.
However, this year they can be available for the Women’s T20 Challenge as the BCCI official has revealed that the talks are on with the leading Australian and England players for the event.
A BCCI official told Press Trust of India on Monday (April 12): “As of now, the plan is to have three teams. A final decision will be taken shortly. There is a good chance that it will be held in Delhi. Talks are on with the leading Australian and England players.”
The last edition of the Women’s T20 Challenge was held in Sharjah alongside the men’s IPL play-offs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi with the three teams led by Mithali Raj (Velocity), Harmanpreet Kaur (Supernovas), Smriti Mandhana (Trailblazers) in the four games in the UAE.
Noteworthy, the decision regarding the Women’s T20 Challenge 2021 will be taken during BCCI's Apex Council meeting on April 16. The appointment of the Indian women's team support staff and its Future Tours Programme will also be discussed during the upcoming meeting.
(With PTI Inputs)
