The women’s cricket has been largely hit by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. A couple of series has been called off with the women’s IPL also in jeopardy. But BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has confirmed that Women’s IPL or the Women’s T20 Challenge is ‘very much on.’
As per reports, IPL 2020 will run from September 19 to November 8 or 10 in the UAE. The apex body had to shift the tournament out of India due to the growing number of active COVID-19 cases.
While the IPL Governing Council meet later today (August 2) to finalise on the schedule ad other logistics, BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has confirmed that Women’s T20 Challenge will fit in the schedule. However, the former India skipper didn’t divulge further on the tournament.
Women’s T20 Challenge is on – Sourav Ganguly
“I can confirm to you that the women’s IPL is very much on and we do have a plan in place for the national team also,” Ganguly said.
However, a report in ESPNCricinfo suggests that the women’s T20 matches will take place during the last phase of IPL, like last year. He also said that there will be a camp comprising of the centrally contracted players before the Women’s T20 Challenge.
“The women’s Challenger series is likely to be held between November 1-10 and there could be a camp before that,” ESPNCricinfo quoted a source as saying.
Sourav Ganguly also confirmed that there will be a camp for the women cricketers. BCCI had to delay the camp for a long time due to the prevailing COVID-19 situations in the country.
“We couldn’t have exposed any of our cricketers – be it male or female to health risk. It would have been dangerous,” Ganguly said. “The NCA also remained shut because of Covid-19. But we have a plan in place and we will have a camp for women, I can tell you that,” he added.
The BCCI President also said that they are planning for two full-fledged ODI series against South Africa and West Indies before ODI World Cup in New Zealand next year.