It was as if the domestic cricketing calendar in India went for a toss, thanks to restrictions due to COVID-19. However, after a break of almost a year, India’s domestic season kick-started with Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy that began earlier this month. Despite this, the fate of India’s premier domestic event, the Ranji Trophy, still remains undecided.
In a meeting which was attended by the BCCI Apex Council members on Sunday, many issues were discussed, including women’s cricket. Though there was a lack of consensus as far as scheduling the men’s domestic competitions, the BCCI Apex Council agreed to start the women’s domestic season in the country. Women’s competitions are expected to start from March, with senior cricket being given priority. This news comes as music to the ears of not only the incumbent women players but also of former players and women’s cricket fans.
“It is likely to be a full-fledged domestic season for women and there will be finally some cricket for our international stars with Sri Lanka and South Africa coming to India,” the official said.
There has been no action for Indian women’s cricket apart from the Women’s World T20 that was played in March 2020 and the six-day Women’s T20 Challenge that was played in Sharjah in November 2020. Though the Women in Blue made it to the finals and garnered a lot of respect and popularity, being out of action for such a long while has done no good for them.
434 and counting..
The number of days since our Women in Blue played their last ODI Match.
The last ODI match was on 6th November 2019. 🤦 pic.twitter.com/rlKPqhjPCf
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) January 13, 2021
In view of this and to bring women’s cricket back on track again, the BCCI has also approached Sri Lanka and South Africa. If everything works out well there could be some international action in the form of bilateral series. If things fall in place, there will be a home series that is likely to be played in February.
The much anticipated scheduled tour of India Women to Australia in January was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions. Though the Men in Blue traveled Down Under and created history by getting the better of hosts, the Women in Blue will have to wait to get their chance.
I am a former cricketer having represented Mumbai University at All India University level. I was a part of MCA probables for the U-19 and U-23 age group. I have been an avid cricket writer for the last five years. Currently I am pursuing my Ph.D from IIT Bombay.