The long wait for the Women’s Indian Premier League to get underway is finally nearing an end. As reported earlier, the BCCI has reserved a window in March 2023 for the inaugural women’s IPL, and the process to get the show on the road is underway.
Rajasthan Royals Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Jake Lush McCrum in conversation with Wisden India this year said, “We’d love to have a women’s IPL team when it launches next year. We’re definitely very interested to expand our franchise base.” And now, Hayley Matthews, who a few days back led Rajasthan Royal’s sister franchise ‘Barbados Royals’ to the title win in the inaugural edition of The 6ixty has expressed her desire to play for Rajasthan Royal’s in the W-IPL.
In an official statement released by Barbados Royals, Hayley Matthews said, “For sure, I would love to play for the Royals. I’ve experienced an amazing atmosphere with the working group present at the franchise, and they are always very supportive of the girls. Their investment in women’s cricket is appreciable, and I think such investments being made in the right places is what our game needs.”
She continued, “Rajasthan Royals have also been my favourites because of Jofra, Oshane Thomas and Obed McCoy. Hence, I would love to continue being a part of the Royals family, and hopefully, I can get to the stadiums donning pink at the women’s IPL next year.”
A name more who publicly has expressed their desire to play for a franchise is Jemimah Rodrigues. The most successful franchise in the men’s IPL event, Mumbai Indian, extended Birthday wishes to Jemimah Rodrigues who today turn 22 and in reply, she Tweeted, “Thank you! You guys better pick me up for the Women’s IPL… just saying 😌💙.”
To add on about the W-IPL, it is understood that the existing IPL franchises are to be given the first right of denying when it comes to buying teams and a lot more on and around the topic is expected to be discussed in the upcoming annual general meeting this month (September).
Tweets Exchanged between Jemimah Rodrigues and Mumbai Indians
Jemimah Rodrigues wants to be a part of MI Paltan 💙@mipaltan you guys listening? 😃#mumbaiindians #JemimahRodrigues pic.twitter.com/FjRWDU6bSX
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) September 5, 2022