Former India wicketkeeper-batter Saba Karim is optimistic about the idea of a women’s Indian Premier League (IPL) and anticipates it to take place quickly. The BCCI has been planning to initiate a women’s IPL, making it a six-team tournament and thereby putting an end to the Women’s Challenger Trophy. Men’s IPL stakeholders, Punjab Kings and Chennai Super Kings among them have shown their interest in Women’s IPL and wish to bid for the teams if given the opportunity.
Karim, who served as the general manager for cricket operations at the BCCI before taking on the role of head talent scout for the Delhi Capitals of the IPL, has shared his opinion and believes that the time is right for a fully-fledged women’s IPL. “Shortly, it should come up. I am extremely hopeful that women’s IPL takes place sooner than later. The kind of voices we hear from BCCI, all augurs very well for women’s cricket. We do have these exhibition IPL matches that have been taking place for three-four years. But the time has come now to step up and have a proper women’s IPL,” Karim said. Karim, who was also a member of the senior men’s team selection committee, thinks that the women’s IPL will do wonders for the development of women’s cricket in the nation.
Several players of the national team have also expressed their desire to play a full-fledged Women’s IPL and believe that it would contribute immensely towards not just the development of the international players but also the domestic players who are working hard to earn their India call-up. “If that comes through, it will be great news for women’s cricket in India. It is growing at a very rapid pace, and to make it more constructive, to have a much better future for the women cricketers. If the IPL comes through, that will be wonderful news for women’s cricket in India,” Karim added.
