BCCI chief Sourav Ganguly confirms Women’s IPL

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Image Courtesy: BCCI/Gulf News

All the rumours and guesswork going on around regarding Women’s IPL is now over, as BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has confirmed today that the much awaited tournament will be taking place. The four team tournament, also knows as the Women’s T20 Challenge and the Challenger series, will be having its third season this year. The camps are also confirmed to be set up by November.

Image Courtesy: BCCI/Gulf News

Back in February, the Women’s T20 Challenge was confirmed to feature four teams this year. After months of uncertainty amidst the novel Coronavirus pandemic in India, the tournament’s decision comes on the heels of the men’s IPL confirmation.

2020 Women’s T20 Challenge: Sourav Ganguly confirms Women’s IPL is ‘very much on’

The Women’s tournament will be scheduled in accordance to the men’s IPL 2020, which will take place in UAE between 19th September and 10th November. The confirmation came from Sourav Ganguly himself, before the commencement of the IPL Governing Council meeting on Sunday.

“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 spoke to PTI prior to the GC meeting.

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The surge of COVID-19 cases in India was the main factor for the men’s IPL to be shifted to the United Arab Emirates, second time the tournament saw an abroad venue since the 2009 edition in South Africa. It was also the factor behind the delay in confirmation of the  Challenger series, which saw its last two editions hosted in India.

Image Courtesy: Sportzpics

“We couldn’t have exposed any of our cricketers — be it male or female to health risk,” Dada continued, “It would have been dangerous. The NCA also remained shut because of COVID-19.”

Although, the former Men in Blue captain said there are intentions to set up a camp for the women cricketers.

“But we have a plan in place and we will have a camp for women, I can tell you that.” Ganguly added.

While the BCCI prez did not confirm any possible dates for the Challenger series, internal sources confirmed that the tournament will likely be held between 1st to 10th November, similar to how the previous editions have taken place during Playoff and Finals week of men’s IPLs. However, the venues have not been revealed yet.

The 2020 Women’s T20 Challenge will feature four teams. The two time champions Supernovas team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, and the Trailblazers, captained by Smriti Mandhana will join up with former Women in Blue skipper Mithali Raj’s team Velocity from 2019, and one yet to be named fourth team included this year.

The Supernovas are the two time champions of Women’s T20 Challenge. (Image Courtesy: IPL)

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