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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to conduct the first women's IPL next year in March, and debate over its effect on Indian women's cricket has already started. Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur recently expressed her views on the highly anticipated league, stating that it will bridge the gap between domestic and international women cricketers.
While speaking on the Star Sports show 'Follow the Blues', Harmanpreet Kaur said that IPL will be an excellent platform for outstanding players but requires a change in approach and mindset to succeed on the international stage.
"The IPL will be a great platform for players that are really good, but you know for them, international cricket is still something that they cannot change their approach and mindset overnight. But IPL will allow them to compete against overseas players and understand the competitiveness at international cricket," Kaur said.
The star India all-rounder further admitted that domestic cricketers still feel 'extra pressure' when promoted to the international stage.
"To cut that gap, the tournament will play a major role. So, in the coming years, with the girls play in the IPL, we will definitely see some major changes in their performances," the Indian skipper added.
Meanwhile, Harmanpreet's deputy and left-handed batter Smriti Mandhana compared women's IPL with established leagues like The Hundred and the WBBL.
"Playing in leagues like IPL will give immense opportunity to the Indian women players. Grassroot-wise, we have seen how the Big Bash and The Hundred have helped Australia and England in their domestic set-up," she said.
"I am thrilled, the Indian team will benefit a lot from the women's IPL, but it's going to benefit a lot of domestic girls, which I'm looking forward to," Mandhana added.
Middle-order batter Jemimah Rodrigues also agreed with Smriti's view as she shared that women's IPL will change many things for women's cricket in India.
"This is the right time to introduce women's IPL. I am sure we are going to get so much more talent that's going to come out from here. I am confident that women's cricket in India will go to the next level after the women's IPL," Rodrigues stated.
