BCCI has no road map to promote women’s cricket

New Delhi : So, what’s next for the Indian women’s cricket team that made the final of the World Cup? And what lies in store for several young girls who want to play for the country? Sadly, cricket administrators have no answers to these crucial questions, at least right now.  The Committee of Administrators (CoA) and women cricketers hope the Indian cricket board (BCCI) will ensure that the wave of popularity the women cricket is riding at present does not fizzle out. The board, caught in a fight for survival in the wake of the Lodha Committee’s recommendations, doesn’t seem to have women’s cricket on its priority list, so much so that nobody knows when the women’s team will play their next match. “We don’t know when we would assemble for our next series,” said a member of the World Cup squad.
A BCCI office-bearer said: “Everyone is looking to save his chair at the moment. We don’t know who will be in, and who will be out. We are uncertain of our own future, so how can we promise something to the women’s team.”
The World Cup squad was felicitated by the board in New Delhi today; each player was given a cheque for Rs 50 lakh. Later, Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu announced Rs 13 lakh each for the 10 players employed with the department.
Demand for women’s IPL
Following India’s spirited performance in the World Cup, the demand for starting an IPL-like tournament for women is growing. Besides, women cricketers want a Future Tours Programme (FTP) in place, as is there for their male counterparts. “If women’s IPL happens, players from other countries will come and play here. Sharing the dressing room with international players will boost the confidence of local players,” said Harmanpreet Kaur. “Similarly, more international fixtures will help the team prepare for the next World Cup.”
Edulji wants league next year
CoA member and former India captain Diana Edulji advocated the need for a T20 league and an organised tournament calendar. “Apart from felicitations, cash awards and government jobs, where are we heading next? Is this all we want, or do we want to build on this momentum?” Edulji asked. Edulji knows she doesn’t have much time to turn her ideas into reality since CoA isn’t going to last forever. “In 3-4 months, I would like to put in place a system for women cricketers. Maybe, by next year, BCCI would be able to start a T20 league (for them),” said Edulji.
No talent pool, sponsors
It’s not going to be easy, though. BCCI cites the lack of a talent pool in women’s cricket as a stumbling block to start a T20 league. “Name 30 Indian women cricketers who we can put in the players’ auction in case we start the league? Apart from these 15-20 girls, no other name comes to mind. Also, there are no sponsors. Corporates are not ready yet to invest in these girls. These girls can play the Big Bash League in Australia like Harmanpreet and Smriti Mandhana,” said a BCCI official.