BCCI releases invite for Rights to own franchise in inaugural Women's IPL

Still from last year's Women's T20 Challenge

What comes as a major development, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has released the invitations for businesses/ firms to buy franchises for the inaugural edition of the Women's Indian Premier League. 

BCCI has released a media release and said: "The detailed terms and conditions governing the tender process including eligibility requirements, process for submissions of bids, proposed team’s rights and obligations, etc. are contained in the ‘Invitation to Tender’ which will be made available on receipt of payment of a non-refundable fee of INR 5,00,000 plus any applicable Goods and Services Tax."

The Indian board had been planning to launch the much-anticipated league in 2023. Meanwhile, many BCCI’s dignitaries have also hinted about planning the WIPL. 

The Indian governing body already owns the richest Men’s T20 tournament in the world, however; they have been consistently criticised for not hosting an IPL-like league for the women cricketers.

Nations like Australia and England already have leagues for female cricketers. Meanwhile, Pakistan Cricket Board had earlier also announced a franchise-modelled league for their women cricketers. 

It is understood that the BCCI wants to sell five franchises for women’s IPL and more than five IPL franchise owners are interested in picking up teams at the moment. 

The inaugural edition of the league is reportedly set to take place in February-March this year, before the start of the IPL.

At the moment, the closest thing to WIPL - that the Indian ladies have - is the Women’s T20 Challenge, which takes place during the business end of BCCI's cash-rich league. 

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