BCCI in talks with England, Sri Lanka to resume women’s cricket : Reports

Although the BCCI AGM didn’t make any call as such, reports on ToI suggest that the board is in talks with their counterparts in England and Sri Lanka to resume international cricket for the women’s team.

It has been an anxiety-full few weeks for the Indian cricket team who haven’t had an opportunity to play any kind of cricket since the Women’s T20 Challenge last month.

In fact, it was the only cricket they have got to play since the International Women’s Day on March 8 where India took on Australia in the T20 World Cup final.

Also Read: BCCI Still Contemplating Feasibility To Host Ranji Trophy Amid Pandemic

The AGM was supposed to be a hope for the team but no concrete decision came from the BCCI boardroom officially. However, the Times of India reported that the BCCI is in talks with Sri Lanka and England to play bilateral series from March.

“The women’s team will start playing home and away from March. BCCI will try to accommodate as many tours that couldn’t happen last year,” a senior BCCI official told TOI on Thursday.

In all probability, the board is looking to organize a domestic tournament before the team can play the two aforementioned teams in March. Women’s Cricket will run concurrently with the IPL, in a deviation from the norm, and the domestic season might continue till July to make up for the lost time due to the pandemic.

BCCI to pay the players directly this year

Instead of going through the state associations – a process that generally takes a bit more time – players will be paid directly by the BCCI. The board has already worked out the modalities for the same and will implement it from this year.

“The modalities are worked out. But it is better to pay the players directly as it is done with match fees. There could be a pool of players from states and the board will pay them,” the official said.