Special committee receives suggestions to take forward women’s cricket

The idea of forming the committee was essentially meant to give an impetus to domestic tournaments by creating opportunities in the under-16, under-19, under-23 and in the senior categories.

Harmanpreet Kaur and Mithali Raj are part of a commitee constituted by the BCCI to foster women's cricket in the country. (File Image)

A special women’s committee formed by the BCCI  after the Indian team’s  fine display in the recent ICC Women’s World Cup in England, had a brainstorming session at the Cricket Centre here on Wednesday.

The idea of forming the committee was essentially meant to give an impetus to domestic tournaments by creating opportunities in the under-16, under-19, under-23 and in the senior categories. Key members of the Special Committee will filter all suggestions  and prepare a draft document  for the  BCCI’s consideration. 

The Committee also received suggestions from former India player and a freelance journalist  Snehal Pradhan and Sidhanta Patnaik (Wisdenindia.com);  both of who covered the Women's World Cup. 

Among those who attended the meeting at the Cricket Centre were Prof. Ratnakar Shetty, General Manager, Game Development BCCI and in-charge of women’s cricket; CoA member Diana Edulji; Rahul Johri (CEO, BCCI), Harmanpreet Kaur, Jhulan Goswami and Hemlata Kala.

Mithali Raj, captain of the Indian team that lost the World Cup final to England, and Tushar Arothe (Coach of the Indian team) mailed their suggestions.

Cricket Boards of Australia, England, New Zealand and other stake holders are quite clear that women’s cricket can make an impact only in the short  format (50 over and Twenty20) and perhaps there is a genuine feeling now among the senior Indian players,  although some may wish to play Test cricket, that the BCCI can look at new ways to create a base for the development of women’s cricket.

One of the suggestions was to start a Twenty20 tournament in the under-23 category, which the BCCI would not find it a task to put in place. The players have also, without specifying the quantum of money, have asked for an improvement in their pay structure. Presently the BCCI has awarded central contracts to 11 women players.

The qualification process for the next ICC World Cup will begin soon and the Indian team is likely to play three one-day internationals against South Africa and host a home series against Australia next March.