Women's IPL exhibition games to be held in Jaipur

There will be a total of four games, featuring three teams — Supernovas, Trailblazers and Velocity. The four matches are likely to be slotted for an 8pm start.

The Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur will host all the women's exhibition games this year.

The Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur will be hosting the women’s T20 exhibition matches from May 6-10.

There will be a total of four games, featuring three teams — Supernovas, Trailblazers and Velocity.

The three teams will square off against each other in a round-robin league before heading to the final.

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Though the first match on May 6 is clashing with the Lok Sabha elections, the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) has got the required clearance from the authorities.

Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur led the two sides — The Trailblazers and The Supernovas — for the one-off match last year.

 

“We have got all the clearances and the women’s games will be held here. We are awaiting more details from the BCCI. Since we are already hosting IPL games, we are ready with preparations,” RCA secretary, Mahendra Nahar, told  Sportstar .

Top officials in the BCCI have confirmed that Jaipur was chosen as the venue keeping the logistics in mind. “With the elections, we need to keep every factor in mind. We were looking at playing all the matches in a single venue and that’s where Jaipur fitted in,” the Board official said.

Last year, the one-off Women’s T20 Challenge was held at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai ahead of the IPL Qualifier.

Two teams — Supernovas and Trailblazers — had featured in the tournament. Despite top players featuring in the game and the match telecast live on television, half the stands were empty mainly because it had a 2pm start.

This time, overseas players from nearly six countries will feature in the tournament. Last year, the Board had only invited players from Australia, England and New Zealand, apart from India regulars.

“This time, we have invited more players and hopefully, it will be a success,” the Board official said.

Though there has been no official statement from the Board yet, the RCA officials have confirmed that all the four games will be played under the lights. “As of now, we have been told that the matches will be held from 8pm. We hope to get a clearer picture in the next couple of days,” the RCA official said.

Jaipur is one of the eight IPL venues and is a home base for Rajasthan Royals.