BCCI to plan launch of Women's IPL in Governing Council meeting

The Women's IPL will be discussed in the tournament's Governing Council meeting on Monday (March 28) in Mumbai. Reportedly, the Indian Premier League (IPL) media rights for the 2023-27 cycle will also be deliberated. 

After 15 years since its inception, the media rights of the IPL will go on sale. In addition, the invitation-to-tender (ITT) for the next four-year cycle is likely to be brought out next week. 

One of the major agendas of this meeting will be hosting the women's IPL. The board this year plans to host the Women'sWomen's T20 Challenge in Pune in May while the plan is to launch a full-fledged women's IPL next year. 

According to the sources, the board is expected to come up with a road map and it will be discussed in the meeting as reported by Female Cricket.

"The BCCI is serious about hosting a full-fledged IPL within a year or so, and keeping that in mind, the efforts are on to put together everything so that we have a smooth sailing. The governing council will discuss all the aspects in the meeting and then take a call on the road ahead," a source in the Board said. "The BCCI teams are in touch with several stakeholders and hopefully soon, there will be a proper plan about how to go ahead," the BCCI's source added. 

Last month, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly confirmed the board's plans to launch a proper women's IPL. After years of discussion, it is believed that the BCCI is already in the planning stage to make the WIPL happen. 

Meanwhile, the fifteenth edition of the IPL is all set to start on March 26 with a match between the defending champions Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders in Mumbai. This year's IPL will not have any usual grand opening ceremony considering the COVID-19 protocols.