India top-order batter and a chirpy customer on and off the field, Jemimah Rodriguez has demanded a Women’s IPL to be held in India. The Mumbai born, currently playing in The Hundred Women’s competition feels that a global T20 tournament could a go long way in changing the outlook of the women’s game in India.
“When we see the WBBL (Women’s Big Bash League) happening, then the KSL (Kia Super League which is now replaced by Women’s Hundred) and now the Hundred, we are all like, when will we have our own IPL? It is going to make women’s cricket better. Imagine, the domestic girls here in England, the kind of experience they are having, sharing dressing rooms with international players. There is so much to learn,” Rodrigues was quoted as saying to BBC.
The 20-year-old, who did not play even a single game on India Women’s tour of England in June-July, has now become the highest run-scorer in The Hundred, scoring 249 runs in just seven innings at an average of 41.50 and a strike rate of more than 150. Thus Jemimah understood what it is like to have a tournament where you regularly play at the highest level and feels that such a tournament will only improve the condition and stature of Indian domestic cricket as far as the Women’s game is concerned.
“Once they realise that OK, this is the standard, this is what I need to go out and do, they will want to work harder and work better. That’s very important in India because there is a lot of gap between the domestic and international sides in India,” said the Northern Superchargers player, who still co-holds the record for the highest individual score by any player (men or women) in The Hundred. She scored unbeaten 92 against Welsh Fire Women.
“In every street in India, you see boys and girls playing cricket – there isn’t any shortage of future players! I think it’s high time we had an IPL,” Jemimah added.
Earlier another Indian player, Smriti Mandhana, who was part of The Hundred as well, said that a six-team Women’s IPL should be started by BCCI.